Diem Brown

Diem Brown was an American reality television personality and entertainment reporter who rose to fame as a recurring cast member on the MTV series The Challenge. She also founded MedGift, a web-based advocacy service that provides a gift registry for patients and support pages to both people experiencing illnesses and their caregivers. Brown was born in Germany on June 12, 1980, to an Army family. She moved frequently with her parents and three siblings before settling in the United States. She attended high school in Roswell, Georgia, and graduated from Florida State University with a degree in communications. She was a member of Delta Gamma sorority. Brown made her debut on The Challenge: Fresh Meat in 2006, where she revealed that she had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 23. She competed in seven additional seasons of The Challenge, becoming a fan favorite for her competitive spirit, charismatic personality and signature hair-flip. She also had a tumultuous on-and-off relationship with fellow cast member Chris "CT" Tamburello, whom she met on The Duel in 2006. Brown battled ovarian cancer twice more in 2012 and 2014. She documented her cancer journey on her blog for People.com and became an advocate and inspiration for others facing similar challenges. She also worked as an entertainment reporter for the Associated Press, Sky Living and Foxnews.com. She hosted the MTV.com special Surviving Cancer and appeared on shows like The Doctors and Dr. Drew on Call. Brown died on November 14, 2014, at the age of 34, in New York City. She was surrounded by her family and friends, including Tamburello, who proposed to her in the hospital. She was buried at the Quantico National Cemetery in Virginia. Her funeral service was held at the Church of St. Francis Xavier in Manhattan, where country singer Trisha Yearwood performed. Brown's legacy lives on through MedGift, which she founded in 2013 as a way to help patients obtain support from family and friends while in treatment. MedGift's mission is to "empower those facing a health-related hardship or need with emotional support and financial resources." Brown's friends and family have requested that donations in her honor be made to MedGift.