Jessica Daugirdas, a Brazilian social media influencer who gained widespread recognition for openly sharing her cancer journey with thousands of followers online, has died at the age of 35. Her family officially confirmed the heartbreaking news through her verified Instagram account on January 25, marking the end of her nearly three-year battle with colorectal cancer.
A Courageous Battle Against Colorectal Cancer
Jessica had been living with colorectal cancer for approximately three years, during which she transformed her personal health struggle into a source of inspiration and support for countless individuals facing similar challenges. Her death occurred just days after her sister, Gabi Daugirdas, revealed that Jessica had been hospitalized with a severe case of sepsis, requiring intensive medical care and monitoring.
Family's Heartfelt Announcement
In their emotional announcement written in Portuguese, Jessica's family expressed their profound grief while celebrating her remarkable resilience. They stated, "It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Jessica. God, in His infinite wisdom, has taken our warrior to be with Him, after she fought bravely until the end, with strength, faith and courage." The family concluded their message with a meaningful Bible verse from 2 Timothy 4:7: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
Building an Online Community Through Vulnerability
Over the years, Jessica cultivated a substantial and compassionate online community across platforms including Instagram and TikTok, where she amassed more than 100,000 followers. What distinguished her presence was her unwavering honesty about the realities of living with cancer—she spoke candidly about pain, fear, hope, and the daily challenges of her condition. For many followers, Jessica transcended the typical influencer role, becoming a powerful symbol of bravery and resilience during illness.
Documenting the Cancer Journey
Jessica first revealed her colorectal cancer diagnosis in March 2025, after doctors discovered the disease following symptoms of constipation and blood in her stool. A subsequent colonoscopy confirmed the presence of a polyp in her rectum, beginning her challenging medical journey.
From that initial diagnosis forward, Jessica made the conscious decision to document her experience publicly, sharing updates about her treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. She also spoke openly about adapting to life with an ostomy bag, providing rare insight into aspects of cancer treatment that are often kept private.
Honest Reflections on the Struggle
In her social media posts, Jessica balanced discussions of both good days and difficult moments with remarkable authenticity. In a December 28, 2023 post, she described that year as "the hardest of my life," while simultaneously sharing the profound lessons her illness had taught her. She emphasized that cancer had shown her the importance of learning to depend on others, writing, "There were days when I needed someone even to help me get dressed."
Many of her followers expressed that Jessica's raw honesty helped them feel less isolated in their own health struggles, creating a virtual support network that extended far beyond traditional medical care.
Final Health Updates
Just five days before her passing, on January 21, Jessica's sister Gabi provided followers with a health update, explaining that Jessica remained hospitalized in the semi-intensive care unit due to the serious sepsis infection. Gabi noted that Jessica was receiving comprehensive medical treatment and close family monitoring, but was too weak to use her phone due to the intensive medication regimen.
Jessica Daugirdas's legacy extends beyond her social media metrics—she demonstrated how vulnerability and transparency can create meaningful connections and provide genuine support to those navigating similar health challenges. Her family's announcement emphasized that she fought until her final moments with the same strength, faith, and courage that characterized her entire public journey.
