Sydney Towle, a young TikToker who shared videos about her personal battle with a rare cancer and inspired many for three years, has died at just 26 years old.
International news agencies reported that Sydney Towle, a popular social media influencer especially known on TikTok for sharing her experience living with a rare and aggressive cancer, has died at the age of 26.
Sydney's family announced her death via social media on Thursday (6 Aug 2026), stating she passed away from complications related to cholangiocarcinoma that had spread to other parts of her body.
"Sid passed away peacefully last night after nearly three years battling cholangiocarcinoma," her brother Austin said in a video posted on TikTok, which also featured their mother.
With over 1 million followers on TikTok and more than 200,000 on Instagram, Sydney spent the past three years documenting her daily life as a young person undergoing chemotherapy and living with cancer—sharing moments of hope, happiness, and hardship.
In the final phase of her life, she lived in New York City and entered palliative care earlier this week.
"We are incredibly proud of Sydney's bravery in fighting and sharing her journey with so many," the Towle family said in a statement.
"She aimed to raise awareness about rare cancers and was deeply committed to supporting patients in advocating for their rights and care. We will carry on her mission and honor her in every way we can."
Following news of Sydney's passing, thousands of followers posted tributes on her social media accounts to mourn her loss and send condolences to her family.
In May, Sydney shared several hospital videos while undergoing treatment for complications after the cancer spread to the peritoneum, the lining that protects organs inside the abdomen and pelvis.
On 19 May, Sydney posted a clip sitting beside her mother in the hospital, recounting that an oncology specialist told her the cancer could no longer be cured and recommended starting end-of-life care. Sydney, however, insisted on continuing to fight and sought treatment from another specialist instead.
Despite her illness, Sydney displayed brightness and a zest for life through her social media videos, frequently posting clips of dancing, dressing up, and having fun with friends.
Recently, she fulfilled her dream of becoming a model by walking in The Chemo Club x Post Swim show during Miami Swim Week.
"Life is so rich with happiness because friends choose to spend Saturdays fundraising for cancer research," Sydney wrote in a March post.
Sydney was unashamed to reveal her abdomen on social media, the area where she had surgery to implant a device delivering chemotherapy directly through her liver.
"I've only recently begun to see the strength and beauty in this body," she wrote last year alongside a photo of herself in a swimsuit. "These scars remind me of how far I've come and that dreams only end when we allow them to."
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Source:bbc