Brie Bird dies at 9 after long battle with neuroblastoma cancer: Understanding one of the most aggressive childhood cancers

9-year-old social media star Brie Bird, who inspired millions through her health journey, has passed away after a five-year battle with stage-4 cancer. Brie was living with a recurring form of Neuroblastoma cancer. She died on Thursday December 11, 2025. Her family shared the news of her demise on Instagram. The young influencer documented her life on social media with the username @briestrongerthancancer and had over 650,000 followers on Instagram. Brie was initially diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in 2020. Her cancer went into remission two years later, though it returned in January 2024.

Brie was battling with NeuroblastomaBrie was battling with a rare and aggressive childhood cancer called Neuroblastoma, which is a very rare type of childhood cancer that develops in immature nerve cells of the sympathetic nervous system outside the brain.

Most often this cancer forms in the adrenal glands above the kidneys, but it can also appear in the neck, chest, abdomen, or spine. As per Mayo Clinic, Neuroblastoma mostly affects children age 5 or younger. Symptoms vary, depending on where it occurs in the body. Neuroblastoma treatment options As per Mayo Clinic, some forms of neuroblastoma may go away on their own. Other forms of neuroblastoma need treatment. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and bone marrow transplant are some of the treatment options for Neuroblastoma. Brie was treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and also bone marrow transplant, as per the information shared by her family on fundraising pages. As per NIH, chemotherapy is the mainstay of the treatment of children with advanced neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma remission After initial treatment, Brie was declared cancer-free, however, after almost two years, neuroblastoma has returned. According to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, signs and symptoms of relapse will vary depending on the site of the primary tumor and how much it has spread. Relapse is often detected on imaging scans when there are no symptoms at all. Pain is the most common sign of relapse, but there are many potential symptoms, ranging from fatigue to new areas of swelling.Symptoms of neuroblastomaAccording to Cleveland Clinic, Neuroblastoma symptoms vary depending on the tumor’s location and the stage of the disease. Most often, cancer has spread to other parts of the body by the time signs appear. Symptoms include:

Battling with Neuroblastoma demands both physical and mental toll on the child’s body. Brie’s resilient journey was not just about the cancer, it was about courage and awareness. Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be substituted for professional advice.