Brielle Bird, known online as Brie, was a 9-year-old social media star who died on Thursday, December 11 after a longstanding battle with stage 4 neuroblastoma, her family announced. Her public fight with cancer — first diagnosed in 2020 when she was 4 — drew millions of followers and a nationwide outpouring of support.
- Age: 9
- Diagnosis: Stage 4 neuroblastoma (first diagnosed 2020)
- Date of death: Thursday, December 11
- GoFundMe: raised more than $16,000 (264+ donations)
- SupportNow: raised more than $63,000 (542 donations)
- Instagram handle: @briestrongerthancancer (1M+ followers)
The family announced Brie’s passing in an emotional Instagram statement on Friday, describing her as a “miracle” whose purpose had been fulfilled. In the hours since the news, fundraising pages created to support the Bird family have continued to receive donations and messages of condolence.
The GoFundMe campaign, started in January 2024 by Kristen Mills on behalf of Brielle’s mother Kendra Bird, was originally set with a $10,000 goal and has since raised more than $16,000 from over 264 donors. A separate SupportNow fundraiser has raised more than $63,000 from more than 542 donations as grieving communities look to help cover expenses and care for the family.
Kristen Mills wrote when launching the fundraiser: “After being in remission for almost a year and a half, the cancer has returned and has been so heart shattering for the whole family in multiple capacities. Ever since day one Brielle has been a fighter and she will continue to be! Hope will never cease for the Bird family!”
Brielle’s family used Instagram — @briestrongerthancancer — to document her diagnosis, treatment, remission in 2022, and the heartbreaking recurrence announced in January 2024. That transparency helped Brie become a symbol of hope for families facing pediatric cancer and grew her following to more than one million people who tracked her journey.
One of the most uplifting moments of Brie’s public fight came in August when superstar Ariana Grande surprised the young girl with a package of gifts, including items from the musical Wicked and a collection of Squishmallows. In an unboxing video Brie expressed her gratitude: “Thank you so, so, so, so much, Ariana Grande. I love everything in the package that you got, especially the Squishmallows and everything else.” Grande called Brie “the most amazing, most inspiring little light beam in this universe.”
The Legacy
Brielle’s short life left a measurable impact. Her top achievements and moments include:
- Building @briestrongerthancancer into a seven-figure reach — more than one million followers who followed her journey and spread awareness of pediatric cancer.
- Mobilizing significant grassroots support — GoFundMe and SupportNow campaigns together raised tens of thousands to help the family during treatment and after her passing.
- High-profile recognition and kindness from stars like Ariana Grande, who gifted Brie and publicly celebrated her courage, bringing national attention to her story.
Social proof: Tributes and reactions
Tributes flooded Brie’s family post. JoJo Siwa commented: “Sweetest baby. Sending so so much love to all of you. You gave her the best life🤍 Heaven gained a beautiful little girl❤️🩹.” Candace Cameron Bure wrote: “We love you all. What an incredible family you are. Brielle left a legacy on earth and now she dances in heaven.” Other public reactions included messages from Hilaria Thomas Baldwin, celebrity chef Penny Davidi — who shared a personal condolence after losing her daughter — and internet survivor and personality Tia Stokes, who wrote: “She’s dancing 😭🕊️❤️ I love you family.”
Local and national figures also urged support for the Bird family. Emmy-winning anchor Ryan Wolf publicly encouraged donations to the GoFundMe, and hundreds of commenters echoed that call with memorials, prayers, and shared memories of Brie’s courage. The family’s statement closed with a faith-filled message: they will “never stop sharing your story” and will keep Brie’s light in their home and hearts.
As donations continue and tributes arrive from across the internet and entertainment world, Brielle Bird’s story remains a reminder of the real human lives behind viral followings — a young girl whose joy and bravery inspired millions and whose family now leans on that community as they grieve.
For those who want to help, the GoFundMe and SupportNow pages remain active; supporters have used both to send financial assistance and messages of love to Kendra Bird and the family.
Image Referance: https://www.primetimer.com/news/brielle-bird-gofundme-raises-over-16-000-for-family-of-9-year-old-social-media-star-who-died-following-cancer-battle