“Give me a second. I’m talking about my sister, man.”
Social media influencer Tanner Martin has died of colon cancer weeks after welcoming his first baby.
The 30-year-old, who went viral online for documenting his journey with stage 4 colon cancer, announced his own death in a lighthearted, pre-recorded video posted to Instagram by his wife, Shay Martin.
“Hey, it’s me Tanner. If you’re watching this, I am dead,” he said with a laugh at the start of the video.
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Tanner Martin was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer in November 2020, according to People.
As of October 2024, "he had undergone more than 50 rounds of chemo, roughly 50 rounds of radiation, at least six major surgeries and dozens of other procedures," per the outlet.
His death comes less than one week after his wife revealed that he had entered hospice — and six weeks after the couple welcomed their first baby.
In his death announcement video, Tanner Martin said he “had a heck of a life.”
"Life was awesome. I really enjoyed it while I was here. Death is scary, but it's also like a new adventure, you know? I'm excited to see what the experience is like, and hopefully it's good," he added.
Tanner Martin admitted that he got the idea to announce his own death after seeing someone else do it and argued that it was “a good opportunity to get all your thoughts out.”
"But I love you guys, and seriously, thanks again for all your support and helping to make the last years of my life here on earth like fun and enjoyable and helping me be comfortable,” he continued.
Fans and fellow influencers took to the comment section to share their condolences.
“The most special human. Rest in Peace sweet Tanner. Sending love and prayers to everyone left behind, especially Shay and your beautiful baby girl,” one fan commented.
“I’m so sorry Shay. His spirit will always live on and you have the most amazing guardian angel now. We are praying for you to have comfort and feel him all around you!” influencer Jane Williamson wrote.
“We knew this time would come but I still never thought it would really happen. What a sad loss. A fine example of a wonderful human being,” another fan added.
Tanner Martin’s last wish was to become a dad — and he did
On Nov. 3, Tanner and Shay Martin revealed that they were expecting their first child together.
“Cancer has taken so much from us,” the couple wrote in a text over the video.
"You wanted to be a dad so badly, but I got to see you be the best dog dad. We tried IVF and planned to have a baby, but sepsis and your cancer progressing prevented us. Until now," the text continues.
On May 15, Tanner and Shay Martin announced the birth of their baby girl, Amy Lou.
The couple shared a photo of Tanner Martin, who was present for the birth, gazing down at his newborn baby girl, who was wrapped in a blanket in his arms.
“Her daddy made it!” the couple wrote in the caption.
The following month, the couple shared a video of them visiting Tanner Martin’s grave site for the first time as a family of three.
“Tanner’s last wish was to become a dad, and on May 15th his wish came true,” they wrote in the caption.
“We have done everything in our power to make sure AmyLou knows her dad; letters, videos, gifts for birthdays, and now we have this place for her to come, sit and get to know who he was,” they added.
The headstone was in the shape of a bench, which was installed the day their daughter was born.
On June 25, one hour after announcing his death, Shay Martin posted a video of her husband sitting upright on a couch next to his daughter.
In the video, captioned “Tanner’s last wish,” the newly-minted father asked his followers to consider donating to his GoFundMe to help his wife raise their daughter.
Despite nearing his death, Tanner Martin’s sense of humor was as strong as ever.
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“For the price of a McChicken you could fund my AmyLou’s legacy fund,” he joked in the caption.
