Malaysian actress Tiffany Leong lost her battle with liver cancer at the age of 30 today (December 28).
In July 2013, the former Mediacorp artiste was diagnosed with multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndrome, a hereditary disease where the endocrine glands are overactive or form a tumour (in her case, it caused early stage liver cancer), and underwent surgery to remove 60 percent of her liver in early October the same year. She also took a break from the industry in order to recuperate.
After the operation, Tiffany appeared to be on the road to recovery. However, according to Malaysian reports, she had to bow out of shooting drama Turning Point in January this year when she was found to have bacterial infection in her blood.
She was admitted to a hospital in Kuala Lumpur on Christmas Eve after suffering a relapse. According to a statement shared by her family on her Facebook page, Tiffany passed away peacefully this afternoon, and they urged the public to give them time and space to sort out her funeral arrangements.
Several artistes have taken to their social media pages to pay tribute to the late star. Xiang Yun said she would always remember her “sweet smile” and "kind heart"; Zen Chong wrote, “No matter where you are, you will still be the Tiffany that I love”; Apple Hong shared a picture of a group outing and expressed, “I did not expect that meeting to be our last”; and Yao Wenlong wished her happiness and health in heaven.
Prior to her diagnosis, Tiffany starred in a number of Channel 8 productions including Priceless Wonder, Code of Honour and The Quarters. Her last appearance was in Mind Game. She was also nominated for the Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes at the 2011 Star Awards.