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{{short description|American television personality (1980-2014)}}
{{Infobox person {{Infobox person
| name = Diem Brown | name = Diem Brown
| image = Diem Brown.jpg | image = Diem Brown.jpg
| caption = Brown on ]'s '']'' | caption =
| image_size = | image_size =
| birth_name = Danielle Michelle Brown | birth_name = Danielle Michelle Brown
| birth_date = {{birth date|mf=yes|1980|6|12}}<ref name=trueage/>
| birth_date = June 12, 1982 <ref>, people.com; accessed November 26, 2014.</ref>
| birth_place = Germany<ref name=memvid>{{cite news|last1=Tauber|first1=Michelle|title=Watch Diem Brown's Heartbreaking Memorial Video|url=http://www.people.com/article/diem-brown-memorial-video|access-date=March 9, 2015|work=]|date=November 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150309034818/http://www.people.com/article/diem-brown-memorial-video|archive-date=March 9, 2015}} </ref>
| birth_place = ]
| death_date ={{nowrap|{{death date and age|mf=yes|2014|11|14|1982|6|12}} }} | death_date = {{nowrap|{{death date and age|mf=yes|2014|11|14|1980|6|12}}}}
| death_place = ], U.S. | death_place = ], United States
| death_cause = Ovarian Cancer | death_cause = ]
| occupation = ] | occupation = ]
| years_active = 2005–14 (her death)}} | years_active = 2005–2014
| alma_mater = ]
}}


'''Danielle Michelle Brown'''<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tauber|first1=Michelle|title=Inside Diem Brown's New York City Funeral|url=http://www.people.com/article/diem-brown-funeral-new-york-city|accessdate=November 18, 2014|publisher=People|date=November 18, 2014}}</ref> (June 12, 1980 – November 14, 2014), better known as '''Diem Brown''', was a recurring cast member on ]'s reality television series '']'' and ]. Brown was also the founder and creator of MedGift, a website that provides support pages to people going through any medical or health experience. They provide resources to support patients & their families: emotionally, physically and financially. MedGift also created the first working gift registry for patients. She was born in ], ] and was a US ] before her family settled in the United States. '''Danielle Michelle''' "'''Diem'''" '''Brown'''<sup></sup> (June 12, 1980 – November 14, 2014) was an American television personality, philanthropist, and entertainment reporter. She was best known as a recurring cast member on the MTV reality television series '']''. 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. Before her family settled in the United States, Diem and family moved frequently due to her father’s Army postings. Diem spent a significant amount of her pre-high school childhood in Baumholder, Germany. She attended high school in Roswell, Georgia and obtained her bachelor's degree in communications from Florida State University. She was a member of Delta Gamma sorority.


Since debuting on '']'' in 2006, Brown competed in six additional challenges. In her debut challenge, filmed in November 2005, she revealed she had been diagnosed with ] to the surprise of both the cast and the production company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/2006/10/cancer-diary-diem-brown|title=Battling Cancer While the World Watches|author=Erin Zammett|date=October 1, 2006|publisher=''Glamour'' online|accessdate=March 14, 2011}}</ref> Since debuting on '']'' in 2006, Brown competed in seven additional ''Challenges''. In her debut challenge, filmed in November 2005, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with ], to the surprise of both the cast and the production company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/2006/10/cancer-diary-diem-brown|title=Battling Cancer While the World Watches|author=Erin Zammett|date=October 1, 2006|website=Glamour.com|access-date=March 14, 2011}}</ref> Her final season of ''The Challenge'', '']'', aired in early 2015.


==Reality television appearances== ==Reality television appearances==
''Fresh Meat'' was the twelfth season of ''Real World/Road Rules Challenge''. Filmed in Australia, it featured two-player teams; each team had an alumnus of ''The Real World'' or ''Road Rules'' partnered with a newcomer to the Challenge (collectively known as "Fresh Meat") who was never part of one of the two aforementioned series. Brown was partnered with ''Road Rules'' alumnus Derrick, and the pair finished in fourth place in the competition. Brown, who was just completing her treatment for cancer, went on to compete in '']''. She took off her wig during one of the competitions and this has been viewed as one of the most memorable and touching challenge moments.<ref name=mtvnews>{{cite news|last1=Murphy|first1=Shuanna|title=‘The Challenge’ Star Diem Brown Is Battling Cancer For The Third Time|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1908353/diem-brown-colon-cancer|accessdate=November 15, 2014|publisher=MTV News|date=August 23, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Bucksbaum|first1=Sydney|title=Diem Brown's Most Inspiring Moments on The Challenge|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/598058/diem-brown-s-most-inspiring-moments-on-the-challenge|accessdate=November 15, 2014|publisher=E! Online|date=November 14, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Diem Brown ... dies after brave battle with cancer|url=http://www.aol.com/article/2014/11/14/diem-brown-32-dies-after-brave-battle-with-cancer/20993833|accessdate=November 15, 2014|publisher=AOL|date=November 14, 2014}}</ref> ''Fresh Meat'' was the twelfth season of ''Real World/Road Rules Challenge''. Filmed in Australia, it featured two-player teams; each team had an alumnus of ''The Real World'' or ''Road Rules'' partnered with a newcomer to ''The Challenge'' (collectively known as "Fresh Meat") who was never part of one of the two aforementioned series. Brown was partnered with ''Road Rules'' alumnus Derrick Kosinski, and the pair finished in fourth place in the competition. Brown, who was just completing her treatment for cancer, went on to compete in '']''. She took off her wig during one of the competitions, and this has been viewed as one of the most memorable and touching ''Challenge'' moments.<ref name=mtvnews>{{cite news|last1=Murphy|first1=Shuanna|title='The Challenge' Star Diem Brown Is Battling Cancer For The Third Time|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1908353/diem-brown-colon-cancer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826170756/http://www.mtv.com/news/1908353/diem-brown-colon-cancer/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 26, 2014|access-date=November 15, 2014|work=]|date=August 23, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Bucksbaum|first1=Sydney|title=Diem Brown's Most Inspiring Moments on The Challenge|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/598058/diem-brown-s-most-inspiring-moments-on-the-challenge|access-date=November 15, 2014|work=]|date=November 14, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Diem Brown, 32, dies after brave battle with cancer|url=http://www.aol.com/article/2014/11/14/diem-brown-32-dies-after-brave-battle-with-cancer/20993833|access-date=November 15, 2014|work=]|date=November 14, 2014}}</ref>


==Journalism== ==Journalism==
Brown was an entertainment reporter and worked for the ], ], and ]. She also blogged about her experiences battling cancer and thoughts on ''The Challenge'' for ] and hosted the ] special ''Surviving Cancer''.<ref name="RollStone"/> Brown was an entertainment reporter and worked for the ], ], and ]. She also blogged about her experiences battling cancer and thoughts on ''The Challenge'' for ] and hosted the ] special ''Surviving Cancer''.<ref name="RollStone"/>


==MedGift== ==MedGift==
Brown created the website MedGift, a patient gift registry, to help patients obtain help from family and friends while in treatment.<ref name="RollStone">{{cite news|title=MTV Star Diem Brown Dead|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/news/mtv-star-diem-brown-dead-32-20141114|accessdate=November 15, 2014|publisher=Rolling Stone|date=November 14, 2014}}</ref> She was also a patient advocate, speaking and appearing on numerous television and online shows and conferences. Brown took part in the first ] telethon as well as other charitable efforts such as MTV's ''Restore the Shore'' telethon for Hurricane Sandy. She was chosen as one of the inital 100 groundbreaking women to be profiled on MAKERS.com in 2012.<ref name="RollStone"/> The website MedGift was the brainchild of Diem. MedGift was a non-profit, web-based application that seeks to connect those in need with those who care. MedGift's objective is to help patients obtain support from family and friends while in treatment.<ref name="RollStone">{{cite news|title=MTV Star Diem Brown Dead at 32|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/news/mtv-star-diem-brown-dead-32-20141114|access-date=November 15, 2014|magazine=]|date=November 14, 2014}}</ref> She was also a patient advocate, speaking and appearing on numerous television and online shows and conferences. Brown took part in the first ] telethon as well as other charitable efforts such as MTV's ''Restore the Shore'' telethon for ]. She was chosen as one of the initial 100 groundbreaking women to be profiled on MAKERS.com in 2012.<ref name="RollStone"/> MedGift discontinued operations on December 1, 2022.


==Personal life== ==Personal life==
Brown dated fellow ''Challenge'' castmember Chris "C.T." Tamburello for over a year and a half after meeting on '']'' in 2006. Brown credited Tamburello for playing a role in her remission recovery and giving her confidence.<ref name=People2 /> The couple competed on the same team on '']'' and were featured on the MTV documentary show ], on which Brown aspired to learn how to salsa dance to regain her confidence. Following their split, Brown and Tamburello competed on '']'' as well as a team on '']'', where they were the runner-ups in the final.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Challenge: Battle Of The Exes' Finale: Who Braved The Blizzard On The Mountain To Win? (VIDEO)|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/29/the-challenge-battle-of-the-exes-finale-blizzard-video_n_1387146.html|accessdate=November 15, 2014|publisher=Huffington Post|date=March 29, 2012}}</ref> Brown dated fellow ''Challenge'' castmember ] for over a year and a half after meeting on '']'' in 2006. Brown credited Tamburello for playing a role in her remission recovery and giving her confidence.<ref name=People2 /> The couple competed on the same team on '']'' and were featured on the ] documentary show ], on which Brown aspired to learn how to salsa dance to regain her confidence. Following their split, Brown and Tamburello competed on '']'' as well as a team on '']'' and '']'' — they were the runners-up in the final of the original ''Exes''.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Challenge: Battle Of The Exes' Finale: Who Braved The Blizzard On The Mountain To Win? (VIDEO)|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/29/the-challenge-battle-of-the-exes-finale-blizzard-video_n_1387146.html|access-date=November 15, 2014|work=]|date=March 29, 2012}}</ref>


==Final years and death==
In 2012, her ovarian cancer returned. Brown delayed treatment to harvest eggs and soon after started her second battle against cancer with chemotherapy treatments. In 2013, after several months of treatment, Brown's cancer went into remission.<ref name=People2>{{cite web|last=Brown|first=Diem|title=Diem Brown: I'm Ready to Have a Partner in Life|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20731448,00.html|publisher=People|date=September 5, 2013|accessdate=November 14, 2014}}</ref> After only two weeks out of her last chemotherapy, Brown went through her seventh Challenge season, '']'' in 2013, because she was told by doctors during her second bout with cancer that "seeing 2013 was not that likely."<ref>{{cite web|last=McKay|first=Hollie|title=EXCLUSIVE: Diem Brown defies cancer odds to compete in MTV’s 'The Challenge'|url=http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/05/31/exclusive-diem-brown-defies-cancer-odds-to-compete-in-mtvs-challenge/|publisher=]|accessdate=April 23, 2014|date=May 31, 2013}}</ref> Her team finished in fourth place.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ossad|first1=Jordana|title=Diem Brown, ‘Challenge’ Star, Dies After Brave Cancer Battle|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1995993/diem-brown-dies-cancer/|accessdate=November 15, 2014|publisher=MTV News|date=November 14, 2014}}</ref>


In June 2012, after six years of remission, Brown's ovarian cancer returned. She delayed treatment to harvest eggs before undergoing surgery to remove her ovary and receiving chemotherapy treatments.<ref name=FoxTreatment>{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/health/mtv-reality-star-diem-brown-chooses-to-delay-cancer-treatment-to-preserve-eggs/ |title=MTV reality star Diem Brown chooses to delay cancer treatment to preserve eggs |date=July 19, 2012 |access-date=June 2, 2015 |work=]}}</ref> In an on-air interview with Brown, ] characterized the choice to delay treatment as "risky."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1206/21/ddhln.01.html |title=Dr. Drew (Transcript) |date=June 21, 2012 |access-date=June 2, 2015 |work=]}}</ref> In 2013, Brown's cancer once again went into remission.<ref name=People2>{{cite web|last=Brown|first=Diem|title=Diem Brown: I'm Ready to Have a Partner in Life|url=https://people.com/tv/diem-brown-im-ready-to-have-a-partner-in-life/|work=]|date=September 5, 2013|access-date=November 14, 2014}}</ref> Brown ended chemotherapy in February 2013, and later competed in her seventh ''Challenge'' season, '']'', because she was told by doctors during her second bout with cancer that "seeing 2013 was not that likely."<ref>{{cite web|last=McKay|first=Hollie|title=EXCLUSIVE: Diem Brown defies cancer odds to compete in MTV's 'The Challenge'|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/exclusive-diem-brown-defies-cancer-odds-to-compete-in-mtvs-the-challenge/|work=]|access-date=April 23, 2014|date=May 31, 2013}}</ref> Brown and her rival partner Aneesa Ferreira finished in fourth place.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ossad|first1=Jordana|title=Diem Brown, 'Challenge' Star, Dies After Brave Cancer Battle|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1995993/diem-brown-dies-cancer/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141114192750/http://www.mtv.com/news/1995993/diem-brown-dies-cancer/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 14, 2014|access-date=November 15, 2014|work=]|date=November 14, 2014}}</ref>
==Death==
In August 2014, Brown was filming her eighth Challenge competition in ] when she collapsed on set.<ref name=USWeekly-Cancer3-2014>{{cite web|last1=Webber|first1=Stephanie|last2=Peros|first2=Jennifer|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/diem-brown-of-mtvs-the-challenge-is-battling-cancer-for-the-third-tim-2014238|title=Diem Brown of MTV's The Challenge Is Battling Cancer For the Third Time|work=]|date=August 23, 2004|accessdate=August 24, 2014}}</ref>


She was airlifted to New York and she announced to various media publications that her ovarian cancer had metastasized to her colon and stomach, and doctors performed emergency surgery. After a nine year battle with cancer, Brown died on November 14, 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rothman|first1=Michael|title=The Remarkable Thing That Happened After Diem Brown's Death|url=http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/remarkable-thing-happened-diem-browns-death/story?id=26924163|accessdate=November 16, 2014|publisher=ABC News|date=November 14, 2014}}</ref> Her final hours were spent in the company of friends and family.<ref name=USWeekly-Death-2014>{{cite web|last1=Boardman|first1=Madeline|last2=Peros|first2=Jennifer|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/diem-brown-dead-mtv-challenge-star-dies-at-32-after-cancer-battle-20141411|title=Diem Brown Dead: MTV Challenge Star Dies After Cancer Battle|date=November 14, 2014|work=]|accessdate=November 14, 2014}}</ref><ref name=People-Death-2014>{{cite news|last1=Tauber|first1=Michelle|title=Diem Brown Dies at 32|url=http://www.people.com/article/diem-brown-dies-cancer|accessdate=November 14, 2014|work=]|date=November 14, 2014}}</ref> Brown was diagnosed with cancer for a third time in June 2014, but initially shared this information with only close friends.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/battle_of_the_exes_2_diem_brown_knew_she_was_sick-2015-01 |title='Battle of the Exes II': Diem Brown knew she was sick |work=] |last=Vick |first=Megan |date=January 20, 2015 |access-date=June 2, 2015 |archive-date=May 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523072324/http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/battle_of_the_exes_2_diem_brown_knew_she_was_sick-2015-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Two months later (August 2014), while filming her eighth and final ''Challenge'' competition, ''Battle of the Exes II'' in ], Brown collapsed on set, and was immediately airlifted to a ] hospital, where doctors performed emergency surgery.<ref name=USWeekly-Cancer3-2014>{{cite web|last1=Webber|first1=Stephanie|last2=Peros|first2=Jennifer|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/diem-brown-of-mtvs-the-challenge-is-battling-cancer-for-the-third-tim-2014238|title=Diem Brown of MTV's The Challenge Is Battling Cancer For the Third Time|work=]|date=August 23, 2014|access-date=August 24, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Tauber|first1=Michelle|title=Diem Brown's Third Cancer Battle Fighting for Her Life—again|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20862755,00.html|access-date=December 14, 2014|work=]|date=September 8, 2014}}</ref> Though it was widely reported that she was diagnosed with colon cancer,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.people.com/article/diem-brown-cancer-returns-colon |title=Diem Brown Diagnosed with Colon Cancer |last=Tan |first=Michelle |work=] |date=August 23, 2014 |access-date=June 2, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://hollywoodlife.com/2015/01/21/diem-brown-sick-colon-cancer-before-the-challenge/ |title=Diem Brown Knew She Had Colon Cancer Before 'The Challenge' |work=] |last=Mink |first=Casey |date=January 21, 2015 |access-date=June 2, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ca.eonline.com/news/584073/diem-brown-speaks-about-latest-cancer-battle-i-m-really-looking-forward-to-having-one-painless-fun-day |title=Diem Brown Speaks About Latest Cancer Battle: ''I'm Really Looking Forward to Having One Painless, Fun Day'' |last=Harrison |first=Lily |work=] |date=September 30, 2014 |access-date=June 2, 2015}}</ref> Brown stated that her ovarian cancer had metastasized to her colon and stomach.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/diem-brown-opens-up-about-fighting-cancer-for-a-third-time-2014268 |title=Diem Brown Opens Up About Fighting Cancer for a Third Time: I'm "Touched" by "Outpouring of Support" |last=Takeda |first=Allison |work=] |date=August 26, 2014 |access-date=June 2, 2015}}</ref> Brown died on November 14, 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rothman|first1=Michael|title=The Remarkable Thing That Happened After Diem Brown's Death|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/remarkable-thing-happened-diem-browns-death/story?id=26924163|access-date=November 16, 2014|work=]|date=November 14, 2014}}</ref> She spent her final hours in the company of friends and family.<ref name=USWeekly-Death-2014>{{cite web|last1=Boardman|first1=Madeline|last2=Peros|first2=Jennifer|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/diem-brown-dead-mtv-challenge-star-dies-at-32-after-cancer-battle-20141411|title=Diem Brown Dead: MTV Challenge Star Dies After Cancer Battle|date=November 14, 2014|work=]|access-date=November 14, 2014}}</ref><ref name=People-Death-2014>{{cite news|last1=Tauber|first1=Michelle|title=Diem Brown Dies at 32|url=http://www.people.com/article/diem-brown-dies-cancer|access-date=November 14, 2014|work=]|date=November 14, 2014}}</ref>


Shortly after her death, it was revealed that Brown's age had been misrepresented to the public. Her family supported the false information by including an incorrect age on programs distributed at her funeral, but later her sister was quoted in a '']''<ref name=trueage>{{cite web|work=]|title=The Truth About Diem Brown's Age|url=http://www.people.com/article/diem-brown-true-age-sister-confirms|last1=Tauber|first1=Michelle|date=November 24, 2014 |access-date=June 2, 2015}}</ref> magazine article about the true facts as saying that Brown had felt that many years of her life were taken from her due to cancer and treatments, and that deducting two years was a response to those circumstances. Some media headlines and reports corrected her reported age at the time of her death in response to the later information.<ref>{{cite news |title=Correction: Obit-Diem Brown story |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/92ff06816eeb418eb681bf50e7903cce/mtv-challenge-star-diem-brown-dies-32 |date=November 28, 2014 |publisher=] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117131015/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/92ff06816eeb418eb681bf50e7903cce/mtv-challenge-star-diem-brown-dies-32 |archive-date=2014-11-17 }}</ref>
==Family==
] and various ] alumni at the launch of Congressional Ovarian Cancer Caucus.]]
Diem Brown is survived by her father and three siblings.<ref name="RollStone"/> She was predeceased by her mother.<ref>{{cite news|title=MTV reality star Diem Brown chooses to delay cancer treatment to preserve eggs|url=http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/07/19/mtv-reality-star-diem-brown-chooses-to-delay-cancer-treatment-to-preserve-eggs/|accessdate=November 16, 2014|publisher=Fox News|date=July 19, 2012}}</ref>

==Legacy==
In 2015, former ''The Challenge'' contestant and United States Representative ] of ], started the Ovarian Cancer Caucus alongside Representative ] of ], an ovarian cancer survivor. In attendance were several other ''Challenge'' contestants, who came to honor Brown, whose death Duffy said “touched our MTV reality-TV family.” In attendance were Duffy along with his wife ] and '']'' castmate ] as well as ] ('']''), Derrick Kosinski ('']'' and Brown's ''Fresh Meat'' partner), and Laurel Stucky ('']'').<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/reliable-source/wp/2015/09/29/rep-sean-duffy-hosts-a-real-world-reunion-on-capitol-hill/ |title=Rep. Sean Duffy hosts a 'Real World' reunion on Capitol Hill |last=Heil |first=Emily |date=September 29, 2015 |newspaper=] |language=en-US |access-date=July 14, 2015}}</ref>


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|30em}} {{Reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
* {{Official|http://www.diembrown.com}} * {{Official website| https://www.medgift.com/}}
* {{IMDb name|2886922}} * {{IMDb name|2886922}}
* *


{{TheChallenge}}
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see ]. -->
| NAME = Brown, Diem
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Brown, Danielle Michelle
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American television personality; reality TV star
| DATE OF BIRTH = June 12, 1980
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Reichenbach, Germany
| DATE OF DEATH = November 14, 2014
| PLACE OF DEATH = New York City, New York, U.S.}}



{{DEFAULTSORT:Brown, Diem}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Brown, Diem}}
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]
] ]
]
]

Latest revision as of 02:34, 17 December 2024

American television personality (1980-2014)
Diem Brown
BornDanielle Michelle Brown
(1980-06-12)June 12, 1980
Germany
DiedNovember 14, 2014(2014-11-14) (aged 34)
New York, United States
Cause of deathOvarian cancer
Alma materFlorida State University
OccupationTelevision personality
Years active2005–2014

Danielle Michelle "Diem" Brown (June 12, 1980 – November 14, 2014) was an American television personality, philanthropist, and entertainment reporter. She was best known as a recurring cast member on the MTV reality television 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. Before her family settled in the United States, Diem and family moved frequently due to her father’s Army postings. Diem spent a significant amount of her pre-high school childhood in Baumholder, Germany. She attended high school in Roswell, Georgia and obtained her bachelor's degree in communications from Florida State University. She was a member of Delta Gamma sorority.

Since debuting on Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Fresh Meat in 2006, Brown competed in seven additional Challenges. In her debut challenge, filmed in November 2005, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, to the surprise of both the cast and the production company. Her final season of The Challenge, Battle of the Exes II, aired in early 2015.

Reality television appearances

Fresh Meat was the twelfth season of Real World/Road Rules Challenge. Filmed in Australia, it featured two-player teams; each team had an alumnus of The Real World or Road Rules partnered with a newcomer to The Challenge (collectively known as "Fresh Meat") who was never part of one of the two aforementioned series. Brown was partnered with Road Rules alumnus Derrick Kosinski, and the pair finished in fourth place in the competition. Brown, who was just completing her treatment for cancer, went on to compete in The Duel. She took off her wig during one of the competitions, and this has been viewed as one of the most memorable and touching Challenge moments.

Journalism

Brown was an entertainment reporter and worked for the Associated Press, Sky Living, and Foxnews.com. She also blogged about her experiences battling cancer and thoughts on The Challenge for People.com and hosted the MTV.com special Surviving Cancer.

MedGift

The website MedGift was the brainchild of Diem. MedGift was a non-profit, web-based application that seeks to connect those in need with those who care. MedGift's objective is to help patients obtain support from family and friends while in treatment. She was also a patient advocate, speaking and appearing on numerous television and online shows and conferences. Brown took part in the first Stand Up to Cancer telethon as well as other charitable efforts such as MTV's Restore the Shore telethon for Hurricane Sandy. She was chosen as one of the initial 100 groundbreaking women to be profiled on MAKERS.com in 2012. MedGift discontinued operations on December 1, 2022.

Personal life

Brown dated fellow Challenge castmember Chris "CT" Tamburello for over a year and a half after meeting on The Duel in 2006. Brown credited Tamburello for playing a role in her remission recovery and giving her confidence. The couple competed on the same team on The Gauntlet III and were featured on the MTV documentary show MADE, on which Brown aspired to learn how to salsa dance to regain her confidence. Following their split, Brown and Tamburello competed on The Duel II as well as a team on Battle of the Exes and The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II — they were the runners-up in the final of the original Exes.

Final years and death

In June 2012, after six years of remission, Brown's ovarian cancer returned. She delayed treatment to harvest eggs before undergoing surgery to remove her ovary and receiving chemotherapy treatments. In an on-air interview with Brown, Dr. Drew Pinsky characterized the choice to delay treatment as "risky." In 2013, Brown's cancer once again went into remission. Brown ended chemotherapy in February 2013, and later competed in her seventh Challenge season, Rivals II, because she was told by doctors during her second bout with cancer that "seeing 2013 was not that likely." Brown and her rival partner Aneesa Ferreira finished in fourth place.

Brown was diagnosed with cancer for a third time in June 2014, but initially shared this information with only close friends. Two months later (August 2014), while filming her eighth and final Challenge competition, Battle of the Exes II in Panama, Brown collapsed on set, and was immediately airlifted to a New York hospital, where doctors performed emergency surgery. Though it was widely reported that she was diagnosed with colon cancer, Brown stated that her ovarian cancer had metastasized to her colon and stomach. Brown died on November 14, 2014. She spent her final hours in the company of friends and family.

Shortly after her death, it was revealed that Brown's age had been misrepresented to the public. Her family supported the false information by including an incorrect age on programs distributed at her funeral, but later her sister was quoted in a People magazine article about the true facts as saying that Brown had felt that many years of her life were taken from her due to cancer and treatments, and that deducting two years was a response to those circumstances. Some media headlines and reports corrected her reported age at the time of her death in response to the later information.

US Congressman Sean Duffy and various MTV alumni at the launch of Congressional Ovarian Cancer Caucus.

Legacy

In 2015, former The Challenge contestant and United States Representative Sean Duffy of Wisconsin, started the Ovarian Cancer Caucus alongside Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, an ovarian cancer survivor. In attendance were several other Challenge contestants, who came to honor Brown, whose death Duffy said “touched our MTV reality-TV family.” In attendance were Duffy along with his wife Rachel Campos-Duffy and The Real World: San Francisco castmate David “Puck” Rainey as well as Norman Korpi (The Real World: New York), Derrick Kosinski (Road Rules: X-Treme and Brown's Fresh Meat partner), and Laurel Stucky (Fresh Meat II).

References

  1. ^ Tauber, Michelle (November 24, 2014). "The Truth About Diem Brown's Age". People. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  2. Tauber, Michelle (November 20, 2014). "Watch Diem Brown's Heartbreaking Memorial Video". People. Archived from the original on March 9, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2015. Alt URL
  3. Erin Zammett (October 1, 2006). "Battling Cancer While the World Watches". Glamour.com. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
  4. Murphy, Shuanna (August 23, 2014). "'The Challenge' Star Diem Brown Is Battling Cancer For The Third Time". MTV News. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  5. Bucksbaum, Sydney (November 14, 2014). "Diem Brown's Most Inspiring Moments on The Challenge". E! Online. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  6. "Diem Brown, 32, dies after brave battle with cancer". AOL. November 14, 2014. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  7. ^ "MTV Star Diem Brown Dead at 32". Rolling Stone. November 14, 2014. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  8. ^ Brown, Diem (September 5, 2013). "Diem Brown: I'm Ready to Have a Partner in Life". People. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  9. "The Challenge: Battle Of The Exes' Finale: Who Braved The Blizzard On The Mountain To Win? (VIDEO)". Huffington Post. March 29, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  10. "MTV reality star Diem Brown chooses to delay cancer treatment to preserve eggs". Fox News. July 19, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  11. "Dr. Drew (Transcript)". CNN. June 21, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  12. McKay, Hollie (May 31, 2013). "EXCLUSIVE: Diem Brown defies cancer odds to compete in MTV's 'The Challenge'". Fox News. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  13. Ossad, Jordana (November 14, 2014). "Diem Brown, 'Challenge' Star, Dies After Brave Cancer Battle". MTV News. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  14. Vick, Megan (January 20, 2015). "'Battle of the Exes II': Diem Brown knew she was sick". zap2it. Archived from the original on May 23, 2015. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  15. Webber, Stephanie; Peros, Jennifer (August 23, 2014). "Diem Brown of MTV's The Challenge Is Battling Cancer For the Third Time". Us Weekly. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  16. Tauber, Michelle (September 8, 2014). "Diem Brown's Third Cancer Battle Fighting for Her Life—again". People. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  17. Tan, Michelle (August 23, 2014). "Diem Brown Diagnosed with Colon Cancer". People. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  18. Mink, Casey (January 21, 2015). "Diem Brown Knew She Had Colon Cancer Before 'The Challenge'". Hollywood Life. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  19. Harrison, Lily (September 30, 2014). "Diem Brown Speaks About Latest Cancer Battle: I'm Really Looking Forward to Having One Painless, Fun Day". E! Online. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  20. Takeda, Allison (August 26, 2014). "Diem Brown Opens Up About Fighting Cancer for a Third Time: I'm "Touched" by "Outpouring of Support"". Us Weekly. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  21. Rothman, Michael (November 14, 2014). "The Remarkable Thing That Happened After Diem Brown's Death". ABC News. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  22. Boardman, Madeline; Peros, Jennifer (November 14, 2014). "Diem Brown Dead: MTV Challenge Star Dies After Cancer Battle". Us Weekly. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  23. Tauber, Michelle (November 14, 2014). "Diem Brown Dies at 32". People. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  24. "Correction: Obit-Diem Brown story". Associated Press. November 28, 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-11-17.
  25. Heil, Emily (September 29, 2015). "Rep. Sean Duffy hosts a 'Real World' reunion on Capitol Hill". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 14, 2015.

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