The Bachelor Season 21’s Hailey Merkt has tragically died from cancer.
The Bachelor star Hailey Merkt’s death was announced in a statement shared on Instagram, which read, “It is with broken hearts we share that our beloved Hailey has passed away after a courageous fight for her life.”
“Hailey faced this journey with unimaginable strength, grace, and selflessness,” the statement continued alongside several photos of Merkt. “Her determination, courage, and will to live surpassed every timeline the doctors gave her, and she chose to spend her final moments surrounded by loved ones and doing what she cherished most with no regrets.”
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The statement continued: “She will forever be remembered as anything but boring, always hysterically funny, and as someone who lived fully in the present moment. Hailey embraced life with an unmatched zest; her beautiful spirit has touched countless lives.”
Merkt documented her cancer journey online after being diagnosed with leukaemia. In October, she shared, “A rare moment caught smiling during treatment :).”
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Merkt, who was diagnosed with leukaemia, chronicled her experience with cancer on the internet. On her GoFundMe page in April, she announced that she was “leukaemia free.” An update was also posted on the fundraising page as word about her passing spread.
“After the bone marrow transplant had been taken, she was told she had nine months to not even think about cancer, but in truth, she only had six weeks before she got the terrible news that leukaemia cells were back and moving fast” the update from organizer Christopher Bennett read in part. “Her first reaction was to say, ‘I don’t care about myself anymore, but I can’t bear being the cause of so much pain for the people I love.’”
“I am in awe of her. She had such clarity and independence and grace,” the update continued. “She decided she wanted to live every last minute she had to the fullest: being with the people she loved and doing the things she loved, and she loved doing so many simple things. A drink on a patio. Being in the sun. Her family and friends. Her dog, Snuggles. Swimming. An organized cupboard. A checklist of tasks is all ticked off. Hanging out in a favourite park. Looking beautiful, with all the creativity that entails. Being beautiful. A beautiful soul.”
The GoFundMe page will remain open until August 10.
