Sydney Towle: Social Media Influencer and Cancer Advocate Passes Away at 26

Sydney Towle, a content creator who shared her journey with a rare cancer, has passed away at 26, her family announced. Diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a severe bile duct cancer, in August 2023, Towle remained a positive force online. Her mother, Elizabeth Morrow, and brother, Austin Towle, confirmed her passing on Wednesday through her TikTok account.

Syd went peacefully last night after an almost three-year long battle with cholangiocarcinoma, her brother expressed. She fought really hard, and we’re so proud of her, and we thank all of you for your support over the years.

Elizabeth Morrow expressed gratitude for the outpouring of messages and assured that she will not be forgotten.

Towle, described by her family as “an endless ray of sunshine”, touched many lives. Born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, on November 15, 1999, she spent her formative years in Hobe Sound, Florida. According to the New York Times, Towle passed away at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

Before her diagnosis at 23, Towle already shared snippets of her life on social media. She loved the outdoors, frequently posting about her surfing and running adventures. Despite her illness, she maintained her love for these activities while offering a raw look at her battle, amassing over 1 million followers on TikTok. In her posts, she often reiterated the importance of appreciating life.

In a video shortly after her diagnosis, Towle shared, I’m in good spirits, I’m smiling. If anything, it just makes me appreciate life more. Her philosophy resonated through her content as she balanced normal activities with her treatment journey.

In February, Towle’s mother wrote a column advocating for more research funding for this rare disease. She highlighted her daughter’s role as a beacon of hope for so many through her online transparency. Thousands reached out, acknowledging how Towle’s vulnerability helped them confront their own challenges.

Graduating from Dartmouth College in 2022, Towle studied government and environmental studies. She worked as a social media manager at Epic Games. She also planned to run the 2026 New York City Marathon to support the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, having raised over $10,000 for the cause.

Despite the challenges, Towle emphasized, Hope keeps us alive, it keeps us going, it makes the impossible seem possible.

Sydney Towle is survived by her mother and brother. Her father, Philip Towle, passed away in 2016.