Anna Grace Phelan, a beloved TikTok creator known for her unwavering faith and courageous spirit, passed away on May 23, 2025, at the age of 19, following a valiant battle with brain cancer. Her journey, shared openly with nearly 400,000 followers on TikTok, became a beacon of hope and inspiration for many.

A Promising Life Interrupted

Originally from Florida and residing in Georgia, Anna Grace was preparing to embark on her college journey when, in September 2024, she began experiencing symptoms such as numbness in her face and leg, vision issues, and speech difficulties. An MRI revealed a lesion on her brain, leading to a diagnosis of diffuse midline glioma with the aggressive H3K27M mutation—a grade 4 malignant brain tumor.   

Despite the grim prognosis, Anna Grace approached her diagnosis with remarkable resilience and faith. She underwent a six-week course of radiation therapy in Athens, Georgia, while her family explored additional treatment options.

Sharing Her Journey with the World

Anna Grace chose to document her battle on TikTok under the handle @phelann.annaa, where she amassed over 77,000 followers and 829,000 likes.  Her candid videos detailed her experiences with treatment, the emotional toll of her illness, and her steadfast belief in God’s plan. In one poignant post, she shared, “September 5th is forever going to be one of the hardest days of my life. Finding out I had a grade 4 cancerous tumor was not expected by me at all. Please continue to pray as I follow through God’s plan for me.”    

Her transparency and positivity resonated with many, turning her platform into a source of comfort and community for others facing similar struggles.

A Legacy of Faith and Inspiration

In her final update on May 14, 2025, Anna Grace revealed that her tumor had grown into an inoperable area, affecting her breathing and mobility. She acknowledged that recovery would “take a miracle” but remained hopeful, urging her followers to continue praying.

Her family announced her passing through a heartfelt message on her TikTok page, expressing gratitude for the support and prayers received during her journey. They wrote, “So many of you have followed her journey through a difficult battle with cancer and bore witness to her powerful testimony of faith.”

Honoring Her Memory

A funeral service for Anna Grace is scheduled for May 29 at Galilee Christian Church in Jackson County, Georgia, with burial to follow at the church’s cemetery.

She is survived by her parents, William “Buddy” and Nadine Phelan, her brother Harper David Phelan, and her extended family.

In the wake of her diagnosis, a GoFundMe campaign titled “Anna’s Fight Against Brain Cancer” was established to assist with medical expenses, raising over $65,000.

Anna Grace Phelan’s unwavering faith and openness in sharing her journey have left an indelible mark on countless lives. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the impact of sharing one’s truth with the world.