Breaking: Brielle “Brie” Bird, 9, has died after a fierce fight with stage 4 neuroblastoma. Her family announced her passing on Thursday, December 11, 2025. They honored her wish to remain at home, surrounded by love and comfort. Today, we remember a child who used her voice to teach the world about courage, community, and care.
Who Brielle Was, and What Her Journey Teaches Us
Brie was diagnosed in 2020 with an aggressive form of childhood cancer. She later reached remission around 2022. Her cancer returned in January 2024. In July 2025, she entered pediatric hospice care at home. Even as her health declined, she kept singing, smiling, and connecting with others.
In October 2025, Brie was crowned Little Miss America Princess. The sash did not erase her pain, but it did lift her spirit. It gave her one more day of joy. Moments like these matter. They remind us that dignity, choice, and delight belong in serious illness.
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Understanding Neuroblastoma
Neuroblastoma starts in nerve tissue. It often begins in the adrenal glands, but it can appear in the chest, neck, or pelvis. It is one of the most common cancers in very young children. Many cases are found after the disease has already spread.
Symptoms can be vague. A child may have belly swelling, bone pain, bruising, fatigue, or weight loss. Some children need oxygen as breathing gets harder. Others have trouble eating because tumors press on organs or because treatment side effects make swallowing painful.
Treatment depends on stage and risk. Care teams use surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and sometimes stem cell transplant. Some children reach remission. Some relapse. Relapse is not a failure. It is a feature of this disease that scientists are still working to defeat.
Call a pediatrician promptly if a child has ongoing belly swelling, unexplained bone pain, unusual bruising, lasting fatigue, or weight loss.
What Pediatric Hospice Really Means
Pediatric hospice is not giving up. It is shifting the goal from cure to comfort, and it can start months before the last day. The focus is pain control, breath support, restful sleep, and emotional care for the entire family. Nurses adjust medicines for comfort. Social workers help with school and sibling support. Chaplains and counselors help families honor wishes and make memories.
Brie chose to stay at home. That choice is central in hospice. Children deserve a voice in their care, in age-appropriate ways. Families deserve time to just be together. Home hospice allows both.
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If a child you love is in hospice, ask the care team for a comfort plan you can follow at home. Include pain cues, dosing guides, and who to call 24 or 7.
How You Can Support Families Facing Childhood Cancer
Support is not one big act. It is many small, steady acts. Practical help makes a hard day easier.
- Drop off meals in freezer-safe portions. Add labels with ingredients.
- Offer rides to appointments, or set up a carpool.
- Send flexible gift cards for groceries and pharmacy needs.
- Check on siblings with playdates, homework help, and quiet time.
Grief is heavy and complex. If you are struggling, talk with a counselor or a trusted clinician. In the United States, you can call or text 988 for 24 or 7 emotional support if you feel overwhelmed or in crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is neuroblastoma in simple terms?
A: It is a childhood cancer that starts in early nerve cells. It can grow in the abdomen or chest, and it can spread to bones and marrow.
Q: Can neuroblastoma return after remission?
A: Yes. Some children relapse months or years later. That is why follow-up scans and clinic visits matter, even when a child feels well.
Q: What does pediatric hospice provide at home?
A: Hospice teams manage pain, breathing, nausea, and anxiety. They support sleep, nutrition, and family routines. They also help with memory-making and spiritual care.
Q: How do I talk to my child about a classmate’s death?
A: Use clear, gentle words. Answer questions honestly. Keep routines when possible. Invite feelings, and check in often. Let teachers and counselors know.
Q: How can I help advance care for children like Brie?
A: Donate to established pediatric cancer charities. Give blood and platelets. Join a bone marrow registry if you qualify. Advocate for research funding.
A Final Word
Brie lived with open hands and a brave heart. She sang when speaking hurt. She smiled when her body was tired. Her story is a call to care for children with better science, kinder systems, and deeper compassion. May her memory be a blessing, and a spark for action.
