The Dutch media space—and far beyond—is discussing a tragic news: Jade Kops, the young influencer and writer, has passed away. In recent years, she became a symbol of openness and resilience for thousands of followers. Her death at 19, after five years of battling a rare form of cancer, has sparked a wave of sympathy and support. The details of her last days and farewell letter have received particular attention.
A public farewell
Jade Kops’ family was the first to announce her passing, sharing a brief but heartfelt message on Instagram. In it, her loved ones not only expressed their pride in their daughter and sister’s courage, but also invited everyone who had followed Jade’s journey to say their goodbyes in person. Instead of flowers, the family suggested making a donation to the foundation Jade herself established to support families facing childhood cancer. According to Divinity, all proceeds will go toward cancer research.
A story of struggle and recognition
Jade was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma at the age of 14. From that moment, her life changed: she not only openly documented every stage of treatment on social media, but also wrote a book, ‘Voor Altijd Jong’ (‘Forever Young’), where she detailed how the illness turned her world upside down. Her honesty and determination helped raise more than two million euros for the Prinses Máxima Centrum in Utrecht, and her own foundation, Stichting Jade, became a support point for many families.
Jade quickly became a prominent figure in the Dutch influencer community: nearly half a million followers on Instagram, national recognition, and even a state award — in October 2024 she was appointed a member of the Order of Orange-Nassau for her contribution to society. Her story is not only about battling illness but also about how personal tragedy can become a driving force for change.
The last letter and the response
On April 6, Jade published her final post — an emotional letter in which she spoke candidly about fear, pain, and how her illness was gradually taking away her familiar life. She made no secret: every day was a challenge, and her desire to remain close to her loved ones was stronger than her fear of the unknown. These words went viral, sparking a wave of support and discussion on social media.
The attention given to Jade Kops’s farewell is comparable to how the Spanish public recently discussed the family farewell ceremony of Fiorella de Angelis — the details of this event also sparked widespread resonance among fans and colleagues.
What is known about the illness
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare and aggressive type of cancer that most often affects children and adolescents. The tumor develops from skeletal muscle cells and can impact the head, neck, genitourinary system, or limbs. The disease progresses rapidly, and treatment demands enormous physical and emotional resources.
The story of Jade Kops is not only one of personal tragedy, but also about how one young woman managed to change society’s attitude toward childhood cancer, bring visibility to the issue, and build a supportive community around her. Her contribution to charity and open dialogue about the illness will be remembered by many.
