Ten year old Bella Thompson – the perfect picture of bravery. A little girl who despite the medical challenges she faced every single day – never stopped smiling.
Bella was born with a rare mutation causing three diseases, leaving her with no immune system. In late 2023, Bella underwent a life saving bowel transplant and spent four months recovering in the hospital. Living in Swift Current – Bella became a star when her and Mom Kyla, began sharing Bella’s medical journey on social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok. Bella became a sensation on the Tiktok platform- amassing 7.1 million followers, and becoming recognized as one of the platform’s Breakthrough Stars in 2023.
Yesterday Bella’s Mom Kyla shared the devastating news that her daughter, Bella, passed away at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Bella had been placed in a medically induced coma earlier in the week due to a viral lung infection.
“Our brave girl left her legacy here on earth to dance on streets of gold,” wrote Kyla on the social media platform Instagram.
“Please keep her name on your lips, her memories alive and her bravery in your hearts,” the post continued.
“Bella would want you to remember; God is love, be brave and you are never too old to bring a stuffy.”
Bella had spent three yeas on a wait list for a bowel transplant – all while battling Hirschsprung’s disease. Shortly after her surgery she met movie star Ryan Reynolds at The Hospital for Sick Children. The transplant allowed Bella to go to school again, and even take a trip with her family to the happiest place on Earth – Disneyland. Recently Bella had a chance to meet musical artist Halsey in California; the two have been friends since 2021 when Halsey reached out on social media.
Wishes for the family, and an outpouring of love and support for Bella’s family have come from all over the world in the last hours on all social media platforms, as the world mourns the loss of Bella “Brave”.
Her home community of Swift Current, the province of Saskatchewan and ultimately the world are all a little less bright, and a little less brave with the loss of little Bella.