Rebecca Luna, a TikTok personality with more than 47,000 followers, has died at the age of 49 after a battle with early onset Alzheimer's disease. She chose Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) and passed away on July 25 at approximately 1:15 pm, surrounded by loved ones.
Decision to end her life
Rebecca had revealed her choice to end her life several days earlier in an emotional online message. She said: "It's a hard decision to make, because I'm living in a body that doesn't feel comfortable, safe, good, nothing. It feels terrible. This is when I get to prioritise myself, and I haven't done that my whole life. I've suffered enough in this world."
She added: "I hope if I leave this planet that's the only thing I teach - and that's the only thing that somebody gets something out of - is that you just need to act your way into loving yourself. If I can do it, you can do it too."
Diagnosis and fundraising
Rebecca received her Young Onset Alzheimer's diagnosis last year. She was a single mother and during her final days had been fundraising for her family, having established a GoFundMe to provide for them. She wrote: "My lovely followers suggested I do a GoFundMe for the end-of-life expenses, so I don't leave my loved ones behind with that responsibility on top of their own grief."
Advocacy and bucket list
Following her diagnosis, she turned to social media to offer support to others facing a similar battle. She chronicled her medical appointments, the hurdles she encountered and her decision to pursue MAID, while becoming a passionate advocate for those in comparable situations. Luna also gained attention when she revealed that meeting Lily Allen featured on her bucket list. The singer extended an invitation to one of her concerts, an experience Luna later described as amongst the most joyful moments of her life.
A statement posted online by her eldest daughter, Maya, said: "Rebecca passed away July 25th at approximately 1.15 pm, surrounded by her loved ones. Thank you for your support and privacy."
