The inspirational singer whose farewell song becomes a viral sensation dies from Osteosarcoma 17 days after turning 18.
- May 22, 2013
AceShowbiz - Zach Sobiech, teenager who expressed himself through music during his difficult times battling rare cancer Osteosarcoma, passed away at his home in Lakeland Minnesota on Monday, May 20. Sobiech died 17 days after his 18th birthday.
"It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our son Zachary David Sobiech," Mother Laura Sobiech announced the sad news in a statement. A funeral will be held on Thursday, May 23, at the Church of St. Michael in Stillwater, Minnesota.
Sobiech was diagnosed with the cancer when he was 14. In June 2012, doctor told him that he only had less than a year to live. Instead of going with his mother's idea to write farewell letters, Sobiech wrote "Cloud", a song that tells about someone who is facing death.
Of his decision writing a goodbye song, Zach said in December, "I'm not good at writing letters. I could just write songs for people, and they might be around longer. It's more powerful than writing a letter because a song can get stuck in your head. You find yourself humming it during the day."
He sang, recorded and uploaded "Cloud" on You Tube last December. Up until now, the viral video has been viewed for more than 3.9 million times. Earlier this month, celebrities including Jason Mraz, Ashley Tisdale, Rachel Bilson, Bryan Cranston, Sara Bareilles and Chris Pratt participated in video covering Sobiech's song in order to support The Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund, a cancer foundations that helps children with the rare kind of cancer.
