Dominique McShain dies at 21 battling colorectal cancer
Dominique McShain, a 21-year-old influencer from Christchurch, New Zealand, passed away after battling with incurable colorectal cancer. She was diagnosed in April 2024. She used social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to document her journey, aiming to raise awareness about the disease among young adults.
Before her diagnosis, she was a third-year psychology student with aspirations of becoming a clinical psychologist. Her studies and part-time work in human resources were abruptly halted due to the aggressive nature of her illness. Despite the challenges, she remained determined to make a difference by sharing her experiences online.
Dominique married her partner, Sean Suson, in December 2024, and the couple honeymooned in Thailand. She expressed that, while many life experiences were taken from her, getting married was a "normal" milestone she could still achieve.
On April 7, 2025, Dominique shared a poignant final message on social media, revealing that she had entered end-of-life care. She wrote about her deteriorating health, stating, "My liver is failing rapidly to the point of jaundice, and the cancer is progressing quickly."
Despite the grim prognosis, she expressed gratitude for her life, family, and friends, saying, "My life may be short, but I genuinely think I've squeezed every bit out of it."
Dominique's openness about her illness resonated with many. Her candid discussions about the symptoms and challenges of colorectal cancer aimed to educate others and encourage early detection.
Dominique hoped her story would help her young followers seek early screenings and not ignore symptoms just because of their age. Many followers described Dominique as “a warrior with grace” and a beacon for cancer awareness in Gen Z.
Her passing was confirmed on April 23, 2025, though the exact date of her death remains undisclosed.
Before her diagnosis, she was a third-year psychology student with aspirations of becoming a clinical psychologist. Her studies and part-time work in human resources were abruptly halted due to the aggressive nature of her illness. Despite the challenges, she remained determined to make a difference by sharing her experiences online.
Dominique married her partner, Sean Suson, in December 2024, and the couple honeymooned in Thailand. She expressed that, while many life experiences were taken from her, getting married was a "normal" milestone she could still achieve.
On April 7, 2025, Dominique shared a poignant final message on social media, revealing that she had entered end-of-life care. She wrote about her deteriorating health, stating, "My liver is failing rapidly to the point of jaundice, and the cancer is progressing quickly."
Despite the grim prognosis, she expressed gratitude for her life, family, and friends, saying, "My life may be short, but I genuinely think I've squeezed every bit out of it."
Dominique's openness about her illness resonated with many. Her candid discussions about the symptoms and challenges of colorectal cancer aimed to educate others and encourage early detection.
Dominique hoped her story would help her young followers seek early screenings and not ignore symptoms just because of their age. Many followers described Dominique as “a warrior with grace” and a beacon for cancer awareness in Gen Z.
Her passing was confirmed on April 23, 2025, though the exact date of her death remains undisclosed.
