Cheyann Shaw.Photo: Cheyann Shaw/instagram
Cheyann Shaw, a fitness influencer who competed in bodybuilding competitions, has died at the age of 27.
Her death was announced in astatement shared on her Instagramon Monday.
“With heavy hearts, we are sad to announce that our beautiful girl Cheyann has been called home to heaven,” the statement read. “Thank you all for your support and encouragement over the years. If there’s one thing Cheyann taught us is that no matter what battles we face, we can always find a reason to smile through them. 🦋 ✨”
Shaw was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer in August 2016.
Cheyann Shaw.
Sheopened up to PEOPLEabout the diagnosis that December, saying, “When I was first diagnosed, I was scared, but it went away quickly. I knew that I had no choice but to fight. I wasn’t going to let cancer win.
“I also knew that my husband and family need me and there is no way I am leaving them,” Shaw said. “So that is when I put my boxing gloves on and got in the ring to knock cancer out.”
Shaw started chemotherapy shortly after her diagnosis and underwent a five-and-a-half-hour surgery in October 2016, during which doctors took out her spleen, appendix, part of her colon and performed a full hysterectomy.
A year later, Shaw announced that doctors had found “no evidence” of cancer in her body.
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“NED= No Evidence of Disease!🙏🏻 A 3 letter word that I never knew I would love so much!” shewrote in a November 2017 post. “It’s crazy to look back on the 1 year and 3 month battle against cancer I faced and to sit here and say that I DID IT!💪🏻.”
Shaw spent the next two years sharing her fitness tips and providing health updates to her followers.
On Jan. 15, 2020, a day after her 27th birthday, Shaw revealed that “there is cancer in 4 of my lymph nodes.”
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Shaw began another round of chemotherapy in March, writing on her Instagram at the time, “It felt weird checking back in for chemo.”
“This entire thing is freaking weird for me right now but this morning when I woke up, I felt confident and I felt peaceful. When I walked through the doors to get chemo, I felt comfort and reassurance. I felt God and I didn’t feel alone,” she said. “Today was a great day, to kick cancers butt.”
Shawgave her last update in December, posting a photo of herself from the hospital bed.
Cheyann Shaw.Cheyann Shaw/instagram
“Hey y’all! It’s been a minute since my last update but things have been going well! I’ve been in and out of the hospital with a liver issue that has been fixed and now I’m on a feeding tube which is totally okay. Your girl needed some help with food lol,” she captioned the shot. “I start chemo on Tuesday and should be going home today or tomorrow, just in time for Christmas. Keep the prayers coming and keeping sending all the light.”
On Monday, Shaw’s husband, Kaleb Shaw, shared aheartfelt tributeto the fitness model following her death.
“My heart is broken. I can’t imagine my life without her,” he wrote on his own Instagram. “I know she is in a better place away from the pain and suffering that comes with dealing with cancer. She is my hero, best friend and inspired not only myself, but thousands of people around the world. Please continue to pray for my family as we go thought this difficult time.”
source: people.com
