Zach Sobiech has died: His tune, “Clouds,” went viral on YouTube earlier this year as he fought an unusual type of cancer. He succumbed to the illness on May 20, but he left behind encouragement for those still in distress. Zach Sobiech, maker of the “Clouds” song became a viral YouTube hit, died of cancer on Monday. He was 18.
Sobiech had been struggling with osteosarcoma, a uncommon bone tumour, for the past four years after his finding at age 14. Last May, doctors told the Minnesotan youngster that he had up to a year left to live.
In November 2009, Sobiech was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a cancerous bone cancer that is rare, but usually found in youngsters. He had a ache in his hip after a run, the first warning that a cancer was growing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zxXAtmmLLc
He found comfort in music, as part of the band A Firm Handshake. His tune “Clouds” was originally posted on YouTube in December 2012 and rapidly reached millions.
“We’ll go up, but I’ll fly a little higher,” his songs.
“[‘Clouds’] was for me and for my family,” Sobiech told People magazine in March. “I needed to get that feeling out, and they wanted a touch they could remember me by.”
He died at his house in Lakeland, Minn., with friends and family. He is survived by his parents Rob and Laura Sobiech; his siblings Alli, Sam, and Grace; his girlfriend Amy Adamle; his band mates Sammy Brown and Reed Redmond; and many other friends and family members.
Beth Myers of Phoenix, Ariz., who did not know Sobiech, was nonetheless touched by his story: “Zach, I only have known about you since December, when I read about your song Clouds. It was so moving and you were a true encouragement. Thanks to your family for maintaining the CaringBridge site, I comprehend every single post and watched every video.”
“Zach became a symbol of hope and a light and kindness in a world that sometimes weighs too seriously,” reads a statement on the Children’s Cancer Research Fund website.
On his obituary webpage, Candice Bomyea writes, “I will be listening in peace for music from the heavens.”
Nicole, whose last name is not given, writes: “The world seems a little less bright, but the clouds look amazing. I hope you are enjoying the sight.”
The Sobiech family maintained a Caring Bridge webpage as the youngster fought cancer, where people are now writing their commiseration.
Through his promotion work, Sobiech raised thousands of dollars for research on the unusual cancer that at last took his life.
“Zach was at his residence and at calm with those he loved most,” the Children’s Cancer Research Fund said in a statement announcing Sobiech’s death. “Zach’s life ended just as he lived, embraced by the love of his family, friends, grace and music.”
Since his diagnosis in 2009, Sobiech had been writing leaving letters in the form of songs to his friends and family. Last year, he uploaded “Clouds” to YouTube, a pop song that went viral and at this time boasts over 3 million views. Sobiech’s narrative struck a harmony with folks all over the humanity, including some celebrities who spread his point through a honour video.
As a result, thousands of supporters donated to tumour study in his name. The Sobiech family requests that donations to the Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund be made in lieu of flowers “to assist in Zach’s task to aid children with cancer.”
With heartfelt condolences…
Those we love don’t go away, they stroll next to us every day, invisible, unheard, but forever near, still respected, missed and very cherished. Death leaves a distress no one can cure, love leaves a recollection no one can take away. Some folks approach in our lives, leave footprints on our hearts and we are never the same.
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