Sydney Towle, TikTok star who shared her cancer journey, dies at 26

Wed Sep 16 2026 12:31:22 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

TikTok influencer Sydney Towle died at 26 after battling a rare form of cancer; she used her platform to raise awareness for rare cancers

Sydney Towle, a 26‑year‑old TikTok and Instagram influencer, passed away after a nearly three‑year fight with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare bile‑duct cancer. A family‑posted video announced her death and highlighted her resilience and advocacy for self‑advocacy among patients. Towle attracted over a million followers on TikTok and 200,000 on Instagram, and chronicled her chemotherapy treatments, hospital visits, and personal strength in candid videos. She famously fulfilled her dream of modelling at Miami Swim Week and used her platform to encourage fundraising and cancer research. Thousands of fans paid tribute to her courage, her message of hope, and her commitment to raising awareness for rare cancers.

Sydney Towle, TikTok star who shared her cancer journey, dies at 26

Sydney Towle modelling at Miami Swim Week

Sydney Towle, a popular social media influencer, died at the age of 26 after a nearly three‑year battle with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive bile‑duct cancer.

The death was announced by her family on social platforms on Thursday, after she had been moved to hospice care earlier this week. In a TikTok video, her brother Austin shared that “Syd went peacefully last night after an almost three‑year‑long battle with cholangiocarcinoma.”

With over a million followers on TikTok and 200,000 on Instagram, Towle’s content chronicled daily life with chemotherapy, hospital visits, and her struggle to stay positive. She also spoke openly about her bile‑duct cancer spreading to the peritoneum and her decision to pursue other specialists when her oncologist advised end‑of‑life care.

Despite her illness, Towle returned to the spotlight by modelling in a swimsuit for The Chemo Club x Post Swim show at Miami Swim Week, fulfilling a long‑held dream and raising visibility for cancer patients.

After her passing, thousands of fans posted tributes on her social media, while her family promised to honor her legacy and continue her mission to raise awareness for rare cancers.

She was recognised not only for her candid storytelling but also for her dedication to self‑advocacy, urging patients to remain informed and active in their treatment journeys.