Influencer Brie Bird’s mom is sharing a deeply emotional health update about her daughter, giving fans and followers insight into her ongoing battle, which has touched the hearts of thousands around the world. Brie’s journey has been a rollercoaster of hope, fear, courage, and love, and her family has been transparent about every step, hoping to inspire and support others who are facing similar challenges.
On Monday, Oct. 27, Kendra Bird posted a touching family photo on Instagram, providing an update that her 9-year-old daughter, who is bravely fighting stage 4 cancer, “has been sleeping for most of the week, she’s retaining water in her face, feet and belly, she doesn’t eat anymore, and is on oxygen pretty regularly.” The post painted a vivid picture of the physical challenges Brie is currently enduring, and fans quickly flooded the comments with messages of love, prayers, and virtual hugs, showing the immense support surrounding her family.
“As much as I want the miracle so badly, I feel like the ‘realistic’ part of my mind is grasping for my heart, trying to pull it back into my chest, and tell my soul that I need to surrender,” Kendra continued on social media, sharing the emotional toll of caring for her daughter. “I’m hurting. Every day feels heavy.” Her words resonated deeply with parents everywhere, many of whom expressed their own struggles with balancing hope and acceptance in the face of life-threatening illness.
Brie was first diagnosed with stage 4 cancer five years ago, a revelation that shattered her family’s world and forever changed their lives. She was placed in hospice care earlier this year as her illness progressed, a decision made to ensure she remained as comfortable as possible. Throughout this difficult journey, her mom has documented Brie’s fight on Instagram under the handle “briestrongerthancancer,” which now has nearly 1 million devoted followers who have been inspired by her resilience, her positivity, and her unwavering spirit. The account has become a source of support for families going through similar battles, offering honesty, hope, and a sense of community in the darkest of times.
In her latest health update, Kendra recounted a particularly poignant conversation she had with her daughter, a moment that captured both the innocence and profound insight of a child facing mortality.
“As I sat by Brielle’s bedside one morning, she turned over and said, ‘Someone is talking to me from heaven, an older person, I don’t know if it was a grandma or grandpa; they said my name,’ ” Kendra shared. “I, of course, put on my brave face, and asked her what else the angels are saying to her. She couldn’t keep her eyes open for long, but reassured me that she would let me know what else they say.” The story went viral among fans, with many expressing awe at Brie’s gentle, spiritual experience and her unique connection to the world around her, despite her illness.
Earlier in October, the Bird family celebrated Christmas several months early, a heartwarming effort to create joyful memories for Brie, after Kendra revealed that her daughter’s health had “taken a turn.”
“We decided to get a blood transfusion so that she can hopefully have some more good days,” Kendra wrote on Instagram at the time. “This transfusion has already brought down her heart rate, lessened her fever, her oxygen has improved, and we’ve had great conversations!” The update reflected the family’s relentless hope and commitment to making every moment count, emphasizing how even small victories, like improved oxygen levels or lighter fevers, became reasons to celebrate and cherish life.
Brie’s story has also captured the attention of celebrities, highlighting how her courage has resonated far beyond her immediate community. Pop singer Ariana Grande, known for her generosity and compassion, sent a special care package in August, full of “Wicked”-themed goodies to honor Brie’s love for the movie-musical. The thoughtful box included plush characters from The Wizard of Oz, OPI nail polish inspired by Wicked, two bold pink zip-up bags, a tote, some makeup from Grande’s beauty brand R.E.M., and a bottle of Grande’s Cloud Perfume.
“Thank you so, so, so, so much, Ariana Grande,” Brie said in a heartfelt video thanking the singer. “I love everything in the package that you got, especially the Squishmallows and everything else. And I love that perfume, by the way.” The heartfelt message highlighted Brie’s enduring positivity and her ability to find joy even during the most challenging times. Fans around the world shared videos and comments celebrating the special gift, showing the incredible ripple effect that Brie’s story has had on people of all ages.
The Bird family’s transparency has helped raise awareness about pediatric cancer, hospice care, and the emotional toll it takes on families, while also celebrating the power of community, compassion, and small acts of kindness. Through Kendra’s posts, followers have witnessed the immense strength, courage, and resilience both Brie and Kendra continue to show each day. The updates serve as both a chronicle of a young girl’s battle and a testament to the love that surrounds her — a love that transcends illness and inspires those who follow their journey.