Utah couple takes their child to a Build-A-Bear for her first birthday. Then, they ended up paying for another couple’s bear

Angel Starr LeFevre (@angelstarrlefevre) went with her family to a Build-A-Bear at Farmington Station, Utah, to get their daughter a stuffed bear for her first birthday. But after learning about another family’s situation at the store, they decided to pay for their son’s bear too.

LeFevre told TikTok that she takes her children to Build-A-Bear for their first birthdays. As they got ready to check out, her husband allegedly overheard another couple telling the workers why they were making a custom bear.

“They were there to preserve their child’s voice because he had cancer,” LeFevre said. She was filling out the ‘birth certificate’ paper for the stuffed animal when her husband told her that he wanted to pay for the couple’s bear. After hearing her husband’s explanation, she agreed without hesitation. LeFevre said the workers appreciated the gesture and asked whether they should tell the couple.

However, LeFevre refused, telling the workers that the couple didn’t need to know who paid for their stuffed animal. As they walked out of the store, LeFevre said she saw the mom sitting and holding her son. She came over and told the boy, “You have the coolest jacket on.” LeFevre said that the child was wearing a dinosaur coat.

Despite her compliment, the boy was allegedly a bit spooked, and the mother apologized and told LeFevre that her son had cancer. LeFevre told the mother not to worry, and they started talking about dinosaurs. The woman asked if LeFevre’s children also liked dinosaurs. LeFevre agreed, saying her children loved dinosaurs. After that, LeFevre’s family left.

Finding the family at Build-A-Bear

Later, they walked past the Build-A-Bear, and a worker outside gave more information about the family. “Their son only has days left,” LeFevre said. The worker also told her the family wanted to get her contact information. LeFevre was distraught by the information, saying that as a mother, she couldn’t imagine the pain the family was going through. She and her husband wanted to remain anonymous and do something kind for the family. Similarly, this cashier also wanted to do the right thing for a struggling older woman who couldn’t check out her groceries. LeFevre wasn’t hoping for recognition. However, since the mother wanted to reach out, she hoped her social media video would reach them.

“If you see this, I just want you to know that I’m so—I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. I can’t even begin to comprehend. And I hope that we can connect,” LeFevre said. She wanted to meet the parents, talk to them, and be their friend. The TikTok clip went viral. In an update video, LeFevre said she had finally connected with the parents. She added that she is still asking the family whether they have a GoFundMe but hasn’t posted a link. Childhood cancer is emotionally taxing for a family, but it can also turn into a large financial burden. In one mom’s case, she alleged that a hospital asked her for $500,000 before starting her child’s chemo treatment.

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