Influencer Sydney Towle dies at 26 after documenting rare cancer battle on TikTok

She passed away after cancer spread to lining of her abdomen

Published Aug 06, 2026  •  3 minute read

Social media creator Sydney Towle documented her treatment for cholangiocarcinoma and her final months in hospital. Photo by Sydney Towle /Instagram

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Sydney Towle, the 26-year-old social media creator who openly documented her battle with a rare form of bile duct cancer, has died.

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Towle’s family announced her death on Instagram Thursday, saying she passed away Wednesday.

“We will always love you so much Sydney,” her family wrote. “I am so proud of how hard you fought. I love you.”

The post included a photo of Towle standing on a mountain peak along with the words: “Rest in Peace Sydney Elizabeth Towle. An endless ray of sunshine. A daughter, a sister and friend to so many.”

Sydney Towle’s family announced her death on Instagram Thursday, saying she passed away Wednesday, Aug. 5. Photo by Sydney Towle /Instagram

‘She fought really hard’

Her older brother, Austin Towle, shared the same tribute on TikTok, calling Sydney the “best sister ever.”

Austin also thanked the more than one million people who had followed his sister’s cancer journey.

“She fought really hard, and we’re so proud of her,” he said. “And we thank all of you for your support over the years.”

Her mother added, “We love you and thank you for all of your kind messages of support and love. We really appreciate it and she will not be forgotten.”

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Just one day before her death, Sydney’s older brother Austin revealed that she had entered hospice care. He posted a photo showing family and friends gathered around her hospital bed. Photo by Austin Towle /TikTok

Moved to hospice care

Just one day before her death, Austin revealed that Sydney had entered hospice care. He posted a photo on TikTok showing family and friends gathered around her hospital bed.

“Sydney has been moved to hospice and is surrounded by her friends and family. Thank you all for your love and support,” he wrote.

Towle was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma in 2023 at just 23. She had noticed a lump and burning sensation in her abdomen, per Today. Doctors initially thought it was a hernia, but it turned out to be the rare cancer affecting the ducts connecting the liver, gallbladder and small intestine, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Shared her cancer journey

She turned her experience into a brutally honest look at living with cancer, sharing videos of surgeries, treatments, hospital stays and the harder moments with her huge TikTok following, per Yahoo! Life.

Her condition took a serious turn in May. While in hospital, with her mother at her side, Towle learned that the cancer had spread to her peritoneum, the lining of the abdomen and pelvis.

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‘In complete shock’

Days later, she said her oncologist had told her there was nothing more he could do and encouraged her to consider end-of-life care. Towle was stunned. She refused and found another specialist. She was also preparing to continue a clinical trial using tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, which involves removing a patient’s cancer-fighting cells, multiplying them and putting them back into the body.

“I was definitely in complete shock,” Towle told People. “No one had ever mentioned hospice or end-of-life care.”

By July 21, she had spent about a month in hospital. She was waiting to find out whether her treatment was working and admitted that the pain was relentless.

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“I’ve been on so much pain medication and other stuff,” she told the outlet. “I’m not going to lie: Every day is extremely challenging with the pain that I’m constantly experiencing, but I have hope that I can do this.”

For Towle, there was no grand plan left — just one day at a time.

“Just keep swimming, just happy to be here,” she said. “That’s all I can really do.”

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