Last month, TikTok star Bella Bradford, known for her popular "Get Ready with Me" videos, shared a pre-recorded farewell message with her followers, weeks after passing awayon October 15.
The 24-year-old influencer had courageously documented her battle with a rare, incurable cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma, which she was diagnosed with at the age of 22.
Bradford’s openness about her journey and her ability to connect with her community turned her into a beacon of inspiration for many.
In an emotional 11-minute video, Bradford revealed her passing in a graceful and heartfelt message.
"I have terminal cancer and, unfortunately, by now, my life has come to an end and I've passed away," she said.
Her decision to record one final message stemmed from her love for fashion and her deep gratitude to her supportive fan base. She expressed her hope that her followers would find joy in revisiting her past videos.
@bellabradford0 Bella’s final get ready with me 💛 here’s a message she wrote: Thank you for all your love and support throughout my final stages of life, I am so grateful. Filming these videos truly brought me a sense of puropse in my final few months and also connected me with a very kind community of people. I wish you all a beautiful life and please remeber to live each day with as much significance as the next. What a privilege it is to grow old. Thank you for allowing me to be myself on this platform, I really felt excited each day to jump on here and connect over our shared love of life and fashion. Love always, Bella P.S. these are the brands mentioned in this video for your reference (I still gotta give the ppl what they want 😘😂) @St. Agni @ANINE BING OFFICIAL @One Mile @Class A Jewellers @SARAH & SEBASTIAN @Lucy Folk @Arms Of Eve @asos @Alias Mae @maisonmargielafragrances @MECCA ♬ original sound - Bella Bradford
"Thank you for following me on this fun journey. I hope you will look back on all my videos and find a little bit of joy in your day if you ever need to feel it," she shared.
Bradford appeared in the video wearing a khaki halter dress, a white cardigan, gold necklaces, including a teddy bear charm, and black ballet flats, embodying her signature fashion-forward style.
Her final message was not just about saying goodbye; it was a reminder to her community to live life fully.
"I wish you all a beautiful life, and please remember to live each day with as much significance as the next. What a privilege it is to grow old," she said, encouraging her followers to embrace each day as a gift.
The battle with rhabdomyosarcoma
Bradford’s journey with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer that affects skeletal muscles, began in May when she first shared her diagnosis.
Rhabdomyosarcoma primarily affects children and teenagers but adults like Bradford can also be diagnosed with it. According to the Cleveland Clinic, around 400 to 500 people in the United States are diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma each year.
While advances in cancer treatment have improved survival rates for many types of cancer, rare forms like rhabdomyosarcoma often pose significant challenges because of their aggressive nature and limited treatment options.
Bradford’s cancer initially went into remission but it returned and, despite ongoing treatments, her illness progressed. She transitioned to palliative care, a specialised medical approach that focuses on improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses.
The American Cancer Society defines palliative care as symptom management and emotional support rather than curative treatment.
Bradford’s decision to document her experience as a "palliative cancer patient" allowed her to share a raw and vulnerable perspective on living with terminal illness.
A community of support
Throughout her journey, Bradford’s TikTok community played a crucial role in supporting her, offering her love and encouragement during her final months.
With over 14,000 followers, her TikTok account became a space of connection, solace, and shared experiences.
Followers expressed their grief and admiration in heartfelt comments after her passing, reflecting on how her bravery touched their lives.
One fan, @Jack cap vr, wrote: "I only hope if I ever have a terminal illness I hope to go through that journey with as much grace as you have. Rest easy love."
Another @jeniferlou82, shared: "It’s so crazy that so many of us saw her for the first time, on our FYP… the same day that is sadly her last… I hope she is at peace."
In her final message, Bradford expressed deep appreciation for her audience.
"Thank you guys so much for this wild and wonderful ride. I hope you all have beautiful, amazing lives. And I wish all the best for every single one of you."
In recent years, many individuals with chronic or terminal illnesses have turned to social media to share their stories, offering a glimpse into the reality of living with serious health conditions.
These platforms allow for the creation of supportive communities, where people can share resources, offer emotional support and raise awareness of under-represented health issues.
As she poignantly said: "What a privilege it is to grow old."
Her story challenges us all to appreciate the time we have and to live each day with purpose, love and gratitude.