Diem Brown, the star of MTV's reality show The Challenge, has died at the age of 32. The reality star and ovarian cancer advocate passed away on Friday (14th November).

Diem Brown
Diem Brown photographed in August 2013.

Brown died in New York on Friday morning after battling cancer for more than nine years, as People reports. She was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 23 and was receiving treatment even when she appeared on the twelfth season of The Challenge then known as Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Fresh Meat in 2006. 

She went on to participate in numerous challenges as part of the show and successfully beat off cancer once more in 2012. Sadly Brown collapsed whilst filming another challenge in August of this year and doctors diagnosed her once again with cancer. This time the disease had spread to her colon. Brown had been battling the disease since August and documenting her struggles via Twitter and on her blog.

Her last tweet, written on Tuesday (11th November), showed her true fighting spirit and optimism. However, her doctors appeared to know her days were numbered and friends and family gathered by her bedside this week. Brown wrote "I need prayers and advice my doctors are seemingly giving up but I won't & can't rollover. Whatever option I have to LIVE I'm grabbing!"

Diem Brown
Diem Brown had battled cancer for more than nine years.

Brown used her reality status as a means of raising awareness of ovarian cancer and even set up a charitable organisation, MedGift. The organisation is a registry in which those suffering with similar long term conditions and diseases could raise funds, organise additional support and keep friends and loved ones up to date with their progress. 

MTV paid tribute to Brown describing her as a "true fighter". The statement, obtained by MSNBC, reads: "MTV is tremendously sad to hear the news that Diem Brown has lost her long battle with cancer. We send our deepest condolences to her family and friends. Diem was a true fighter and brought passion to everything she touched. We will miss her."

Contactmusic send their condolences to Diem Brown's family and friends.