TikTok star, 19, dies after cancer battle
A TikTok influencer who won hearts around the world after bravely sharing regular updates about her battle with brain cancer has died, aged just 19.
Anna Grace Phelan, who lived in Georgia, passed away on Friday — less than a year after first being diagnosed.
Her family broke the tragic news on her TikTok page, writing 'It is with great sadness to announce that our beautiful daughter, Anna Grace Phelan, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.'
'So many of you have followed her journey through a difficult battle with cancer and bore witness to her powerful testimony of faith.'
'Thank you for the countless thousands of prayers for healing and peace.
'May we all rejoice with the assurance that she is in Heaven now, and she has been healed. Let us also remember that the only path to the promised kingdom of Heaven is through salvation in Jesus Christ.' Anna Grace Phelan's devastated family broke the news on social media. Credit: Instagram
Ms Phelan graduated high school in 2024 and had been working as a receptionist at a medical practice.
Days before she was due to begin college she began experiencing worrying symptoms, including face and leg numbness and problems with her balance and vision. Doctors eventually diagnosed her with an aggressive glioblastoma, an inoperable grade four malignant brain tumour. Anna Grace Phelan with her mother Nadine Phelan. Credit: Instagram Anna Grace Phelan was diagnosed after undergoing an MRI. Credit: Instagram
She announced her cancer diagnosis in a TikTok video in September 2024, saying 'This is definitely the hardest news I've ever received.
'By all means, this is not easy. Just going to trust in the Lord and try and keep pushing forward.'
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In one of her last videos Ms Phelan could be seen at an outdoor gathering of family and friends shooting water pistols. She captioned the footage 'sweet moments'.
But, in her last video on May 16, she spoke about receiving a get-well present from former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow.
She also revealed her health had taken a tragic turn for the worst.
'Things haven't been good. My tumour grew and it's in the area where I can't breathe. It can't be operated. So, I just wanted to say thank you for all the prayers. It would take a miracle, but I'm not giving up yet. If you keep praying for me, I think that I'll make it.'
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