Former New Zealand cricketer Chris Cairns has spoken about his near-death experience following an aortic dissection in August 2021, which required emergency surgery and life support. He later suffered a spinal stroke, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down and in a wheelchair. Six months after the stroke, Cairns was diagnosed with colon cancer. He described the ordeal as being "extremely close to dying" but expressed gratitude for regaining his life and is now focused on nurturing young talent.