The story of Tanner Martin: battling cancer and love for family
26 june 2025 в 21:37
The story of Tanner Martin has touched millions. The father from Utah and content creator spent five years battling colon cancer, sharing his journey with honesty and an open heart. He passed away on June 25, 2025, just 41 days after the birth of his first child on May 15. Hours after his death, a posthumous video was published on social media, in which he conveyed a touching final message to his followers. As tributes continue to pour in, many remember not only his bravery, but also the deep love he had for his wife Shay and their newborn daughter.
Let’s take a look at his life, his family, and the legacy he left behind.
Tanner was a content creator and electrician from Utah, known for documenting his five-year battle with colon cancer on social media. His candid posts about illness, fatherhood, and mortality resonated with millions.
Tanner was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in 2020, when he was just 25 years old. Despite numerous treatments, the disease became incurable. He continued to share honest updates with his followers, including hospital visits, emotional moments with family, and reflections on life. His final video, released posthumously on social media, expressed gratitude and a final wish for his loved ones.
«Hello, it’s me, Tanner. If you’re watching this, it means I’m dead», - he said at the beginning. «I've had an amazing life. I decided to make this video announcing my death because I saw someone do it about a year ago, and I think it’s a good opportunity to express all my thoughts».
Shay Martin was Tanner’s beloved partner and wife. The couple married in 2019 and faced Tanner’s cancer diagnosis just a few months later. Shay supported him at every stage of his illness and IVF journey.
Shay gave birth to their daughter EmiLou on May 15, 2025, just 41 days before Tanner’s passing.
A few days earlier, on May 10, Tanner shared a video update on Instagram, reflecting on his health and the anticipation of their child’s arrival. «Chemotherapy makes me very hoarse, so I sound like a different me», - he said. «But I’m okay, just tired. Guess what’s happening. Guess who’s arriving in six days». EmiLou was supposed to be born on May 17, but arrived two days earlier.
Funds raised for Shay and EmiLou on GoFundMe exceeded $ 540,000. The fundraising, which Tanner helped plan before his death, is aimed at providing long-term financial stability for his family
Let’s take a look at his life, his family, and the legacy he left behind.
Tanner was a content creator and electrician from Utah, known for documenting his five-year battle with colon cancer on social media. His candid posts about illness, fatherhood, and mortality resonated with millions.
Tanner was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in 2020, when he was just 25 years old. Despite numerous treatments, the disease became incurable. He continued to share honest updates with his followers, including hospital visits, emotional moments with family, and reflections on life. His final video, released posthumously on social media, expressed gratitude and a final wish for his loved ones.
«Hello, it’s me, Tanner. If you’re watching this, it means I’m dead», - he said at the beginning. «I've had an amazing life. I decided to make this video announcing my death because I saw someone do it about a year ago, and I think it’s a good opportunity to express all my thoughts».
Shay Martin was Tanner’s beloved partner and wife. The couple married in 2019 and faced Tanner’s cancer diagnosis just a few months later. Shay supported him at every stage of his illness and IVF journey.
Shay gave birth to their daughter EmiLou on May 15, 2025, just 41 days before Tanner’s passing.
A few days earlier, on May 10, Tanner shared a video update on Instagram, reflecting on his health and the anticipation of their child’s arrival. «Chemotherapy makes me very hoarse, so I sound like a different me», - he said. «But I’m okay, just tired. Guess what’s happening. Guess who’s arriving in six days». EmiLou was supposed to be born on May 17, but arrived two days earlier.
Funds raised for Shay and EmiLou on GoFundMe exceeded $ 540,000. The fundraising, which Tanner helped plan before his death, is aimed at providing long-term financial stability for his family
© Puhova Marina
