Sad news of a bright light dimmed far too soon. E! News confirms that Daisy Lewellyn, star of Bravo’s “Blood Sweat and Heels” has passed away after her battle with a rare liver cancer. The television personality, style maven and author was 36.
In an episode of Essence Live, Lewellyn spoke about living in the spotlight following her February 2015 diagnosis:
“Season 1, everyone who didn’t know me got to see my life, and the champagne, the fabulous heels, I’m doing makeovers and my book. In Season 2 was a total, total curveball. I was diagnosed with Stage III bile duct cancer. Super rare; no one’s really heard about it. I mean, of course, my doctors know. But I decided, You know what? If I’m on a reality show showing my life, life isn’t always roses, you know? So I wanted to show this part, which was interesting for me because I was going through the journey as we were taping.”
The 2015 finale showed Lewellyn celebrating the end of her radiation treatments.
Bile duct cancer starts in the bile ducts, which are the thin tubes that reach from the liver to the small intestine. Bile ducts are designed to remove bile from the liver and gallbladder and move it to the small intestine to help with digestion. According to the American Cancer Society, the average age of people diagnosed with this type of cancer is 70. It is not a common type of cancer, affecting only about 2,000 to 3,000 Americans each year.
Risk factors for bile duct cancer include:
- Family history
- Age (60% of bile duct cancer patients are over age 65)
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Exposure to hazardous materials
- Liver cirrhosis and excessive alcohol use
- Parasitic infections
- Diseases of the liver and bile duct (e.g., polycystic liver disease, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), irritable bowel syndrome, choledochal cysts)
Before joining “Blood, Sweat and Heels,” Lewellyn, a native of California, was an acclaimed style editor for publications like Essence, InStyle and Glamour. In 2010, she published “Never Pay Retail Again: Shop Smart, Spend Less, & Look Your Best Ever,” showcasing her expert fashion sense and style.
Bravo released the following statement:
“We are devastated to learn that Daisy Lewellyn from Bravo’s Blood, Sweat & Heels has passed away this morning after a battle with a rare form of Cancer. Daisy passed on in peace and filled with joy, surrounded by her family and friends. We are all saddened to lose this wonderful woman. Our thoughts and deepest sympathy is expressed.”
‘Blood, Sweat and Heels’ Star Daisy Lewellyn Passes At 36 From Rare Cancer was originally published on blackdoctor.org
