TikTok star and medical student Mackenzie Paul has passed away at age 26. Her death follows a brave three-year battle with acute myeloid leukemia. Her husband, Brandon Paul, confirmed the news this week, expressing relief that she is finally free from pain.
Mackenzie was diagnosed in 2023 during her second year of medical school. She first noticed something was wrong after experiencing unusual dizzy spells and fatigue. Despite being a healthy college athlete, her blood work revealed the aggressive disease, which affects the bone marrow and blood.
During her illness, Mackenzie became an inspiration to many by sharing her journey online. She used social media to document the harsh realities of cancer, which helped her find a sense of purpose and connection with others facing similar struggles.
In addition to her online presence, Mackenzie authored a book of poetry titled This Is What It Feels Like. She wrote the collection to help other patients feel less alone and to describe the difficult experience of living with a serious illness.
Brandon described his late wife as the most disciplined and hardworking person he had ever met. Her legacy lives on through her writing and the awareness she raised for cancer patients worldwide.
