Yahoo Finance Fitness influencer Cheyann Shaw dies aged 27 after suffering from cancer
Fitness influencer Cheyann Shaw has died at the age of 27.
The American Instagram star – who had over 224k followers – was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer in 2016 and publicly documented her experience with the disease and her efforts to rebuild her strength.
A statement on her account announced: “With heavy hearts, we are sad to announce that our beautiful girl Cheyann has been called home to heaven.
“Thank you all for your support and encouragement over the years. If there’s one thing Cheyann taught us is that no matter what battles we face, we can always find a reason to smile through them.”
Her mother Darci Clark added: “My heart is breaking today, our baby girl lost her long battle with ovarian cancer. She fought until the bitter end. She is a true warrior and survivor. She will be truly missed and will forever be in my heart.”
Shaw – who married husband Kaleb in September 2016 – underwent chemotherapy and a number of operations to remove her spleen, appendix, uterus and part of her colon.
Watch: Cheyann Shaw discussing the moment she found out she had Stage IV ovarian cancer
After a year she announced she was cancer-free and began to document her workouts as she rebuilt her muscle mass.
But in January 2020 Shaw announced her cancer had returned, and she began a new course of chemotherapy in a bid to beat the disease once again.
Read more: Fitness blogger shares powerful Instagram posts about living with cancer
She wrote on Instagram at the time: "This is not the news I wanted to tell y’all...Sadly, there is cancer in 4 of my lymph nodes.
"I’ve had cancer in 3 out of the 4 spots before and I beat it; this time is NO DIFFERENT! I will win and I will beat this beast again."
Shaw remained strong throughout, updating followers from her hospital bed on 23 December.
She said: “I’ve been in and out of the hospital with a liver issue that has been fixed and now I’m on a feeding tube which is totally okay. Your girl needed some help with food lol. I start chemo on Tuesday and should be going home today or tomorrow, just in time for Christmas.
“Keep the prayers coming and keeping sending all the light. #cheystrong.”
Watch: The celebrities we lost in 2020
