Kenya, Aug. 6 -- Actress Kelley Mack, aged 33, known for her roles in The Walking Dead and Chicago Med, passed away on August 2, 2025, in Cincinnati, Ohio, from diffuse midline glioma, a rare and aggressive brain cancer described as a turbo cancer due to its rapid progression.
Diagnosed in September 2024, Mack's condition deteriorated swiftly, raising questions about potential links to external factors, including her reported mRNA vaccination required for on-set work in Chicago Med and various commercials.
Her family, led by sister Kathryn Klebenow, announced her passing on Instagram, sparking tributes and debates about vaccine safety and rare cancers.
Kelley Mack's brain cancer battle began with symptoms she initially mistook for back pain, leading to an emergency MRI that revealed an abnormal mass on her spinal cord in September 2024.
Diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma, a rare tumor affecting the brainstem and spinal cord, Mack faced severe physical challenges, losing the use of her right leg and partial function of her left after a biopsy, requiring a wheelchair and walker.
Despite aggressive proton radiation treatment completed in March 2025, the cancer's rapid spread, termed "turbo cancer" in some discussions, proved fatal within 11 months. Mack's courage, documented in Instagram updates, inspired fans, with her final post celebrating small victories like climbing stairs with her partner Logan's support.
Diffuse midline glioma, as defined by the National Cancer Institute, is an aggressive brain tumor primarily affecting the brainstem, thalamus, or spinal cord, with a median survival of 33.3 months and survival rates dropping to 45% at three years.
Symptoms include headaches, nausea, seizures, and mobility issues, which Mack experienced as severe back pain and leg paralysis. The Cleveland Clinic notes that gliomas, formed from out-of-control glial cells, are the most common malignant brain tumors in adults, though Mack's case was notably rapid.
Speculation about "turbo cancer" links to mRNA vaccines lacks peer-reviewed evidence, but her diagnosis shortly after vaccination has fueled online discussions.
The mRNA vaccine controversy surrounding Mack's death stems from unverified claims on X that her cancer was linked to the vaccine she reportedly took under pressure to work on Chicago Med and commercials for brands like Dr Pepper and Rakuten. A post by @DiedSuddenly_
suggested her glioma was a "turbo cancer" induced by mRNA shots, reporting a 112,000% increase in cerebral thrombosis post-vaccination, though no direct link to gliomas exists.
Mainstream sources, including the Mayo Clinic, confirm no conclusive evidence ties mRNA vaccines to cancer, but public skepticism persists, amplified by Mack's high-profile case and similar anecdotes shared on X.
The controversy shows ongoing debates about vaccine mandates in Hollywood.
Kelley Mack's Hollywood career spanned television and film, with her breakout role as Addy in The Walking Dead Season 9 (2018-2019), portraying a Hilltop Colony teen in the Whisperers storyline.
She played Penelope Jacobs in Chicago Med Season 8 and appeared in 9-1-1, Schooled, and films like Broadcast Signal Intrusion (2021) and Delicate Arch (2024).
Mack also voiced Gwen Stacy in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and starred in Universal (2025), a comedy-drama she executive-produced, premiered at the Chinese Theatre.
A Chapman University cinematography graduate, Mack's early work included commercials and an award-winning role in The Elephant Garden (2008), earning her a Tisch School Acting Award.
Turbo cancer speculation, a term trending on X, refers to rapidly progressing cancers allegedly linked to mRNA vaccines, though no scientific consensus supports this.
Mack's case, with its swift 11-month progression from diagnosis to death, has been cited in posts like @NicHulscher's, claiming mRNA shots disrupt gene expression, potentially triggering cancers.
Critics argue these claims lack rigorous evidence, as gliomas like Mack's are inherently aggressive, with survival rates as low as 45% at three years.
Mack's death has left a void in Hollywood, with tributes from co-stars and fans praising her as a "bright, fervent light." A memorial is planned for August 16 in Glendale, Ohio, with a Los Angeles celebration to follow.
Her family noted symbolic butterfly sightings, reflecting her enduring spirit. As debates about her cancer's cause persist, Mack's legacy as a versatile actress and storyteller endures, urging a deeper look at health, transparency, and the pressures faced by rising stars in the entertainment industry
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.