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This 27-Year-Old On TikTok Who Is Dying From Melanoma Wants Everyone To Know Her Story So It Doesn't Happen To Them

"Melanoma was the deadly one, and I had it."

Daniella Emanuel
by Daniella Emanuel

BuzzFeed Staff

Note: On September 7, 2021 — a little over two weeks after I interviewed her for this story — Kassidy died from her cancer. Her older sister left the following message on her TikTok page: "Hi TikTok. I know I'm not the face you wanna see...I'm coming on here to let you guys know that she did pass away on Tuesday night. She was with her fiancé, she was not alone, she was not in pain. But I wanted to also come on and just thank you all so much for following and supporting. And I cannot tell you the amount of times that she would just break down crying because she couldn't believe how many people just loved her from this platform. So thank you so much for all that you've done for her." 


I feel so grateful to Kassidy for being so open about her story, and letting me share it with all of you to help spread awareness about melanoma. 

When 27-year-old Kassidy Pierson was around 18, she started to notice some changes to a mole on her inner thigh that she'd had her entire life. Its shape, size, and color were shifting around. The mole was extremely dry, itchy, and would even bleed at times. But Kassidy was unaware that these symptoms were all key indicators of melanoma. She also didn't have health insurance and was pregnant with her son at the time, so getting her skin checked did not feel like a major priority.

"I waited until I was 21 — when I finally got insurance — to get it checked out, and that’s when they took the biopsy," Kassidy told BuzzFeed. "After two weeks, the dermatologist called me on the phone and told me it was unfortunately skin cancer, and it was melanoma. I then asked him what that meant, as I did not know. He told me that there were a few different types of skin cancer. Melanoma was the deadly one, and I had it."

An illustration of melanoma
Christoph Burgstedt / Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF

According to the America Cancer Society, melanoma occurs when melanocytes — aka the cells that give skin a tan or darker color — grow out of control. Melanoma is a lot less common than other types of skin cancer, but more dangerous, due to its ability to spread widely to other parts of the body.

In a video that now has 1.5 million views on TikTok, Kassidy showed an image of what the mole on her thigh looked like.

Kassidy showing a photo of her mole
TikTok / ohhkayypee

Since the image is slightly blurry, here's a clear photo of what a melanoma looks like (but keep in mind, they can come in many shapes, colors, and sizes):

A melanoma
Bsip / Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Melanomas are identified by what's called "the ABCDEs of melanoma": A is for Asymmetry (most are asymmetrical), B is for Border (they tend to be uneven), C is for Color (multiple colors are bad news), D is for Diameter or Dark (anything the size of a pencil erasure or larger is a warning sign — same with moles that look darker than your other ones), and E is for evolving (changes in size, shape, color, elevation, or symptoms — aka bleeding, itching, or crusting).

Kassidy's first diagnosis was stage 3 melanoma, meaning the cancer had metastasized (spread) to her lymph nodes. The oncologist she had the first year of her diagnosis was a major disappointment — they decided not to do any treatments on Kassidy, and a year later a scan showed that the melanoma had officially spread to everywhere in her body, changing her diagnosis to stage 4.

Her new oncologist was better informed and equipped, but at this point, it was an aggressive battle that needed to be fought. "I was having surgery for a partial hip replacement at the age of 22, only one month after having part of my lung removed. I've done many different kinds of treatments, including immunotherapy, chemo, targeted therapies, studies that were available at the time, clinical trials, radiation, and multiple surgeries," Kassidy said.

After over six years of fighting cancer, a devastating discovery was made, leading to the decision that it was time for Kassidy to go on hospice — aka end-of-life care. This means she has stopped treatment. "Unfortunately, as the melanoma has spread throughout my whole body, it has entered my brain with at least seven new tumors, if not more. Meaning that none of my treatments are working anymore, and unfortunately at this point they have nothing medically they can do. There are no treatments available for me," she said. Kassidy has posted multiple vulnerable videos documenting her cancer journey on TikTok, including this one where she finds out she'll be going on hospice:

@ohhkayypee

Thank you to the incredible followers I have. But, here is the start to my end. #fuckcancer #melanoma #28XTREMES #FerragamoLetsDance #fyp

♬ original sound - Ohhkayypee

Kassidy told BuzzFeed that, so far, hospice has been wonderful. They visit her once a week at home, but will show up if she's ever having a rough time or needs last-minute assistance. "I’ve been staying busy visiting with as many friends and family as possible," she said. "My days are booked full, as we don’t know how long it’ll take me to die. It could be a couple days, weeks, months, or even years! It just depends on the cancer and how fast or slow it moves throughout my body. But I feel good now, and so spending as much time with the ones I love is what I’ve been doing with my days."

She's also been planning her own funeral. "I find it fun," she said. "I’ve been planning things I like with my sisters for the past couple years; just ideas here and there that we liked and thought would be appropriate for who I am as a person."

One thing that's extremely important to Kassidy during this time is making sure her son, Hunter, will be as prepared as possible for life without her. "I am writing letters, making videos, and getting gifts for my child to prepare for the moments I won’t be around for him," she said. "I want him to know how much he means to me. I know they won’t replace who I am or me being in his life. But it will help him know who I am and give him a reminder on those special moments that his mommy is always with him."

Kassidy's biggest support systems have been her fiancé Chris, her son, friends, family, and (as of quite recently) all of her fans on TikTok. "The newfound support from TikTok has been amazing," she said. "The similar stories, the kind acts of strangers gifting things, and saying the most positive and uplifting things to get me through the day, has been absolutely amazing — especially on the tough days. I’ve appreciated it so much, it's made me cry at times. I cannot thank or express how much it means to me, the outpour I’ve received."

When asked how having a terminal illness has influenced her perspective on life, Kassidy said, "It’s made me appreciate everything. All the emotions that come with it. I take them as they come — let them happen when they are meant to, whether I’m happy, angry, sad, or whatever it may be. There's beauty in all of them, it's all a part of life. It also, of course, makes me take each day and every moment in as much as I can. Hugging a little longer, or staying out a little later to spend time with those I love. Just the appreciation of others around me and soaking in all those moments, as life should be like that."

She decided to share her story on social media to both educate people on the silent dangers of melanoma — which can go undetected for years while spreading through your body — and to help make the subject of death less taboo. "I think it should be talked about more openly," she said. "We all die some day. I have an opportunity to share my death, which many don’t get a chance to do. I am blessed I get to say goodbye to my family, and I want to showcase all the ins and outs. The good and the bad of it all. This isn’t pretty and this isn’t easy. But there are good moments in the bad."

"I’m hoping my journey will help others and save people from making the mistake in waiting to go to the dermatologist to get their skin checked because they’ll have to pay. I hope they learn from me. The earlier you get checked, the better. It could save your life," she said.

To see more of Kassidy's journey, make sure to follow her on TikTok. Also, please schedule you annual skin check with your dermatologist if you haven't already! For more information on melanoma and skin cancer, as well as proper sun protection, check out this page.