Family of influencer Sydney Towle speak out after 26-year-old dies from rare bile duct cancer
The family of TikTok star Sydney Towle has paid tribute following her death aged 26 after an almost three-year-long battle with cancer.
Sydney was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, also known as bile duct cancer, at age 23.
Her family announced her death in a post to her social media pages on Thursday (6 August).
They shared a photo of Sydney on a mountain peak and wrote over it: "Rest in Peace. Sydney Elizabeth Towle. November 15th 1999-August 5th 2026.
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"An endless ray of sunshine, a daughter, sister, and friend to so many."
The caption read: "We will always love you so much Sydney. I am so proud of how hard you fought. I love you."
Sydney’s older brother Austin posted the same message on his own TikTok account, calling her the ‘best sister ever’.
He also posted a video, alongside their mother, where he said: "Hi everybody, we just wanted to let you know that Syd went peacefully last night after an almost three-year-long battle with cholangiocarcinoma. She fought really hard, and we’re so proud of her. We thank all of you for your support over the years."
Sydney’s 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."
The influencer's account had more than a million followers on TikTok and more than 200,000 on Instagram.
She candidly documented her cancer journey online, taking her followers along as she got ready for chemo sessions and posted photos from her hospital bed.
It comes after Austin revealed on TikTok that his sister had entered hospice care on Tuesday (4 August).
He shared a photo of her family and friends gathered around her hospital bed, alongside the caption: "Sydney has been moved to hospice and is surrounded by her friends and family. Thank you all for your love and support."
As reported by PEOPLE, Sydney was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma at the age of 23, and since then had several surgeries, participated in clinical trials and underwent chemotherapy.
Despite this, she walked the runway at The Chemo Club x Post Swim show at Miami Swim Week in May this year.
Speaking about the event, Sydney told PEOPLE at the time: "Being able to walk for a swimwear brand that is empowering women to embrace those scars ... is so empowering.
"It makes me feel even more proud to be in the body that I am that has carried me through so much."
The NHS describes cholangiocarcinoma as a cancer that's found anywhere in the bile ducts, which are small tubes that connect different organs, including the liver and gall bladder, and are part of the digestive system.
How serious bile duct cancer is depends on where it is in the bile ducts, how big it is, if it has spread, and your general health.
Symptoms of bile duct cancer
Bile duct cancer may not have any symptoms, or they can be hard to spot. Symptoms can include:
- The whites of your eyes turning yellow or your skin turning yellow, which may be less obvious on brown or black skin
- Itchy skin
- Darker pee and paler poo than usual
- Loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
- Feeling generally unwell
- Feeling tired or having no energy
- A high temperature, or you feel hot, cold or shivery
Other symptoms can affect your tummy, such as:
- Feeling or being sick
- Pain in your tummy
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Topics: TikTok, Social Media, Health, World News, US News, Cancer
Madison Burgess