Dr. Kimberley Nix, a Canadian doctor known for sharing her cancer journey on TikTok and Instagram, died on Wednesday, May 9. She was 31.
Dr. Nix, who had been battling cancer, prepared a final TikTok video that was shared after her death, announcing her passing to her followers. The video quickly gained over 6.3 million views.
In her last message, Nix greeted her followers and invited new viewers to learn from her posts about sarcoma, the type of cancer she fought against. She expressed gratitude for the support and love she received, highlighting the purpose and joy she found through sharing her experiences.
Nix had attracted close to 150,000 followers on TikTok, with many of her videos reaching over a million views. She used the platform to educate about sarcoma, a cancer affecting soft tissues or bones, throughout her personal battle with the disease.
Diagnosed with metastatic undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma at 28, Nix was candid about the disease’s impacts and her treatments, which included daily chemotherapy.
Despite a challenging prognosis, Nix remained optimistic and often shared what she was grateful for, focusing on the joys in life beyond her cancer diagnosis. Her resilience and outlook resonated with many, as seen in the comments mourning her loss.
This disease has around an 18% five-year survival rate once it has metastasized to other parts of the body.
Born in Alberta, Nix was completing her core residency in internal medicine when diagnosed. Given sarcoma’s rarity and its lack of specific screening tests, she was motivated to speak out about her symptoms, hoping to raise awareness. The emergence of a small tumor on her leg was a critical symptom that led to her diagnosis.
The courageous patient reported that the tumor grew from the size of a pea to the size of a golf ball within a week.
Throughout her journey, Nix remained focused on inspiring others to fully appreciate life, emphasizing the significance of family, friends, and small joys amidst difficulties. Her final days were marked by gratitude, and the companionship of loved ones, including a visit from a college friend.
Nix is survived by her husband, Michael MacIsaac. Her story, shared through social media, has made a lasting impact on her audience and serves as a reminder of her message to find beauty and meaning in everyday moments.
In her farewell video, she said, “Hello followers, if you’re seeing this message I have passed away peacefully. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Kim, hi! It’s so nice to meet you and you’re welcome to check out all the cool sarcoma facts, information, and my lived experience with death and dying with sarcoma cancer. You don’t have to go just because you’re new.”
She continued, “I love you all, thank you so much for this amazing opportunity. I’m in happy tears because you’ve all made me find so much purpose in the end of my life.”
