Rachel Yaffe, a TikTok creator from Lutherville, Maryland, has passed away at 27 after fighting a rare form of cancer for seven years. She shared her journey with her followers on TikTok, where she had over 54,000 fans, and on Instagram, where she had 7,000.
At just 20, Rachel was diagnosed with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, a rare liver cancer that affects only around 200 people worldwide each year. She first thought she had a gluten intolerance but later discovered a large tumor in her liver during a doctor’s visit. By then, the cancer had reached stage four.
Doctors were able to remove the 20 cm tumor, but the relief was short-lived. A few months later, the cancer returned and spread to her liver and lungs. Despite the setbacks, Rachel remained open with her followers, documenting her experiences and treatments.
Her last social media post came on September 1. In a video, she shared how happy she was to be back in her New York apartment after undergoing treatment, though she admitted it wasn’t easy. Rachel talked about struggling with her strength after radiation and the challenge of maintaining her strict diet to help with cancer recovery. She also spoke about her focus on small joys and mental health.
Rachel is survived by her parents, Linda and Wayne Yaffe, her brother Jordan, her sister Jessica, her grandmother Sydney Bass, and her beloved dog, Layla.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/rachelkyaffe / TikTok/rachelkyaffe
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