TikTok creator Sydney Towle, who documented her battle with a rare form of bile duct cancer for more than 1 million followers, has died. She was 26.
Towle’s family announced her death in a post shared on her social media accounts Thursday, Aug. 6, one day after she died. She died nearly three years after receiving her cancer diagnosis.
“We will always love you so much Sydney,” the caption under the post read. “I am so proud of how hard you fought. I love you.”
The post included a photo of Towle on a mountaintop alongside the message: “Rest in Peace Sydney Towle. An endless ray of sunshine. A daughter, a sister and friend to so many.”
The announcement came a day after Towle’s brother, Austin Towle, shared that she has entered hospice care, saying she was surrounded by family and friends as her yearslong battle with cancer neared its final stages.
Towle shared the highs and lows of living with stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer that forms in the bile ducts.
In a November 2024 interview with “Today,” Towles shared how her diagnosis came after she developed a bump on her abdomen that was suspected to be a hernia. “The doctor thought I had a hernia, but he was like, ‘I’ll send you in for an ultrasound, just in case,'” Towle told the outlet. “I got an ultrasound, and it showed a solid mass.”
Shortly after, Towle was diagnosed with the rare form of cancer and commenced her treatment which included surgeries, chemotherapy, and clinical trials.
In the months leading up to her death, Towle continued pursuing treatment after seeking a second medial opinion. She participated in a clinical trial involving tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte, or TIL, therapy and regularly shared health updates with her followers, even as her condition further deteriorated.
Towle’s openness about living with cholangiocarcinoma resonated with people facing cancer diagnosis of their own. Her videos often balanced difficult health updates with messages of hope and gratitude, earning her a loyal online community that continued to support her throughout her treatment.
Following the news of her death, supporters have flooded her social media accounts with messages remembering her optimism, resilience and willingness to share the realities of living with cancer. Under the TikTok video update posted by her brother and mom, followers shared their condolences and messages of support.
One person called the news “devastating,” and said “the world has lost a true ray of light. May her memory be a blessing.””That 26 year old sweet girl made more of an impact on the world than most people will do in their lifetime,” wrote another follower. “I will never forget her. You raised a beautiful human mama.”
