Sydney Towle’s family has shared an emotional insight into the influencer’s final days after she died at just 26 following a nearly three-year battle with rare bile duct cancer.
TikTok star Sydney Towle, who had amassed more than a million followers across social media, was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma when she was just 23.
Her family announced her death on Thursday, August 6, sharing a photograph of Sydney standing on a mountain peak.
“Rest in Peace. Sydney Elizabeth Towle. November 15th 1999-August 5th 2026,” they wrote alongside the heartbreaking tribute. They described Sydney as an “endless ray of sunshine” and said they were incredibly proud of how hard she had fought.
Her older brother Austin also addressed her death in a TikTok video alongside their mother, revealing that Sydney had died peacefully after almost three years living with the disease.
The family thanked Sydney’s followers for supporting her throughout her cancer journey and said they would make sure she was never forgotten.
Sydney was surrounded by family in her final days
Just two days before her death, Austin revealed that Sydney had entered hospice care. He shared a photograph showing family and friends gathered around her hospital bed, explaining that their priority was making sure she was surrounded by people who loved her.
Speaking to PEOPLE after her death, Austin, 29, said the decision to move Sydney into hospice came when her illness had progressed too far for further treatment to be an option.
Sydney had hoped to spend her final days at home, but according to her brother, moving her would have caused her too much pain.
He also described Sydney’s reaction when doctors explained that hospice care was necessary, saying that rather than becoming upset she appeared to accept what was happening.
He recalled that she seemed “very at peace,” adding that she had become extremely exhausted by that stage of her illness.
Sydney continued making memories despite her diagnosis
Throughout her battle with cancer, Sydney continued to document her life online and use her platform to connect with others.
One of her final major achievements came in May, when she walked the runway during Miami Swim Week.
Sydney modelled beachwear for The Chemo Club x Post Swim show, a collection created to celebrate people living with cancer and embrace the scars that can come with treatment.
Her brother said the moment remained something the family was incredibly proud of.
During Sydney’s final days, Austin recalled sitting beside his sister and telling her stories about her life and achievements. Even as she became increasingly unresponsive, he reflected on the extraordinary fact that she had managed to walk in a fashion show while battling stage 4 cancer.
He described his sister as “awesome” and said she had continued fighting for as long as she possibly could.
Her family hopes Sydney’s story will inspire others
Austin’s message to those who followed Sydney’s journey was ultimately one of hope. He said he wants people to remember that there can still be moments worth fighting for, even after receiving a devastating diagnosis.
Sydney’s family has continued to receive messages of love and support from followers mourning the loss of the young influencer.
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