57-Year-Old Bodybuilding Veteran Battling Brain Cancer Passes Away

The bodybuilding world received another blow after 57-year-old bodybuilding and powerlifting veteran, Dawn Marie Whitham, passed away on February 14. Whitham had a long and successful career in two sports. She began her career in strength sports in the 80s before moving to bodybuilding in the 90s. After retiring from competitive sports, she became a tattoo artist. Unfortunately, the veteran bodybuilder received a brain cancer diagnosis a few years ago.

Whitham was active on social media, and the news of her passing was announced from her Facebook account. The former powerlifter often posted about her treatment on social media and remained optimistic about beating cancer.

The bodybuilding veteran’s accomplishments

Dawn Marie Whitham found success in everything she tried, from powerlifting to bodybuilding to art. Whitham began competing in powerlifting in the late 80s and boasted insane numbers. Her best lift was a massive 405 lbs squat for six reps. She also benched 405 lbs for three reps. Besides lifting a lot of weight, she also achieved an insane 32 reps with 185 lbs on the bench and squatted 225 lbs for 63 reps.

After finding success in powerlifting, Whitham trained for competitive bodybuilding. In 1990, she won the Medium category at the Ms. USA – AAU. After finding success at the Ms. USA, the former powerlifter competed in NPC contests. In 1992, she added another feather to her cap. Dawn Whitham won the 1992 NPC Atlantic States Championships title in the Heavyweight and Overall categories.

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In 2005, she competed in the Masters category of the Atlantic States Championships and finished in 2nd place in the Heavyweight category and 5th in Overall. Dawn Marie Whitham was 5’4 Ft tall, and at her heaviest, weighed 190 lbs. “DAWN MARIE WHITHAM. JUNE 23, 1965 – FEB 14, 2023,” said the Facebook post that announced her passing. Whitham had chronicled the journey of her fight with cancer through Facebook posts.

Battle with stage four brain cancer

Dawn Marie Whitham kept fans updated about the fight against brain cancer. “Over the last years been battling stage 4 brain cancer which has been metastisizing and spreading to other areas, getting treatment at Yale Smilow,” Whitham posted on Facebook in 2021. Despite going through tough treatment, Whitham continued to work out in the gym and recently constructed a home gym.

On October 29, 2022, Whitham posted about her MRI results which were “concerning for progression of disease.” Whitham’s final Facebook post about her treatment came on November 10, 2022. “Here at Yale getting treatment today just the Opdivo today! Kicking butt, staying positive! Still fighting this brain cancer,” wrote the bodybuilding veteran. Only a week ago, another bodybuilding legend, 56-year-old Tony Knight, passed away.

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We at EssentailySports send our condolences to the family and friends of Dawn Marie Whitham.