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Inspiring girl from Hoda Kotb's 'Truly Brave' video dies from cancer at 13

Stephanie Bader, one of the inspirational children from Hoda Kotb's "Truly Brave" video that helped raise money for pediatric cancer, died at the age of 13 on Friday.
/ Source: TODAY

Stephanie Bader, one of the inspirational children from Hoda Kotb's "Truly Brave" video that helped raise money for pediatric cancer, died at the age of 13 on Friday.

Bader, who was battling glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, was one of several patients from Children's Hospital in Philadelphia featured in the "Truly Brave" video with Cyndi Lauper and Sara Bareilles. The project was put together by Kotb to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer as part of the "Shine A Light" series to support worthy causes.

"Steph loved to sing and dance, and even when she lost the ability to speak, she could still sing, and that brought her, and those around her, much joy,'' her parents told Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford.

Bader, whose nickname was "Pep,'' was known for always having a smile on her face throughout numerous chemotherapy treatments and surgeries. She touched so many lives that more than 200 people gathered outside her bedroom window at her family's home last week for a sing-along of her favorite songs.

"She was a pretty amazing kid,'' her parents said. "Not once did she complain about her situation except to say 'cancer sucks.' She touched the lives of so many people."

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