At a Glance
- Mackenzie Paul died at 26 after a 2-year battle with acute myeloid leukemia.
- She gained nearly 30,000 followers by sharing her journey on TikTok and Instagram.
- Her #TakingBackWhatCancerTookFromMe series and My Mantra Project gave voice to other fighters.
- Why it matters: Her story shows how social media, art, and community can transform a cancer journey into a legacy of hope.
Mackenzie Paul-the TikTok star who shared every twist of her acute myeloid leukemia battle-has died at 26. Her candid videos, art projects, and online community inspired thousands, turning her struggle into a beacon of hope. The following story details her diagnosis, activism, and the legacy she leaves behind.
Early Diagnosis and Viral Rise
In August 2023, a 23-year-old second-year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine discovered she had acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The former Lake Superior State University athlete said she was prompted to see a doctor after feeling dizzy during a clinical rotation. “Other than being more tired, I really didn’t have any symptoms,” she told News Of Los Angeles exclusively. “My whole life I’ve been really healthy. I was a college athlete. But I remember looking at my labs and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is horrible.'”
Her diagnosis and subsequent treatment journey quickly went viral on TikTok, where she began posting short videos that detailed her daily experiences, hospital visits, and the emotional toll of the disease. Within weeks, her authenticity and openness drew a large audience, and she amassed nearly 30,000 followers.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 2023 | Diagnosis of AML; first viral TikTok post |
| October 2023 | Interview with News Of Los Angeles |
| November 2025 | Shares transplant expectations and reality |
| Summer 2024 | Cancer relapse; begins sketching |
| 2025 | Launches My Mantra Project |
| Date of death | 26-year-old dies |
Social Media Advocacy
Paul’s #TakingBackWhatCancerTookFromMe series became a daily practice of celebrating small victories. She used the hashtag to highlight moments of strength, from a successful medication regimen to a brief period of remission. The series helped her connect with others who were fighting cancer, addiction, or mental health challenges.
She also leveraged Instagram to post longer reflections, using the platform’s carousel feature to share before-and-after images of her health, and to promote her evolving art. Her community grew not just for her own story but for the stories she amplified.
Key Highlights of Her Online Presence
- Transparency: She openly discussed ICU stays and moments when she could not breathe on her own.
- Daily Wins: Each video celebrated a small triumph, turning her narrative into a hopeful anthem.
- Community Support: Followers sent messages of encouragement, which she shared in her posts.
Artistic Response and My Mantra Project
When her cancer returned in the summer of 2024, Paul turned to sketching as a form of healing. The drawings soon evolved into a larger project: My Mantra Project (@mymantra.project on Instagram). The initiative featured portraits of “fighters of all kinds” – people battling cancer, addiction, or mental health challenges – paired with the personal mantras that sustain them.
Each portrait was shared as a time-lapse video with a voiceover telling that person’s story. “Hearing and sharing these stories has been both empowering and deeply inspiring,” Paul said. She also used TikTok to reach a wider audience, captioning her self-portrait with, “Welcome to #MyMantraProject … I’m Mackenzie Paul, cancer fighter and artist. Here’s my mantra 🖤 #IAmTheStorm ⛈️.”
Elements of the Project
- Portraits: Hand-drawn images of fellow fighters.
- Mantras: Personal affirmations that keep participants motivated.
- Time-lapse Videos: Short, engaging clips that capture the creative process.
- Voiceovers: Narratives that provide context and emotional depth.
Family Support
Paul’s husband, Brandon, confirmed her passing in a heartfelt video on Facebook. “As you know, Kenzie is in heaven now,” he said. “Selfishly, I wish she was here, still with me, and it’s going to take the whole rest of my life to get over this. But the one thing I am really, really happy about is that she’s not in pain anymore.”
He added, “The past two and a half years, I’ve been blessed to be married to the best woman out there. I also had to see her go through some very, very tough times, and you know, she was pretty transparent when it came to social media, but there were times when she was in the ICU and she was not breathing on her own – times none of us really shared – and it was a miracle that she made it this far.”
Brandon continued, “It doesn’t even feel real. I appreciate all the prayers…but I just want to go up here and update everybody because I know everybody wanted to know how Kenzie was doing…She was my rock, she was my best friend, she’s always going to be my best friend.”
Legacy
Paul’s story is a testament to the power of vulnerability, creativity, and community. She showed that even in the darkest moments, sharing one’s experience can ignite hope in others. Her art, her social media presence, and the support she received from her husband and followers will continue to inspire those fighting similar battles.
Her journey-from a sudden diagnosis to a viral advocate, artist, and community builder-remains a beacon for anyone facing a life-changing illness.
Key Takeaways
- Authentic storytelling can transform personal hardship into collective hope.
- Artistic expression serves as a therapeutic outlet for patients and their supporters.
- Community support-both online and offline-plays a critical role in patient resilience.
Remembering Mackenzie
Mackenzie Paul’s legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched. Her message of resilience, hope, and the power of sharing remains a guiding light for many.
