Influencer’s widow reveals first symptoms of colon cancer he experienced at 25
Tanner Martin went viral for announcing his own death — now his wife shares the signs they missed
Tanner Martin, a beloved influencer and young father who captured hearts while battling colon cancer, died at 30 — but not before leaving behind a powerful legacy. Now, his widow Shay is sharing the first symptoms that signaled something was wrong.
Tanner Martin wasn’t just a content creator. He was a husband, father, and fighter. Diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at just 25, he spent the last five years opening up his life to the world — the ups and downs of cancer treatment, the birth of his daughter, and the emotional rollercoaster of living with a terminal diagnosis.
In June 2025, Tanner passed away at home in Utah, surrounded by loved ones. Just hours later, a video he had recorded before his death was posted to Instagram. In it, he looked into the camera and began, “Hey, it’s me, Tanner. If you’re watching this, I am dead.”
The message, filled with grace, gratitude, and quiet strength, quickly went viral, touching millions worldwide.
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“We thought it was stress”: Shay shares first symptoms
In a recent interview on The Unplanned Podcast, Shay opened up for the first time about the earliest signs of Tanner’s illness.
Back in the summer of 2020, Tanner began experiencing unusual digestive issues. He had trouble sitting for long periods and noticed blood in his stool — red flags they didn’t recognize at the time.
“We initially assumed they were minor or stress-related,” Shay said. “Persistent bowel problems, stomach pain… it didn’t seem urgent at first.”
But things escalated quickly. A colonoscopy revealed a massive tumor that was blocking Tanner’s colon. Doctors couldn’t even complete the procedure.
Shay remembered the chilling moment the doctor told them the news.
“He puts his hand on Tanner’s leg and says, ‘About 10 centimeters in, there was a huge mass. We couldn’t get past it.’ I just started crying. You hear ‘tumor’ and think cancer immediately.”
Further testing confirmed stage 4 colorectal cancer, already spread to the liver.
Tanner and Shay’s love story began when they met during missionary service. After reconnecting later, they married young — Shay was 22 and Tanner 23.
They faced cancer as a team, sharing their fertility journey, including IVF, and celebrating the birth of their daughter, AmyLou, in May 2025. Despite facing over 50 rounds of chemo, 6 major surgeries, and nearly $3 million in treatment costs, Tanner never lost his humor or heart.
Shay’s father, Steve Wright, described him as someone whose kindness never faded:
“He made you feel like you’re the most important person in the room. Even when he was super sick, he wanted to just be very real.”
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Even during hospice care, Tanner stayed active. He posted TikToks about living with a terminal illness, offering advice on how to support others going through similar experiences.
His funeral was livestreamed and watched by over 54,000 people. In his prerecorded farewell, Tanner thanked his followers for helping make his final years joyful.
“Be kind to each other, assume good intent… and you’ll have a happy life,” he said.
Tanner’s story is a heartbreaking reminder that colorectal cancer doesn’t just affect older adults. In 2025, about 154,000 people in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer — making it the third most common cancer and a leading cause of cancer deaths.
Shay continues to share Tanner’s story to raise awareness, urging others — especially young adults — to take their symptoms seriously.
“If something feels off, speak up. Don’t wait. That’s what Tanner would want people to know,” she said.
Tanner Martin lived with purpose, loved deeply, and inspired thousands with his bravery. His life — and final message — remind us to be kind, stay aware of our health, and cherish the people we love.
