Updated May 13th, 2021

Zach Sobiech: Who Is This Teen Who Died of Bone Cancer 7 Years Ago & Now Has #1 iTunes Hit?

Zach Sobiech died 7 years ago from a rare bone cancer called osteosarcoma; his story is the subject of the new Disney+ film, "Clouds." It's propelled the hit single he released before he died back to the top of the music charts.

Anne McCarthy

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Sobiech's Journey

Zach Sobiech was an 18-year-old from Minnesota who died of a rare bone cancer in 2013.
Diagnosed in 2009, he fought for four years, and during that period he fulfilled his dream of becoming a musician.
Disney+ released a film about Sobiech’s life, and his single, “Clouds” is now number one on iTunes.

Zach Sobiech was only 18 when he passed away in 2013 from a rare bone cancer called osteosarcoma, but his name is everywhere right now and knowing him (and his story) might just brighten your day.

Sobiech was diagnosed in May 2009, and died in 2013, though not before fulfilling his dream to make music. Most think of high school as a time for first dates, football games, and applying to college not undergoing chemo and surgeries, as Sobiech did during his teen years. But his outlook on life had a lasting impact on those who knew him, and on those who followed his story. Disney thought so, too, and released a movie about his life on Disney+, propelling his song, “Clouds” to the top of the charts. The song shot up on iTunes (even knocking Justin Bieber off for the #1 spot on Sunday) after Disney+ debuted the film of the same name last week. (Clouds was slated for a theatrical release, but went to streaming, due to the pandemic.)

Chasing His Dreams

After he was diagnosed, the Lakeland, Minnesota, native underwent surgeries and chemotherapies to combat the disease. As the cancer continued to spread, Sobiech bravely lived life to the fullest, even fulfilling a dream of his to become a musician.

His mother, Laura Sobiech, shared a clip from the film that chronicles his path to becoming a musician while undergoing treatment for bone cancer.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGiDndVhH0N/

“If only I had a little bit more time,” Sobiech sings on his tender and catchy song, “Clouds.” The music video for the 2012 single which has been viewed over 15 million times features Sobiech singing, playing guitar, and chatting with his mom.

You’d be hardpressed to not get a bit teary watching Sobiech as he sings about going into the clouds: “When we get back on land, well I’ll never get my chance…Be ready to live and it’ll be ripped right out of my hands, and maybe someday we’ll take a little ride; Go up, up, up and everything will be just fine…”

In the music video, it is revealed that no effective treatments are left for Sobiech’s cancer. “His response is to embrace every day with hope and joy,” the video shares.

Making an Impact

Sobiech’s determination, joy, and chasing his dreams all in the face of physical pain is the legacy he hoped to leave, too. The young singer said, “I want to be remembered as the kid who went down fighting and didn't really lose." While he may have lost his battle with cancer, he certainly won the fight to make an impact, and live out his dream. He has also provided lasting hope to those battling osteosarcoma.

The Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund has raised over $2 million for research for treatments against osteosarcoma. According to the Children’s Cancer Research Fund, treatment for osteosarcoma has not improved in decades, and Sobiech’s fund can hopefully change that by providing money for further research.

Doing What You Love Through Cancer

Sobiech admirably followed his passion and dreams throughout diagnosis and treatment. There’s so much value to be had in continuing with activities you love through cancer.

Oncologist Dr. Dana Chase speaks to the importance of good emotional health. She tells SurvivorNet, “We knowâ€¦better quality of life is associated with better survival, better outcomes," says Dr. Chase. “Working on your emotional health, your physical well-being, your social environmentâ€¦working on those things and making them better are important and can impact your survival."

They don’t just impact survival, they also impact overall happiness. "Sometimes I will talk to a patient about making [a] list of the top ten things that bring them joy. And trying to do those ten thingsâ€¦to make at least 50 percent of their experiences positive throughout the day," says Dr. Chase.

We are grateful that Zach Sobiech continued chasing his joy: music. The world is a more beautiful place for it.

What Still Brings You Joy? Your Emotional Health is So Important to Living with Cancer

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