Utah Dad’s Final Message: “If You’re Watching This, I Am Dead”
A young father battling stage 4 colon cancer created a poignant video to say goodbye. Tanner Martin, 30, who bravely shared his cancer journey on social media with his wife Shay, left a lasting message for his newborn daughter. His story reveals the power of love and legacy in the face of a terminal illness.
A Pre-Planned Farewell
Tanner Martin, a resident of Utah, passed away after a five-year struggle with colon cancer. He and his wife, Shay Wright, documented their life on social media. They shared moments of hope, sorrow, and joy, including the birth of their daughter, AmyLou.
In a pre-recorded video shared on Instagram and TikTok, Tanner began, Hey, it’s me, Tanner. If you are watching this, I am dead.
The goal of the video was to give his wife space to grieve.
“Thank you for all that you did for me while I was here, and all the support and love that you showed me and my little family,” Martin told followers.
—Tanner Martin
In the modern age, a growing number of individuals are turning to social media to discuss their health issues; roughly 40% of American adults have sought medical information online (Pew Research 2021).
Support for AmyLou
In addition to his farewell video, Martin asked his followers to donate to a GoFundMe campaign. This was intended to help his wife raise their daughter, providing for her future. The campaign aimed to replace the income Martin would have provided, covering expenses like childcare and education.
Shay Wright noted that Tanner joked about the campaign, saying, For the price of a McChicken, you could fund my AmyLou’s legacy fund.
Within hours of its launch, the GoFundMe surpassed $276,000.
A Challenging Journey
Diagnosed in November 2020 at 25, Martin and his wife openly shared their fight. In February 2023, the couple learned the cancer was no longer curable.
Despite the prognosis, they announced they were expecting a child in 2024. The couple used in vitro fertilization (IVF) to start Shay’s pregnancy.
Their daughter was born on May 15. The couple shared their commitment to ensuring AmyLou knew her father through videos and gifts. Shay later announced that Tanner had moved to hospice to manage his pain.
Tanner Martin’s story serves as a poignant example of the enduring strength of love and family.
