Cancer victim, 16, dies shortly after dream DJ gig in Las Vegas

Stephen R. Sylvanie / Special to the Sun

Beyond the Sun The Tanner Seebaum Foundation

Teen DJ Tanner Seebaum died on Friday in Centennial, Colo., after a lengthy battle with brain cancer.

Seebaum, 16, had battled brain tumors for most of his life and was diagnosed last year with an inoperable tumor. Around June, doctors gave him only a few weeks to live.

With the help of DJ Mash-Up King (Landon Dyksterhouse) and the Hard Rock Hotel, Seebaum fulfilled his final wish in Las Vegas. Seebaum, who was an avid DJ, was given an hourlong slot on June 22 to perform a set at Rehab Pool during Electric Daisy Carnival weekend. His medley of beats and song mash-ups kept the crowd at the famous day club dancing and bobbing their heads poolside.

It was a dream he never thought would come true.

“We’re just very thankful to Las Vegas in general for changing our perception of the people, of the attitudes, and graciousness and openness they showed for letting Tanner do this; to Landon, to Hard Rock, they did a lot to make that happen for Tanner,” Matt Seebaum, Tanner's father, said. “It’s kind of what he needed to let go. We sort of joked that he had to do Vegas before he could let go.”

Tanner is survived by his parents, Matt and Stephanie Seebaum, and sister, Ellie. Donations can be made to the Tanner Seebaum Foundation at tannersfoundation.org. The foundation raises money for brain and spine tumor research.