Taylor Swift has made a heartfelt $100,000 donation to support a young fan battling cancer, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to helping those in need. On October 17, 2025, the pop star contributed to the GoFundMe campaign for two-year-old Lilah, who is fighting a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer, leaving a personalized message that quickly went viral.
Lilah was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer at just 18 months old after experiencing a seizure, and her condition is exceptionally rare, with only 58 cases documented in the United States last year. Her treatment involves a complex regimen including surgery to remove a brain mass, followed by three months of chemotherapy, three months of stem cell therapy, and proton radiation, which necessitates extended hospital stays and travel to a children’s hospital hours away from home. The family has been fundraising since March to cover these overwhelming medical expenses, as Lilah’s rare cancer requires specialized and costly care.
The connection between Lilah and Swift began when her mother, Katelynn Smoot, shared a TikTok video on October 8, showcasing Lilah’s admiration for the singer. In the video, Lilah called Swift her “friend” while watching clips on an iPad, and Katelynn revealed that she had considered naming her daughter Willow after a Swift song but settled on Lilah, who has found comfort in Swift’s music during her cancer treatment. Katelynn, who attended Swift’s Eras Tour while pregnant with Lilah, expressed hope that her daughter would one day see Swift perform live if she recovers.
Moved by the story, Swift made the $100,000 donation on October 17, captioning it with, “Sending the biggest hug to my friend, Lilah! Love, Taylor.” This generous act not only provided financial support but also brought widespread attention to Lilah’s plight, inspiring an outpouring of support from Swift’s fans and the general public. The donation was made quietly, without any public announcement from Swift, reflecting her tendency to assist individuals directly through platforms like GoFundMe.
The donation pushed the GoFundMe total nearly $60,000 over its $100,000 goal, allowing Lilah’s family to focus entirely on her care without the stress of financial constraints. Katelynn expressed her shock and gratitude in an emotional video, dancing with Lilah to Swift’s music and thanking the singer for the “beautiful gift” that alleviates their burdens during this challenging time. She described the moment as surreal and emphasized how it enables the family to prioritize being together and supporting Lilah through her treatment.
Swift’s philanthropy is well-documented; she has a history of quietly supporting causes, from donating $250,000 to an education center in Kansas City to surprising patients at a children’s hospital in Florida. In 2024, she contributed $5 million to hurricane relief efforts, and her friend Ruby Rose noted that Swift often uses GoFundMe to assist individuals directly, showcasing her hands-on approach to charity. These actions have consistently inspired her fans to engage in similar acts of kindness, as seen with an influx of $13 donations to Lilah’s page, referencing Swift’s favorite number.
This incident underscores the positive influence celebrities can have in mobilizing support for critical health issues. As Lilah continues her treatment, the combined efforts of Swift and her fans provide not only financial aid but also emotional encouragement, highlighting the power of community and compassion in facing health crises. The story serves as a reminder of the impact one person’s kindness can have on another’s life, potentially setting a precedent for more awareness and donations toward rare diseases and pediatric cancer research.