TikTok star Sydney Towle died on Wednesday at the age of 26, three years after being diagnosed with bile duct cancer. Her death was announced on her social media accounts with a message from her family stating, "We will always love you so much Sydney. I am so proud of how hard you fought. I love you."
Towle, who had amassed over 1.1 million followers on the platform, was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma in 2023. She documented her experience with the rare cancer, which included undergoing multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, and clinical trials. Her older brother, Austin Towle, shared the announcement on his TikTok account, adding, "I will always love you so so much. The best sister ever."
Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare cancer that forms in the bile ducts, the slender tubes connecting the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine, according to the Mayo Clinic. While it most commonly affects individuals over 50, it can occur at any age.
Pursuing Passions Amidst Illness
Despite her health struggles, Towle also pursued her dream of becoming a model. In June, she walked the runway for Post Swim and The Chemo Club during Miami Swim Week, captioning an Instagram post of the event as "Another dream come true."
Friends, family, and fans shared their condolences online, remembering Towle as an "endless ray of sunshine" and an inspiration. Her passing comes shortly after her brother announced on TikTok that she had entered hospice care. Fans remembered her resilience, with one user writing, "You never stopped swimming. Now it’s time for you to fly! You will be so missed."