Cheyann Shaw, a fitness influencer who competed in bodybuilding competitions, has passed away after battling ovarian cancer. She was 27.
On Monday, a statement announcing her death was resealed on her Instagram, which read, “With heavy hearts, we are sad to announce that our beautiful girl Cheyann has been called home to heaven. 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.”
Darci Clark, Shaw’s mother, also released a statement of her own in the heartbreaking post, stating, “My heart is breaking today, our baby girl lost her long battle with ovarian cancer. She fought until the bitter end. She is a true warrior and survivor. She will be truly missed and will forever be in my heart.”
Shaw was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer in August 2016.
In December, she told PEOPLE, “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,” she said. “So that is when I put my boxing gloves on and got in the ring to knock cancer out.”
Shortly after receiving the diagnosis, Shaw started chemotherapy and underwent a five-and-a-half-hour surgery in October 2016. After a year, she announced that doctors had found “no evidence” of cancer in her body.
In November 2017, Shaw wrote, “NED= No Evidence of Disease! A 3 letter word that I never knew I would love so much! 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!”
The next two years, Shaw went on to share her fitness tips and provide health updates to her fans.
In January 2020, Shaw revealed that “there is cancer in 4 of my lymph nodes.”
“I’ve had cancer in the 3 lymph nodes before (2 near the liver and 1 by my groin) when I was back in Seattle and I do have a new one, near my collarbone. It’s not the news I wanted but it is some of the best news in the worst situation,” she wrote on Instagram. “It’s time to put the gloves back on and knock this thing out for good, one last time.”
Shaw gave her last health update in December, posting a photo of herself from the hospital bed, captioning, “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 added. “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.”
Shaw’s husband, Kaleb Shaw, paid a heartfelt tribute to the fitness influencer following her death.
He wrote on Instagram, “My heart is broken. I can’t imagine my life without her. 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,” he added. “Please continue to pray for my family as we go thought this difficult time.” The article appeared on PEOPLE.
