Charlie Meza, a 9-year-old social media star whose mother documented her battle with brain cancer, died on Feb. 14. She was 9 years old.

 

Charlie Meza, a 9-year-old social media star whose mother documented her battle with brain cancer, died on Feb. 14. She was 9 years old.

Charlie was diagnosed in 2020 at just 3 years old with medulloblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer that primarily affects children. Over the next six years, her mother, Taylor, shared Charlie’s journey on Instagram through the account “Cheering for Charlie,” where more than 100,000 followers supported her treatments and progress.

On Feb. 15, Taylor announced her daughter’s passing in an emotional post. “She is free,” she wrote.

Last fall, Taylor revealed that Charlie’s condition had worsened. Doctors informed the family that an experimental drug trial — described as their “last hope” — was unlikely to be effective. Despite the discouraging prognosis, Taylor remained hopeful, writing in November that they were “hoping to continue to defy all medical expectations” and leaning on faith during the uncertainty.

At the end of 2025, Charlie began new steroid treatments. However, in January, her pain intensified and she was rushed to the hospital, where she remained under medical supervision for more than two weeks. By the end of January, she entered hospice care at home.

On Feb. 11, Taylor shared that the family had decided to focus on keeping Charlie comfortable. She noted that the care she was receiving had helped her become more restful and at peace in her final days.

In the days leading up to Charlie’s death, family friends created a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses and support the family. As of Feb. 16, the fundraiser had raised over $94,000.