TikTok Star Rachel Yaffe Dead at 27 After Sharing Cancer Journey Online

TikTok star Rachel Yaffe has died at age 27 after several years of living with a rare liver cancer.

The influencer’s family confirmed in an obituary that she died on Friday, Oct. 11. Yaffe — who was diagnosed with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma at age 20 — documented her experiences and treatments on Instagram and TikTok, where she garnered a following of over 55,000.

Yaffe shared her final social media update in September with a TikTok video reviewing her “life updates and priorities” while healing from her stage 4 cancer.

In the 58-second clip, Yaffe admitted that she “lost so much of my strength” during a recent radiation treatment, and she noted that she was “occasionally” experiencing a lowered appetite as she tried to adhere to a diet catered to cancer healing.

“It’s been a little bit difficult both physically and mentally, but I’m working on really just focusing on the small things that bring me joy, and really, really prioritizing my mental as well,” she said in the TikTok shared on Sept. 1.

The late content creator shared both highs and lows on her social media platforms, giving her fans and followers insight into her day-to-day healing regimen. In an Instagram Reel posted in June, Yaffe said she had lost her “ability to walk for a while,” though she had recovered and could be seen dancing with a friend in the clip.

In another video from December 2023, Yaffe recalled that before her cancer diagnosis, she was a Division 1 lacrosse player. “The sports field was my happy place,” she wrote in the overlaying text.

“I have so many dreams for my future [and] am passionate about sharing my life journey with others so they can skip the tough times and head straight for the joyful, healthy ones,” she continued.

In her obituary, Yaffe’s family noted that they are accepting donations to Experience Camps, a nonprofit dedicated to grieving children.