Michele Hajal, the third runner-up in the Miss Lebanon 2016 competition, died Monday of cancer at the age of 25.
Hajal's sister Paula announced the news in a Facebook post, writing: "Keep smiling from up above", and then later posted Hajal's funeral notice.
Michele at the Miss Lebanon competition:
Hajal was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, a cancer that affects the immune system, last year.
After treatment in Lebanon failed to bring results, Hajal launched a campaign called #FightWithMichele to raise $750,000 (Dh2.7 million) for treatment in the United States.
Hajal traveled to the MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Texas to receive treatment for two months. On January 1 of this year, she posted on her Instagram account a thank you message to her supporters announcing that she was "cancer free".
"After two months of pain and stress, I am in complete remission now." she said. Unfortunately, the disease returned.
Hajal was posting inspirational messages and videos on her Instagram until just a few months ago.
Since news of her death broke, celebrities and fans have been paying tribute to young Hajal, and Lebanese superstar Nancy Ajram wrote on Twitter: "Words cannot express the sadness in my heart. Rest in peace beautiful soul!"
Words cannot express the sadness in my heart. Rest in peace beautiful soul! #MicheleHajal🙏🏻🌹 pic.twitter.com/58le567eMd
— Nancy Ajram (@NancyAjram) June 17, 2019
Lebanese singer Elissa wrote: "You are a hero in the eyes of everyone."
إنتي بطلة بعيون الكل. الله يرحمك يمكن الله ريّحك من عذاباتك. الله يعطي كل اللي بتحبيهن الصبر والراحة عا فراقك. الله يرحمك يا ميشيل pic.twitter.com/omd1dzCaZI
— Elissa (@elissakh) June 17, 2019
Lebanese poet Ali Mawla wrote a few poetic verses with the hashtag #You_are_stronger_than_cancer in Arabic.
ما تكون متلو جبان
— Ali Mawla (@mawlali) June 18, 2019
عيّطلو باسمو "سرطان"
خلي يعرف انك عارف
ولو قلّك شعرك رح يوقع
قلو عادي بكرا بيطلع
اوعى تبيّن انك خايف#ميشيل_حجل #انت_اقوى_من_السرطان
Hajal's funeral will take place on Wednesday, June 19 in Jal El Deeb, Lebanon.
