'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Bachelor alum Hailey Merkt passed away at the age of 31. The former reality star had been vocal about her struggles with leukemia. She was diagnosed in October 2022 and after undergoing a bone marrow transplant a few weeks prior, her battle with cancer came to an end on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Hailey's family took to her Instagram account on July 30 to share the news of her demise. The post caption read:
"She will forever be remembered as anything but boring, always hysterically funny, and as someone who lived fully in the present moment. Hailey embraced life with an unmatched zest; her beautiful spirit has touched countless lives."
For the unversed, The Bachelor season 21 featured Nick Viall as its frontrunner and aired in 2017. Hailey was one of the many suitresses who appeared in his season.
Trending
The Bachelor alum Hailey Merkt's family pens an emotional note after her demise
In an Instagram post that was shared a week ago, Hailey's family broke the news of her passing and invited people to share their fond memories with the dearly departed. The caption read:
"It is with broken hearts we share that our beloved Hailey has passed away after a courageous fight for her life. Hailyafaced this journey with unimaginable strength, grace, and selflessness."
Her family further praised the Bachelor Nation star's "determination" and "courage" in the post and said that her will to live "surpassed every timeline that the doctors gave her." Hailey chose to spend her final moments surrounded by loved ones and doing what she cherished most with no regrets, the post read.
"Hailey will be profoundly missed by all who knew her. Her laughter, her love, and her vibrant spirit have left an undeniable mark on our hearts. While we grieve her loss, we find comfort in knowing that her spirit will live on in all the lives she touched. Rest in peace, Hailey," the caption read.
Season 21 alum's family decided to keep her GoFundMe page active till August 10, 2024. For the unversed, this page was set up by fundraiser organizer, Christopher Bennett, on behalf of Hailey's mother, Michele. He explained the former reality star's cancer journey on the crowdfunding website.
As per the GoFundMe page, when Hailey found out that the leukemia cells had returned, she was not worried about herself. She didn't want to be the "cause of so much pain" for the people she loved.
On April 17, 2024, the former reality star posted an update on the website, telling people that she was "leukemia free." At the time, she said that she was part of an experimental treatment that helped her get a stem cell transplant. The Bachelor alum also stated that there was only a "2% chance of it working."
Detailing her journey, Hailey wrote:
"I was then immediately led into preparation for a stem cell transplant. The donor match was luckily found fast. As it was my brother, Kyle :) He jumped into action the day he got the call and donated his stem cells on his birthday for me."
She called the months following the procedure "scary" and noted she had become "very sick" in different ways. The Bachelor season 21 cast member said she became a "shell" of herself and lost 40 pounds. She added that since the procedure worked, she was able to go home and rest.
Hailey assured her followers at the time that she was getting stronger "every week," but the focus was still on the "100-day post-transplant biopsy." She added that it would tell her how well the transplant worked and if there was still leukemia in her body.
"I still have a ton of healing. My immunity will be the same as a new born up till 12 months post transplant, so I'll be slowly and carefully be getting better day by day," she added.
Several Bachelor Nation stars such as Raven Gates Gottschalk, and Nick Viall expressed sadness over the loss and noted that Hailey would not be forgotten.
The Bachelor aired season 28 earlier this year, which saw Joey Graziadei as its frontrunner. Episodes of all seasons of the dating show are available to stream on ABC and Hulu.
