A family is bringing the holidays early for their 9-year-old daughter battling stage 4 cancer.
On Oct. 6, Kendra Bird — who has been sharing her daughter Brie’s cancer journey on Instagram — revealed that their family of six would celebrate Christmas the next day instead of waiting until Dec. 25, so that Brie could enjoy the special day surrounded by loved ones, according to People.
Brielle’s mother posted to Instagram and said, “Brielle started to look very pale a couple days ago, followed by a small fever, and exhaustion, which made her sad, because she wants to feel well enough to celebrate Christmas this week. We decided to get a blood transfusion so that she can hopefully have some more good days. This transfusion has already brought down her heart rate, lessened her fever, her oxygen has improved, and we’ve had great conversations! Thank you blood donors! 🩸”
“As we sat here in the hospital, she looked at her feet, and asked me if they were my feet. I squeezed her little toes, and told her that they were indeed her feet. She started to cry. 😭 It was truly heartbreaking. She can feel when I squeeze them, but she can’t move them anymore.”
“Cancer has taken so much from her. She still continues to be the most polite, kind, grateful little girl. “Thank you for doing everything you can for me mom, you’re the best mom a girl could ask for. We can’t wait to celebrate Christmas tomorrow! “
Kendra also shared a video from the Power of 10 Foundation — a group that helps families affected by childhood cancer and rare diseases — showing Santa Claus sending love and prayers to Brie and her family. The Power of 10 Foundation, founded in 2018, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families affected by childhood cancer and rare diseases. The foundation provides financial assistance for essentials such as medical bills, housing, and food, while also sending care packages and organizing special “activity days” to bring joy to children undergoing treatment. In addition, it offers extra support like meals and companion service dogs to help ease the burden on families. Beyond direct aid, the foundation raises awareness and funding for research through public outreach and education. True to its name, the “$10 Foundation” highlights that even small donations can make a meaningful difference in the lives of these families.
v
Earlier in the week, Kendra posted a photo of their family, writing that it was taken on September 21, the last time Brie had the strength to stand. “Things changed so quickly,” she reflected, expressing disbelief at how much her daughter’s health had declined in such a short time.
Brie’s story has touched many people online, with nearly a million followers following her journey on Instagram. Earlier this year, pop star Ariana Grande surprised her with a special care package filled with Wicked-themed gifts. The package included plush toys, OPI nail polish inspired by the movie, pink zip-up bags, a tote, makeup from Grande’s R.E.M. beauty line, and a bottle of her Cloud perfume. Grande also included a note saying she had heard about Brie’s love for Wicked and wanted to send something special to lift her spirits.
