Mackenzie Paul, who went viral in August 2023 for sharing her cancer journey on TikTok, has died at 26. Her husband, Brandon, confirmed her passing, saying she’s “not in pain anymore” and calling her his “rock” and “best friend.”
Diagnosed at 23 with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) while in her second year at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Paul documented her fight on social media, gaining nearly 30,000 followers. Through her series #TakingBackWhatCancerTookFromMe, she celebrated small victories and shared hope and resilience.
When her cancer returned in 2024, Paul found solace in art, creating My Mantra Project, where she made portraits of fighters facing cancer, addiction, or mental health challenges, pairing them with their empowering mantras. She credited her husband as a constant source of strength throughout her journey.