A TIKTOK influencer who inspired millions has died at the age of 14 after more than decade-long battle with leukemia.
Zuza shared her journey with cancer openly on Instagram and TikTok, posting updates about her health, “get-ready-with-me” videos, and dances with friends, inspiring thousands with her courage and positivity.
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She frequently posted updates about her health, “get-ready-with-me” videos, and dances with her friends.
The Wisconsin-based family began documenting Zuza’s treatment on the Instagram account @Zuzas_Way_To_Healing in 2020.
The account quickly gained traction, amassing almost two million followers.
On September 24, Zuza’s family shared the heartbreaking news of her passing on social media.
They wrote a touching message to her supporters: “It is with broken hearts that we share that Zuza died yesterday morning.”
“She lived 11 of her 14 years with a relentless cancer, yet lived more fully and gratefully than most. Her being changed us forever, and her dying will too.”
Zuza was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at just three years old.
Her Instagram bio said she had beaten the disease five times.
Acute myeloid leukemia starts in the bone marrow and spreads rapidly into the blood, according to Cancer.org. Most cases occur in adults.
Over the course of her illness, Zuza underwent three bone marrow transplants and multiple rounds of chemotherapy.
Her honesty and courage won her millions of fans online.
She gained an audience of over two million followers on TikTok, where she documented her life and treatment as a teen.
WHAT IS ACUTE MYELOID LEUKAEMIA?
ACUTE myeloid leukaemia is a type of blood cancer that affects the immune system’s white blood cells.
The causes of the disease are not well understood and it usually cannot be prevented. Previous chemotherapy, exposure to radiation or smoking could raise the risk.
It is a rare type of cancer and affects around 3,100 people each year in the UK, and 2,700 people die from it annually.
AML is an aggressive form of cancer and often needs urgent treatment with chemotherapy and possibly a bone marrow transplant.
Symptoms of the disease include:
- Paleness
- Concerning tiredness or weakness
- Often feeling breathless for no reason
- Getting regular infections
- Unexplained weight loss
- Unexplained bleeding and/or bruising
Source: NHS
In her final videos, Zuza was candid about the pain she endured.
She explained how her illness affected her daily life and even apologized for her absence online due to a seizure.
“I’m going to be honest, lately my health has not been the best,” she said.
“Physically and mentally. I have been in so much pain lately. I’m constantly on pain medicine.”
But Zuza also never lost her sense of gratitude.
In her last post, she wrote:“Being diagnosed with cancer has made me deeply grateful for the everyday things that many people often take for granted.”
She reflected on the simple joys of life – food, friendships, family, animals, and even the fun of experimenting with different hairstyles thanks to chemotherapy.
Referring to her final video, Zuza’s family explained:
“It is no coincidence to us that the last video she made captures what she was grateful for a testament to a life filled with both beauty and suffering.”
“More than anything, she wanted to be a normal, healthy kid. But what made her life so beautiful was how she learned to face the hardest circumstances, like her disease, and still live fully.”
Zuza was also a member of TikTok’s Glow House, a content creation group for young women who “glow from inside out.”
The family asked that supporters donate to a GoFundMe to support the family of her recently deceased uncle.
The page has raised almost $80,000 so far.
Fans have flooded her social media with tributes, remembering her bravery, positivity, and infectious spirit.
Her journey touched lives worldwide, inspiring thousands to appreciate the small things and live life to the fullest.
Though Zuza’s life was tragically short, her courage and openness will leave a lasting mark.
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