'Survivor' Alum Sunday Burquest Dead At 50 After Second Battle With Cancer
Sunday Burquest, a Survivor alum, has died following a battle with esophageal and ovarian cancer — after previously surviving breast cancer. She was 50.
Sunday’s daughter, Kennedy Burquest, confirmed the news via Instagram, posting a sweet tribute to her late mother on Sunday, April 18.
"To my unbelievably beautiful mama, Thank you.Thank you for fighting as hard as you did for as long as you did. Thank you for being a best friend, a role model, a sister, and my mother all in one. Thank you for raising me to love Jesus, and show that love to others," Kennedy wrote. "I love you to heaven and back a million times. I know one day we will meet again. Until then, I’ll spend every minute missing you, and trying to make you proud. Rest easy mom."
Burquest was a youth pastor, keynote speaker, author and was a contestant on Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X in 2016. The mother-of-four finished in seventh place on the show after being voted off on day 35. She previously underwent chemotherapy and radiation while battling breast cancer in 2012, Us Weekly reported.
Sunday had declared that she was proud to be a breast cancer survivor. “Besides my four amazing kids, I’m most proud of being a breast cancer survivor,” her bio for the series read. “After five surgeries, eight rounds of chemotherapy, and 28 days of radiation — not to mention the horrible meds they put you on — I’m still here!”
Family and friends showed an outpouring of love and support for the Burquest family via Instagram.
Survivor host Jeff Probst posted a photo of Burquest, captioning it, “Sunday Burquest had one of the brightest smiles of any person to ever play Survivor. She radiated kindness and understanding to anyone lucky enough to be in her presence. She seemed to understand better than most, that life is for living, so say yes to life whenever possible. My condolences go out to her family and friends during this difficult time.”
Survivor: Game Changers alum Zeke Smith wrote in a post, "I will love you and remember you for all my days, Darling Sunday. Your kindness and selflessness have changed me and so many others. I miss you. Pouring out a Diet Coke in your honor. #RestInPower."
Burquest is survived by her husband and their four children.
