Who was Bailey Hutchins? Family mourns as TikTok star dies two years after colon cancer diagnosis

Bailey Hutchins, a 26-year-old TikTok personality and a professional nurse, died after fighting colon cancer for two years. Bailey, who was open with her followers about her fight against cancer, used her condition to raise awareness of the early signs of colorectal cancer.

Her husband, Caden Hutchins, announced her death on social media. Bailey, who is originally from Florida, was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in January 2023 at the age of 24. But she had supposedly faced symptoms as early as 2021.

Bailey Hutchins was a Florida-based registered nurse who had intertwined her healthcare work with social media. On Instagram and TikTok, she detailed facets of her life and career, reaching a wide range of audience.

In one of her TikTok videos, she described having an unusual amount of burping on a holiday in Tennessee. She initially considered the symptom harmless. She later had severe acid reflux, which occasionally caused her to vomit as reported by Daily Mail.

By late 2022, she started experiencing abdominal pain and cramping and went to get help from a doctor. Doctors found a tumor obstructing her colon, and she quickly began chemotherapy.

In her videos, Bailey frequently lamented that she hadn’t paid closer attention to her early symptoms. Despite her health challenges, she continued using her platform to spread awareness and educate her audience on the importance of early detection.

Bailey Hutchins’ husband and family express grief after her death

By January 2024, Bailey Hutchins’ health was deteriorating and she needed numerous surgeries. Bailey had stage 4 cancer with peritoneal metastasis, meaning the cancer had spread to the lining of her abdomen.

Her treatment put a considerable financial strain on her family because of multiple insurance changes and medical expenses. Her sister-in-law Chloe issued a public plea for support, thanking those who had already donated to help Bailey's care.

Chloe established a GoFundMe campaign to aid the financial requirements for Bailey’s treatments. The campaign has raised $131,245 until now. Her husband, Caden Hutchins, captioned an Instagram post saying:

"Being your husband and caregiver has been such a blessing to me. I am still in such disbelief and in denial that I just lost my best friend."

He called Bailey an inspiration to many, praising her steadfast faith and fortitude during her illness. Bailey Hutchins’ sister, Ashley Rolfes, also honored her on Instagram. Ashley talked about Bailey’s attempts to lead a regular life despite an illness that ultimately took her life.