Rachel Yaffe has tragically passed away at the young age of 27.
Hailing from Maryland, she garnered a significant following on platforms like Instagram and TikTok by documenting her experiences and providing insight into her life.
Before her diagnosis, Yaffe exhibited an infectious spirit, sharing moments that reflected her vibrant personality.
She frequently posted about her favorite skincare routines, exercise regimens, and fashion choices, offering her followers a glimpse into what kept her motivated and energized.
Her content resonated with many, and she quickly became a source of inspiration for her audience, not just for her health journey but for her overall positivity.
This message struck a chord with her fans, many of whom took to social media to express their condolences after the news of her death broke on October 11.
“Rest in peace, you were so young,” one follower wrote, while another expressed: “You deserved far more than the time you were given.”
A third tribute reads: “This is devastating to hear. Rachel, you were such a bright light and beautiful person. Thank you for sharing yourself with all of us.”
In one of her poignant posts, shortly before her passing, Yaffe opened up about feeling weak after radiation treatment.
Despite her struggles, she maintained a hopeful outlook, stating: “Finding the little joys helps me stay motivated even on my worst days.”
The challenges Yaffe faced were immense and began at the age of 20 when she first suspected something was wrong with her health.
Initially believing she might have gluten intolerance, she sought medical advice, leading to a referral to a specialist.
In a devastating twist, she was diagnosed with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma – an extremely rare form of liver cancer that affects only about 200 individuals globally each year, per the National Library of Medicine.
Doctors discovered a 20-centimeter tumor in her liver, and she learned she had stage four cancer.
Yaffe’s journey through treatment was arduous.
Although she underwent surgery to remove the tumor, the cancer returned just a few months later, spreading to her liver and lungs.
Throughout her seven-year battle, she explored various treatment options, blending conventional medicine with alternative therapies in her quest for healing.
In July, she made a notable shift in her diet, moving from a plant-based vegan diet to a ‘more keto carnivore diet’ based on new advice from her healthcare providers.
She explained this transition to her followers: “After going what I’ve been through and re-evaluating my blood work with my new practitioners, we found out that I was pretty deficient in some of the nutrients that I really needed from proteins and fats, so I’m actually leaning more into the keto carnivore diet, which is so new for me.”
Her final post on social media came on September 1.
Speaking to her TikTok followers, she said: “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 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.
“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 continued: “Plus I’m working really hard to stick to a very strict food regimen for cancer healing that is also taking up a lot of energy.
“I am 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.
“That’s kind of the update of where I’m at right now.”
Despite the immense difficulties she faced, Yaffe remained dedicated to sharing her journey and the lessons she learned along the way.
Her commitment to documenting her life created a sense of community among her followers, who were inspired by her resilience and hope.
Yaffe’s passing marks a profound loss, not just for her family but for the many fans who were touched by her story.
She is survived by her parents, Linda and Wayne Yaffe, and her siblings, Jordan and Jessica, who will forever hold onto the memories of her vibrant spirit, according to her obituary.
In the end, Rachel Yaffe lost her long battle with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, a rare liver cancer that affects so few each year.
@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
