Social media influencer Sydney Towle dies at 26 after battling rare bile-duct cancer

Sydney Towle, a 26-year-old content creator known for documenting her battle with cholangiocarcinoma, died on Wednesday at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. Her mother, Elizabeth Morrow, and brother, Austin Towle, confirmed the news in a video posted to her TikTok account.

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

The family expressed gratitude for the messages of support, noting that Towle would not be forgotten. Born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and raised in Hobe Sound, Florida, Towle graduated from Dartmouth College in 2022 with a degree in government and environmental studies and later worked as a social media manager at Epic Games.

After her diagnosis in August 2023 at age 23, Towle began posting candid updates about treatment alongside videos of her outdoor hobbies, including surfing and running. Her TikTok following grew to over one million, with followers citing her optimism and openness as sources of encouragement.

"I’m in good spirits, I’m smiling. If anything, it just makes me appreciate life more," Towle said in a video posted shortly after her diagnosis.

In February, her mother wrote that Towle had become "a beacon of hope for so many" and that thousands had reached out to thank her for her vulnerability. Towle also used her platform to raise funds for the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, pledging to run the 2026 New York City Marathon and having already collected more than $10,000 for the nonprofit.

She is survived by her mother and brother; her father, Philip Towle, died in 2016.