Influencer Sydney Towle dies at 26 after battle with rare cancer

Sydney Towle, a social media influencer who openly shared her journey with a rare and aggressive type of cancer, has died. She was only 26.

The content creator's family announced her death on social media on Thursday, Aug. 6, saying she passed away after a three-year battle with cholangiocarcinoma. According to Cleveland Clinic, this cancer "forms in the slender tubes (bile ducts) carrying digestive fluid from the liver to the small intestine."

"We are so proud of how hard Sydney fought and for sharing her journey with so many people," her family said in a statement. "She wanted to raise awareness for rare cancers and was passionate about promoting self-advocacy. We will continue her legacy and honor her in every way we can."

In an Instagram post, her family described her as an "endless ray of sunshine. A daughter, sister, and friend to so many."

Towle documented her battle with cancer and shared it with her followers in the years before her death. She garnered more than 1 million followers on TikTok and more than 200,000 followers on Instagram.

In May, the social media influencer said that her cancer had spread to her peritoneum, which, per Cleveland Clinic, is a membrane that lines the inside of the abdomen and pelvis.

It was also that month when she revealed that her oncologist had recommended discontinuing her treatment and transitioning to end-of-life care. Despite the recommendation, she said she would continue fighting and remained hopeful about her recovery.