TikToker Bella Bradford Announces Her Own Death at 24 in Video Recorded During 'Final Stages' of Rare Terminal Cancer
The influencer — who was diagnosed with 'incurable' cancer in her jaw — died on Tuesday, Oct. 15, as noted in the caption of her last TikTok post
Bella Bradford has died at age 24, but not without saying a meaningful goodbye to her 13,500 TikTok followers.
The influencer — who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma in her jaw muscle in 2021 — made a final "get ready with me" video intended to be shared after her death. A note shared alongside the TikTok detailed that Bradford died "peacefully" and "surrounded by the people she loves most" on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
The 11-minute vlog began with the creator thanking her fans for following her "on this fun journey" through social media.
Related: TikTok Star Rachel Yaffe Dies at 27 After Being Diagnosed with Rare Liver Cancer
"I hope that you can look back on all my videos and find a little bit of joy in your day, if you ever need a pick-me-up," she continued. "Remember that you live every day, and you only die once, so make every day count."
As a final ode to her love of fashion, Bradford dolled up in a khaki halter dress, a white cardigan and black netted ballet flats. She accessorized the look with some stylish add-ons, like a pearl-chained teddy bear necklace, a brown baseball cap and oval sunglasses.
"Thank you guys so much for this wild and wonderful ride. I hope you all have beautiful, amazing lives," Bradford concluded after completing her outfit of the day. "I wish all the best for every single one of you."
Earlier this year, six months before her death, Bradford posted another "get ready with me" video to tell her cancer diagnosis story at just 22 years old. After learning she was sick, the TikToker underwent a year of treatment, which she said involved radiotherapy, chemotherapy, fertility operations and several surgeries to remove her tumor and reconstruct her jaw.
Bradford said she then entered a period of "intermission" with her cancer, but about 10 days before she planned to go to Europe with friends, she learned the cancer had returned. It was in the same spot, but it had grown "majorly," Bradford recounted.
Her prognosis eventually progressed into "incurable" stages, making the TikToker a "palliative cancer patient," as she explained in the May video.
Related: Maddy Baloy, TikToker Whose Terminal Cancer Journey Touched Millions, Dead at 26: 'So Special'
For her most recent, posthumous post shared on Oct. 31, Bradford penned a heartfelt message that was included in the video's caption. She once again thanked her social media community for all their "love and support throughout my final stages" of her life, noting she was "so grateful."
"Please [remember] to live each day with as much significance as the next," Bradford added. "What a privilege it is to grow old."