TikTok influencer Rachel Yaffe has passed away at the age of 27, following a seven-year battle with a rare form of cancer.
Yaffe, from Lutherville, Maryland, used social media to share her journey after being diagnosed with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, a rare cancer affecting only about 200 people worldwide each year.
At just 20 years old, Yaffe initially believed she had a gluten intolerance but after consulting with a local doctor, she was referred to a specialist.
It was then that a 20 cm tumor was discovered in her liver, and she was told she had stage four cancer. Although the tumor was successfully removed, the cancer returned months later, spreading to her liver and lungs.
Yaffe continued to document her cancer battle on social media, gaining over 54,000 followers on TikTok and 7,000 on Instagram. Her final post came on September 1, where she updated her followers on her health and mental state.
In the TikTok video, Yaffe shared: “I’m back in New York and I’m back in my apartment. That makes me so happy to be in my own space again, but honestly, it has not been easy being back here. I’m so grateful to be back in my space and be surrounded by my friends. That alone has been really helpful for me mentally. I lost so much of my strength when I was getting radiation and I’m starting from day one.”
She added, “It’s been so hard for me to get up and force myself to move, so I’m working on doing that. Thankfully, it’s easier to walk around here being in the city.”
Yaffe also mentioned her efforts to follow a strict food regimen for cancer healing, explaining how it took a toll on her physically and mentally. “I’m occasionally at a pretty low appetite, so 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 health as well,” she said. “That’s kind of the update of where I’m at right now.”
@rachelkyaffe Havent shared too much about this one but its been a game changer for everything about my life + heres some evidence to back it up (listen through all the way) #cancerhealing#chronicillness#healing#manifestation#subconsciousreprogramming#createanewreality#joedispenza#visualization ♬ original sound – Rachel Yaffe
According to her obituary, Yaffe is survived by her parents, Linda and Wayne Yaffe; her siblings, Jordan and Jessica Yaffe; her grandmother, Sydney Bass; and her beloved dog, Layla.
RIP.
