Bella Bradford, a popular TikTok influencer known for her fashion content and positive outlook, died Oct. 15 at the age of 24 after a three-year battle with a rare form of cancer, according to a message shared with her final video on the social media platform.
Bradford, who was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma in her jaw muscle in 2021 at the age of 22, used her platform to share her journey with the rare disease while also sharing fashion advice, according to her TikTok page, where she has amassed 15,000 followers.
In an 11-minute long “get ready with me” video filmed before her death and posted posthumously on Oct. 31, she thanked her followers for their support and encouraged them to make the most of their lives.
“Remember that you live every day, and you only die once, so make every day count,” Bradford said in the video.
The video showcased Bradford’s signature style as she dressed in a khaki halter dress, white cardigan, and black ballet pumps, accessorizing with a brown baseball cap, pearl teddy bear necklace, and oval sunglasses.
Head and Neck Cancer Australia confirmed Bradford’s death in a Facebook post on Oct. 21, expressing condolences for her friends and family, and called the 24-year-old “a shining light of positivity, kindness and gratitude of life.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare type of cancer that begins in soft tissue, most often in muscle tissue. It can occur anywhere in the body but is more common in the head and neck area, urinary system, reproductive system, and arms and legs.
Bradford had undergone extensive treatment, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, fertility operations, and several surgeries to remove the tumor and reconstruct her jaw, according to videos on her TikTok. Despite a period of remission, she learned that her cancer had returned and progressed to an incurable stage just days before a planned trip to Europe with friends.
In her final message to followers, Bradford said she was grateful for the sense of purpose that creating content gave her in her last months. “Thank you for all your love and support throughout my final stages of life, I am so grateful,” the description in her last video reads.
Bradford’s story touched many, inspiring a team of 58 friends to participate in the Lumary City-Bay Fun Run in Adelaide last September in her honor, according to Head and Neck Cancer Australia.
The young influencer’s passing has sparked an outpouring of condolences and tributes from fans and supporters worldwide, highlighting the impact of her positive attitude and openness about her cancer journey.