Health and fitness influencer Carly Douglas has died aged 34 just three months after she revealed she had been diagnosed with stage 4 gastric cancer.
The mom-of-three, from Greer, South Carolina, who learned she was living with the disease in March after initially believing she was suffering from a bowel obstruction, passed June 13.
News of Douglas’s death was confirmed in a statement shared to her Instagram, which credited her with fighting her illness with ‘grit and determination.’
‘Carly was joy personified, pure sunshine,’ it read.
‘It felt as though her smile was permanently stitched on her face and her laugh was constantly waiting to bubble out of her.
‘To be known by Carly Faye, was to be loved by Carly Faye.’
Douglas shared three children – River, Faye and Townes – with her husband David.
‘She treasured her children and savored every moment with them, soaking up every last drop of giggles and hugs until the very end,’ the statement continued.
Content creator Carly Douglas has died aged 34 following a short battle with gastric cancer
News of Douglas’s death was confirmed in a statement shared on Instagram (pictured with her husband David)
‘Carly loved her husband, David, with everything she had.
‘Her best friend, her person, the man she could not wait to see walk through the door every evening. Their love was deep and wide and permeated every inch of their lives and home.’
Douglas had grown a social media following thanks to her motherhood and exercise content and amassed over 137,000 fans on Instagram.
In a video uploaded on March 24, Douglas revealed that doctors had discovered a large tumor in her stomach after scans showed a fluid buildup and inflammation throughout her abdomen.
‘It’s truly like living in a nightmare and keep trying to wake up, but it’s very much real,’ she told her followers.
‘I think it’s anyone’s worst nightmare, especially a mother.’
Douglas said that doctors had determined the cancer had originated in her stomach before spreading.
Douglas revealed her cancer diagnosis in a video shared to her 137,000 followers in March
The mom fought her stage 4 cancer with ‘grit and determination’ according to her obituary
The social media star expressed determination in fighting the disease.
‘I’m gonna be OK, and I’m gonna fight,’ she said. ‘I have to for my kids.’
She added: ‘I’m gonna beat this. I am gonna beat this. I’m gonna come out on the other side.
‘I keep telling people that cancer picked the wrong girl, because I’m not gonna let this beat me.’
According to the National Cancer Institute, gastric cancer is cancer that starts in the cells lining the stomach.
Symptoms may include common conditions like indigestion and stomach pain.
In stage 4, cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs, liver, distant lymph nodes and the tissue that lines the abdomen wall.
Devastated social media users praised Douglas for documenting her cancer journey
Tributes have poured in following news of Douglas’s death, with many expressing just how much her cancer journey had an effect.
‘I’ve never been so impacted by someone I’ve never met,’ one said. ‘What a gut-wrenching honor it was to learn from her and pray for her in her final days.
‘Won’t stop praying for your family and honoring her memory in my own family for the rest of my life! Praying for you all constantly.’
‘My goodness I am so sorry,’ another wrote. ‘I found Carly through her announcement post and have been so inspired by her since then. Covering your family in so much prayer.’
Douglas is survived by her husband David and her children, her parents, siblings and extended family.
A celebration of her life is due to take place on June 20 at Taylors First Baptist Church in South Carolina and guests have been asked to wear bright colours.
‘While our grief on this side of eternity is immense, we find peace in knowing that the faith Carly carried throughout her life has now become sight,’ her obituary continued.
‘She is healed, whole, and home.’
