Internet Sensation Reminds Us To Start Living For Today
Internet sensation and writer of the viral hit song, ‘Clouds’, Zach Sobiech, passed away while surrounded by friends and family in his home last Monday morning.
“I want to be remembered as a kid who went down fighting, and didn’t really lose.” These were the last words Zach, 18, left us with at the end of a documentary that chronicled his last days of battling terminal bone cancer. At 14, he was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer usually developing in teenagers. After completing his chemotherapy, a CT scan revealed additional tumours in his pelvis and both of his lungs. The cancer had spread and in May 2012, Zach was given six months to a year to live.
With his promising life abruptly cut short, Zach turned to music to leave his print and to give his friends and family something to hold onto when he couldn’t be with them anymore. ‘Clouds’ was written and uploaded onto Youtube last December. In five months, Zach’s song has touched more than 4, 000, 000 people worldwide. He said, “My closure is to get my feelings into these songs so they can have something to remember me by or lean on when I’m gone.”
On his birthday earlier this month, a documentary, entitled ‘My Last Days: Meet Zach Sobiech’, was released on Youtube as part of an online series by Soul Pancake. It features Zach, interviews with his friends, family and himself, and how he spent his remaining days. In the 20-minute film, Zach shared his passion for music, his lust for the Nissan GT-R, and his love for those around him. He was also surprised with the cobalt-blue Nissan on his driveway and a collaboration video by celebrities like Jason Mraz, Colbie Caillat, Anna Faris, who joined for a cover of ‘Clouds’. He spent the last remainder of his days finding peace, reassuring his family he would be okay and dreaming of marrying his girlfriend, Amy, who he said he will “love to death” because he would “literally,” do that.
In the past year, Zach worked to raise awareness for Osteosarcoma and fundraise money for research. A Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund has been set up to give hope to those still battling the cancer. Proceeds from ‘Clouds’ and his other works will continue the fund the same cause. Let’s take a moment to remember Zach Sobiech’s lively spirit and desire to live when faced with an inescapable end.
“I want everyone to know you don’t have to find out you’re dying to start living.” – Zach Sobiech (1995-2013)
SOURCES
http://globalnews.ca/news/579913/tributes-to-zach-sobiech/
http://www.freep.com/article/20130522/NEWS07/305220035/Zach-Sobiech-Clouds
http://hollywoodlife.com/2013/05/21/zach-sobiech-song-clouds-cancer-death/
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20679770,00.html
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