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The mission and memory of Bella Brave is kept alive in Saskatchewan. tattoo parlor
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The mission and memory of Bella Brave is kept alive in Saskatchewan. tattoo parlor

Bella Thomson, known online as Bella Brave, has touched millions as a social media sensation and a beacon of hope for sick children.

With her mother, Kyla, she amassed 7.5 million followers on TikTok, raising substantial funds for the Ronald McDonald House and spreading a message of positivity to tens of millions of people.

Bella suffered from three rare diseases, including an autoimmune disease. In July, Bella died. Leaving his family and following them with a broken heart.

Today, his memory lives on and fundraising continues. At The Shop, a Saskatoon tattoo parlor, a fundraiser was held to honor Bella’s legacy.

Kyla Thomson with her daughter Isabella. (Courtesy: KylaCT/Instagram)

Sheena Baldo, is the co-owner of The Shop. She worked in close coordination with Bella’s family to organize a fundraising event in her name.

“We worked with his family to create a fundraiser,” Baldo said.

Many of Bella’s friends and family members seemed to mark her memory permanently in ink.

“All of the tattoos are inspired by Bella: some are her designs and others are quotes that we thought were appropriate for her,” Baldo said.

Bella’s mother, Kyla Thomson, was in attendance, her arm lined with tattoos honoring her daughter. Although Bella’s loss remains fresh, she is comforted by the community’s continued support.

“As a grieving mother who lost my daughter, I feel like friends and strangers still talk about her, and it brings so much healing,” Kyla says.

Bella’s story has become an inspiration to families facing similar struggles. (Noah Rishaug/CTV News)

One tattoo particularly stands out.

“He said: “Dear mother, we all love you and don’t forget us. “Then she crosses out ‘we’ and writes ‘me,’ which is really funny if you know her sense of humor,” Thomson said.

Bella’s story has become an inspiration to families facing similar struggles.

“I just aspire to be as brave as them,” shares Ashley Hobbins, who met Bella through her own child’s experience in Toronto.

The store donates most proceeds from the event to the Ronald McDonald House, keeping Bella Brave’s mission alive.