Los Angeles [US], October 19 (HBTV): Pop icon Taylor Swift has donated USD 100,000 to support a two-year-old girl battling stage-4 brain cancer.
According to People, the donation was made to the parents of Lilah, who was diagnosed after suffering a seizure at just 18 months old.
Lilah’s mother, Katelynn Smoot, has been sharing her daughter’s story on social media, highlighting the family’s fundraising efforts for treatment. In a recent video titled ‘Stand with Lilah,’ Lilah referred to Taylor Swift as her ‘friend.’
‘Lilah’s name was originally going to be Willow. We were set on that name my whole pregnancy, but ultimately ended on Lilah. I listened to Taylor my whole pregnancy and then birthed a mini Swiftie. Lilah loves Taylor’s music, and during her cancer treatment, she always found joy in it. I hope Lilah gets through this diagnosis and gets to one day go to a Taylor Swift concert in person. I know she would love it,’ Katelynn said, as quoted by People.
About a week later, the video reached Swift, who donated USD 100,000 on October 17, with a message: ‘Sending the biggest hug to my friend, Lilah! Love, Taylor.’
The news of Swift’s contribution quickly spread on social media, with fans sharing the story and initiating their own fundraising efforts.
Taylor Swift has a history of philanthropic efforts. In 2024, she donated USD 250,000 to Operation Breakthrough, an education centre in Kansas City, and visited a children’s hospital in Florida to meet young patients. One of her largest donations came in October 2024, when she contributed USD 5 million for Hurricane Milton and Helene relief efforts, according to Page Six.
(ANI)