Mom Thought Taylor Swift’s $100K GoFundMe Donation Was a Prank Until She Realized It Was Real
When Katelynn Smoot was just hours away from welcoming her baby boy, life in North Carolina seemed picture-perfect. She and her husband, Tyler, were raising their 18-month-old daughter, Lilah, a bright, bubbly toddler who loved singing and dancing to The Wiggles — and especially to Taylor Swift.
But on February 24, everything changed.
As Katelynn was eight centimeters dilated in her hospital room, a doctor entered quietly and said words that would shatter any mother’s heart:
“I’m so sorry to tell you, but Lilah’s in the ER.”
Back home, Lilah had suffered a sudden seizure and been rushed to the emergency room. Scans revealed a mass on her brain — a devastating discovery that sent the family’s world spiraling.
A Rare and Aggressive Diagnosis
Lilah was transferred to a children’s hospital for an MRI. The results confirmed every parent’s nightmare: a stage 4 brain tumor.
On March 3, surgeons successfully removed the tumor — but when the pathology report came back, it revealed something even more alarming:
ATRT — atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer.
“When the pathology confirmed it was one of the most aggressive tumors, we just cried. We cried for three days straight,” Katelynn said.
Doctors explained that ATRT has only one established treatment protocol: multiple rounds of high-dose chemotherapy, stem cell rescue, and proton radiation.
“With Lilah’s cancer, if you don’t treat it, there’s a 100% chance she’s going to die,” Katelynn said. “Because it’s so rare, there’s really only one protocol that’s been used for the past 25 years.”
Both parents left their jobs to care for Lilah full-time — all while adjusting to life with a newborn.
Finding Strength in the Struggle
Lilah began treatment at Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem before transferring to Duke Children’s Hospital for chemotherapy, and later to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for proton therapy.
“She had so many side effects early on,” Katelynn recalled. “But now, honestly, we’re just so happy she’s here with us. People don’t understand how you can be happy during such a dark time — but she’s alive, she’s smiling, and I want to make every memory I can.”
Despite the harsh treatments, Lilah’s radiant personality never dimmed.
“Everyone called her a ‘trick baby’ because she made everything look easy,” Katelynn said. “She still waves to strangers, still wants to play. She hasn’t lost her spark.”
Sharing Their Story — and Finding Hope
To cope, Katelynn began sharing Lilah’s journey on TikTok and Instagram. What started as therapy for herself soon became a lifeline for others.
“Other parents started messaging me, saying our story made them feel less alone,” she said. “That’s when I realized I wasn’t just sharing for myself — I was raising awareness.”
Her posts highlighted not only Lilah’s fight but the broader truth about pediatric cancer:
“Brain tumors just surpassed leukemia as the number one cause of cancer-related death in children,” she said. “Everyone is one diagnosis away from their life changing forever.”
@standwithlilah Hi we are the Smoots. Nice to meet you. #family #childhoodcancer #2under2 #traveling #travelingwithkids
The Taylor Swift Moment That Changed Everything
In April, a simple moment of joy went viral. While playing Taylor Swift’s new album, Life of a Showgirl, Lilah perked up.
“She looked at me and said, ‘Mom, that’s Taylor Swift,’” Katelynn recalled.
Katelynn showed her the Fortnight music video — and Lilah began to dance. Mid-dance, she looked at the screen and declared,
“That’s my friend.”
Katelynn laughed, not realizing that this innocent moment would soon touch millions. When she posted the clip online, it quickly went viral — and Swift fans began tagging the superstar.
“I joked to my husband, ‘People really think Taylor’s going to see this,’” she said. “He told me, ‘You never know.’”
Days later, her phone rang. It was Tyler.
@standwithlilah Cancer sucks. #childhoodcancerawareness #standwithlilah #braincancerawareness #cancer #cancersucks #toddler #momlife
“He said, ‘Taylor Swift just donated $100,000 to our GoFundMe.’”
At first, Katelynn thought it was a joke.
“For 30 minutes we kept checking, thinking it had to be fake,” she said. “But then we saw it on GoFundMe’s backend — and the message: ‘Sending you the biggest hug to my friend Lilah.’ That’s when I knew it was real.”
“She Gave Us the Biggest Hug”
The Smoots were overwhelmed — not only by the financial help but by Swift’s humanity.
“The donation is incredible — but the fact that she took the time to watch, to care, and to send that message… it means everything,” Katelynn said.
Lilah may not understand fundraising, but she understands friendship. When she saw Taylor’s photo again, she smiled and said,
“That’s my friend.”
“I told her, ‘Yes, baby — Taylor Swift is your friend,’” Katelynn said. “That’s just how she sees it, and honestly, I love that.”
@standwithlilah I didn’t know they were friends 😂 @Taylor Swift @Taylor Nation #fateofopheliataylorswift #TLOASG #taylorswift
Since Swift’s donation, the Swiftie community has rallied behind Lilah, doubling the total amount raised for her care.
“Her donation started this, and the Swifties took it and ran,” Katelynn said. “I can’t say thank you enough.”
A Mother’s Hope
@standwithlilah I cannot say thank you enough. I’m truly in shock. This means we don’t have to worry about anything other than Lilah. Truly such a blessing. Thank you @Taylor Swift
Now, Katelynn focuses on the small joys — singing with Lilah, making memories, cherishing every smile.
“To be realistic about my hopes for her, I just want her to have a happy life — however long or short it might be,” she said. “I want her life to be full of love and joy.”
The Smoots also hope to launch a nonprofit in Lilah’s name to help other families facing pediatric brain cancer.
“Once we get through this storm, I want to create something meaningful — something that brings hope to others,” Katelynn said.
Through heartbreak, resilience, and one incredible act of kindness, the Smoot family’s story has become a symbol of courage — and of how one child’s light can inspire the world.
🕊️ “Taylor Swift gave us more than a donation,” Katelynn said softly. “She gave us hope.”
