After a three-year battle with leukemia, a U.S. influencer has passed away at just 26.

(Lansing, Feb 1) A well-known American short-form video influencer, McKenzie, has died at the age of 26 after battling a blood cancer for nearly three years. In her final video posted shortly before her death, she tearfully asked followers to pray for her, drawing an outpouring of grief online.

According to overseas media reports, McKenzie publicly revealed in October 2023 that she had been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). She was 23 at the time and a second-year medical student at Michigan State University. In earlier interviews, she described fainting during class and later experiencing recurring symptoms, before blood tests confirmed the diagnosis.

Following the diagnosis, McKenzie remained proactive in her treatment and continued documenting her journey on social media, sharing updates and reflections with her audience.

Her husband, Brandon, posted a roughly 10-minute video on Facebook on January 22, confirming her passing. Holding back tears, he said he wished she could still be by his side and that he would need the rest of his life to work through the pain. He described their two and a half years of marriage as the greatest blessing, while also witnessing how much she endured.

Brandon recalled that McKenzie faced multiple critical periods and intensive treatments. He said her condition deteriorated rapidly on the morning of her death and she was admitted for urgent care, but ultimately did not survive. He added that there had been a period of remission that gave them hope the worst was over, but the illness later returned, leading them to focus on spending as much meaningful time together as possible and doing what she loved.