Sydney Towle’s brother Austin is remembering the influencer after her death at age 26. Austin says his sister was surrounded by family in her final days and accepted end-of-life care with peace. When doctors diagnosed Sydney with cholangiocarcinoma at age 23, she shared her cancer journey with over 1 million followers! Her family shared the news of her death on Thursday, Aug. 6, through her social media pages.
Austin Towle says Sydney was exhausted but at peace when she entered end-of-life care
Speaking exclusively to People, Austin, 29, shared details about Sydney’s final days and her decision to enter hospice care. He said doctors had no other option because her cancer had progressed too far. “It was so far along that there was no choice but to go to hospice,” Austin said. He said Sydney wanted to be at home in her final days but could not make the move because of the pain it would cause.
According to Cleveland Clinic, Sydney learned in May that her cancer had spread to the peritoneum, the lining of the abdomen and pelvis. Later, she stated that an oncologist refused to continue treatment and recommended end-of-life care. Sydney rejected that advice, changed specialists and continued her fight while waiting between stages of a clinical trial involving TIL therapy.
Over a week later, Sydney walked the Miami Swim Week runway for The Chemo Club x Post Swim show. She wore beachwear designed for post-cancer bodies and celebrated the scars her body carried. Austin said he reminded her of the achievement in her last days. “How many people can say they were battling stage 4 cancer while they were walking down the runway?” he recalled telling her.
Austin said Sydney accepted hospice care without anger or sadness. “She didn’t get sad. She was very at peace,” he told PEOPLE. He said she had fought for as long as she could and wanted people to remember her message of hope. Sydney often followed the “just keep swimming” motto from Finding Nemo throughout her cancer journey.
Sydney underwent surgeries, chemotherapy and clinical trials while sharing her experiences online. She spoke about loving her body two months before her death during Miami Swim Week. In her final Substack essay, “In sickness and in health,” she wrote about love, friendship and accepting support from others. “All that matters in life… is the people you love,” Sydney wrote.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK SYDNEY TOWLE’S MESSAGE OF HOPE WILL INSPIRE OTHERS?
