JEFFERSON, GA — Anna Grace Phelan, a 19-year-old TikTok creator from Jefferson, Georgia, who gained national attention for documenting her battle with brain cancer, has passed away. Her family confirmed her death on May 23 in a message posted to her official TikTok account.
The social media star, known for her vulnerable and faith-driven updates, leaves behind a community deeply moved by her strength, honesty, and unwavering optimism in the face of terminal illness.
A Diagnosis That Changed Everything
In September 2024, just before she was scheduled to begin her first semester of college, Anna Grace began experiencing unexpected health symptoms. She reported numbness, blurred vision, difficulty walking, and trouble speaking—signs that led doctors to discover a mass in her brain.
After multiple tests and scans, she was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer known for its rapid progression and limited treatment options. At just 18 years old, she entered a battle most never imagine fighting in their lifetime.
Rather than retreat from public life, Anna Grace turned her diagnosis into a mission.
Sharing Her Journey With the World
Using her TikTok account as a platform to educate and inspire, Anna Grace began posting updates on her treatment, her faith, and her mindset. With an open heart and steady voice, she invited others into some of her most vulnerable moments: hospital stays, radiation side effects, and heartfelt reflections on mortality.
In her videos, she emphasized themes of trust in God, peace amid suffering, and gratitude for each new day. Despite facing fatigue, pain, and a declining prognosis, she often smiled through her recordings—saying, “Even if God doesn’t heal me, He is still good.”
Her audience grew to nearly 400,000 followers, with each post drawing thousands of comments from those inspired by her faith, courage, and honesty.
Final Days and Last Message
On May 14, just nine days before her passing, Anna Grace posted her final video. In it, she calmly explained that her tumor had spread into a part of her brain that controlled breathing and motor function. As her body grew weaker, she remained spiritually grounded.
“It would take a miracle,” she said, “but I’m not giving up yet.”
That statement, filled with both realism and resilience, encapsulated how she approached her entire journey: acknowledging the seriousness of her condition while holding on to hope.
Her passing was announced with grace and clarity by her family, who wrote, “She is now with Jesus—completely healed and at peace.”
Community and National Response
Anna Grace’s passing triggered a wave of tributes online. From fellow content creators to cancer survivors to total strangers, messages poured in celebrating her legacy and offering condolences.
Locally, Jefferson residents organized a candlelight vigil at Galilee Christian Church, where Anna Grace had attended services since childhood. The sanctuary overflowed with flowers, photos, and stories shared by classmates, family, and church leaders.
A GoFundMe campaign launched during her treatment raised over $65,000, which helped cover travel, care, and medical expenses not fully supported by insurance. After her passing, the fundraiser became a place for supporters to leave condolences and honor her memory.
Funeral and Remembrance
A memorial service is scheduled for May 29 at Galilee Christian Church, followed by burial at the church cemetery. The service will be livestreamed to allow Anna Grace’s extended TikTok family to attend virtually from across the country and around the world.
Family members describe her as “joyful, kind, unwavering in her faith,” and someone who “led more people to God in 19 years than most do in a lifetime.”
She is survived by her parents, William “Buddy” Phelan and Nadine Phelan, her younger brother Harper, grandparents, and many loving cousins, aunts, and uncles.
How You Can Honor Her Memory
- Share Anna Grace’s message by living with purpose, gratitude, and compassion
- Learn more about glioblastoma awareness and how early symptoms can be spotted
- Support families facing cancer by donating to patient advocacy and treatment support funds
Did Anna Grace’s journey leave a mark on your heart?
We invite you to reflect and share your tributes in the comments section below.
