Hailey Merkt, a vibrant and determined contestant on Season 21 of The Bachelor, has passed away at the age of 31 after a courageous battle with leukaemia.
Her family shared the heartbreaking news on her Instagram page, praising her unwavering strength, grace, and selflessness in the face of adversity.
“It is with broken hearts we share that our beloved Hailey has passed away after a courageous fight for her life,” it read. “Hailey faced this journey with unimaginable strength, grace and selflessness.
Her determination, courage and will to live surpassed every timeline the doctors gave her, and she chose to spend her final moments surrounded by loved ones and doing what she cherished most with no regrets.”
Hailey Merkt, the vibrant and hilarious former Bachelor contestant, may be gone, but her unforgettable spirit and zest for life will never be forgotten.
Her loved ones remembered her as a shining star who lived in the moment, touching countless hearts with her beautiful energy.
Though her cancer journey was bravely shared on Instagram, Hailey’s fight came to an end.
The GoFundMe page, initially set up to support her treatment costs, will remain open until August 10, 2024, for those wishing to offer condolences in lieu of flowers. In a poignant twist, 100% of the funds raised will now go towards supporting Hailey’s mother, Michele, in covering the overwhelming costs that remain.
Hailey’s story took a heartbreaking turn after she announced being ‘leukaemia-free’ in April, only to face the devastating return of her leukaemia cells just six weeks later.
“Her first reaction was to say, ‘I don’t care about myself anymore, but I can’t bear being the cause of so much pain for the people I love,” the fundraiser organizer Christopher Bennett recalled.
He added that his late friend wanted to “live every last minute she had to the fullest: being with the people she loved and doing the things she loved, and she loved doing so many simple things.
“A drink on a patio. Being in the sun. Her family and friends. Her dog, Snuggles. Swimming. An organized cupboard. A checklist of tasks is all ticked off. Hanging out in a favourite park. Looking beautiful, with all the creativity that entails. Being beautiful. A beautiful soul.”
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