Poppy Bilderbeck
Singer Cat Janice has passed away at the age of 31 after releasing music to ensure her seven-year-old son is supported.
The singer-songwriter - full name Catherine Janice Ipsan - was diagnosed with sarcoma in 2022 after finding a lump in her neck in 2021.
While undergoing hospital care, Janice wrote and released multiple songs including 'Dance You Outta My Head' which went viral on TikTok.
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Sarcomas are 'rare cancers that develop in the bones and soft tissues, including fat, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, deep skin tissues and fibrous tissues,' according to John Hopkins Medicine.
When Janice first noticed a lump in her neck, she began documenting her journey to her 1.9 million followers on TikTok. The musician underwent surgery and chemotherapy and in July 2022 was told by doctors she was cancer-free. Devastatingly, the cancer later returned and Janice revealed it had also spread to her lungs, the singer ultimately signing over her whole discography to her seven-year-old son to make sure he was financially supported when she was gone.
When she released 'Dance You Outta My Head' - co-written with Max Vernon - Janice explained in a post to TikTok on 7 January: "My last joy would be if you pre saved my song 'Dance You Outta My Head' in my bio and streamed it because all proceeds go straight to my 7 year old boy im leaving behind. Please please share this, I need to leave this with him."
And her family has since taken to her Instagram to reveal she's sadly passed away.
Taking to Janice's Instagram page yesterday (28 February) to share a photograph of the singer posing in the sun, the caption reads: "This morning, from her childhood home and surrounded by her loving family, Catherine peacefully entered the light and love of her heavenly creator.
"We are eternally thankful for the outpouring of love that Catherine and our family have received over the past few months. Cat saw her music go places she never expected and rests in the peace of knowing that she will continue to provide for her son through her music.
"This would not have been possible without all of you. Thank you."
The post explains Janice's page will be 'memorialized by Cat's brother' who will also 'manage all operations surrounding Cat’s music, merchandise, and public relations'.
It concludes: "Per Cat’s request, there is some more art that she wants to share too. All in due time. With Love, The Ipsans."
Fans of the star have flooded to the post to pay tribute to the mom.
One user said: "Thinking of you all and sending all possible love and light. We love you forever Cat."
"Our prayers with your family!!" Another added.
And a third commented: "Heaven is singing tonight. I think we’re all better off for knowing Cat.. and when I say, 'knowing', I only knew her from afar… but her story will forever stay with me. God bless her family and especially that beautiful little boy of hers."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year