Tanner Martin: The TikTok Star Who Publicly Battled Colon Cancer
Tanner Martin, a 30-year-old TikTok star with over half a million followers, lost his life fighting colon cancer. His story is not ordinary – for years, he publicly documented every step of his grueling illness, from diagnosis to his final moments, leaving an indelible mark on social media.
A Public Farewell That Broke Millions of Hearts
His death was announced through a pre-recorded farewell video, which has been viewed over eight million times. “Hey, I’m Tanner. If you’re watching this, I’m dead,” he began the video that touched millions. In a five-minute message, Tanner spoke about his life, his family, and his battle, leaving messages of love and hope.
Five Years of Fighting in the Public Eye
He was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in November 2017, and by February 2019, he learned the disease was incurable. Despite this, Tanner and his wife Shay Martin decided to share their story with the world. On TikTok, they posted honest and painful moments – from chemotherapy, radiation, surgeries, even visiting his future grave.
Love and Life in Difficult Times
Besides the tough moments, they shared beautiful ones – renewing their wedding vows in Ireland, traveling, and the birth of their daughter Amylou, conceived through IVF, which they also documented on social media. After Tanner’s death, Shay posted a five-minute video Tanner recorded in March, intended to be released after his passing.
A Message for the Future
In the video, Tanner asked his followers to support his wife and daughter, joking about a nickname for his daughter and her habits. His final message was clear: “Be kind to each other. Assume others mean well.” Tanner described death as scary but also a new adventure, hoping to meet new people and believing in an afterlife.
Why This Story Matters
Tanner’s openness and courage to publicly share his battle with a deadly disease brought comfort to many facing similar challenges. His story shows how important it is not to hide pain but to share it and seek support. In a world where suffering is often hidden, Tanner was a beacon of honesty and humanity.
Have you ever followed someone who publicly shared their battle with illness? How did it affect you? Share your thoughts – maybe your story could be someone’s comfort or inspiration.
This story is not just about illness but about life, love, and courage. Tanner Martin proved that even in the darkest moments, light can shine the brightest. Let his message remind us all to be kind to one another because you never know what someone else is going through.
