A 10-year-old girl from Swift Current, Sask., who attracted millions of followers while sharing her health story online has died.
Bella Thomson, who went by Bella Brave on social media, was born with several rare health conditions.
Her mother, Kyla Thomson, confirmed to CBC Saskatchewan that Bella died on Sunday after being placed in a medically-induced coma.
She was being treated at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, also known as SickKids.
“Bella passed peacefully in our arms,” wrote Thomson in an Instagram post. “Please keep her name on your lips, her memories alive and her bravery in your hearts.”
A 10-year-old known for her inspiring TikToks has died after a years-long health journey. Bella Thomson, known as Bella Brave to her 7 million followers, died on Sunday while in hospital in Toronto. The Swift Current, Sask., girl had unexpected lung issues.
‘Bella defined the word Brave’
The news of Bella’s death has led to an outpouring of grief and support for the Thomson family.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday morning, writing that Bella’s “impact will always be remembered.”
Posts have also come from several Saskatchewan sports teams and the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation, for which Bella served as an ambassador.
“Bella defined the word Brave in how she encouraged others at difficult times,” wrote the Foundation on X.
Today we celebrate the life of Isabella Thomson (Bella Brave), an incredible advocate for kids with complex medical needs and ambassador for JPCHF. Bella defined the word BRAVE in how she encouraged others at difficult times, inspiring hope in every person she met. pic.twitter.com/sQPphDbi6z
Jennifer Draper founded a Saskatchewan program for families who have children with rare diseases and disabilities called Little Wonders Family Program.
She made an emotional post on Instagram describing the impact Bella had on her and her family.
“You were one of the very first Little Wonders in my program, and you are forever a Little Wonder in our hearts,” she wrote.
Born with rare health conditions
Bella Thomson was born with three rare conditions: dwarfism, severe combined immunodeficiency and Hirschsprung’s disease, which affects the bowel.
In 2023, Bella Thomson underwent a bowel transplant after spending years waiting for an organ donation.
According to her mother, she spent more than 1,000 nights in hospital over the course of her life.
She became well-known on TikTok in 2021, as the mother-daughter team shared updates while keeping their spirits up through repeated hospitalizations, procedures and surgeries.
WATCH | After spending three years on the transplant list, Bella Brave received her bowel transplant in 2023. It’s a journey that millions of people followed online.
Their account now has more than seven million followers.
In 2021, Bella received a gift of art supplies from the singer Halsey, who had watched her journey online. She then went on to meet Halsey in California this year.
In 2023, she also met Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds, who visited her in hospital.
That same year, after her bowel surgery, she was asked about her advice for other kids who, like her, found themselves waiting for a transplant.
“Be very careful. Have lots of fun. And stay brave,” she said.
