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TikTok star Sydney Towle, who shared her experience of living with a rare, aggressive form of cancer, has died at the age of 26.
The American social media influencer was diagnosed with stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma at just 23, a rare bile duct cancer that rarely affects people her age.
She spent the last three years chronicling her daily life as a young person living with cancer and raising awareness. Her TikTok and Instagram videos garnered millions of views over the course of her health journey.
The news of Towle’s death was announced on her social media pages yesterday, one day after her reported death.
“Syd went peacefully last night after an almost three-year-long battle with cholangiocarcinoma,” her brother Austin said in a video message, alongside their mother, on TikTok.
“We are so proud of how hard Sydney fought and for sharing her journey with so many people,” Towle’s family added in a statement. “She wanted to raise awareness for rare cancers and was passionate about promoting self-advocacy. We will continue her legacy and honour her in every way we can.”
In May, Towle posted a series of videos from the hospital where she was receiving treatment, sharing that her cancer had spread to her peritoneum – a membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering most of its internal organs.
On 19 May, Towle filmed herself as she recounted an exchange she had with her oncologist, who had urged her to begin end-of-life care. Towle refused the suggestion, and switched to seeing a new specialist.
Days later, she fulfilled her dream of modelling, walking in a swimsuit for The Chemo Club x Post Swim show at Miami Swim Week – a show celebrating post-cancer bodies.
Thousands have given emotional tributes, with followers and fellow influencers sharing how her strength has inspired them.
One fan commented: “That 26 year old sweet girl made more of an impact on the world than most people will do in their lifetime. I will never ever forget her.”