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LAKELAND, Minn. — When faced with months to live, how do you say goodbye?
That was the question facing 17-year-old Zach Sobiech, who learned recently there were no more treatment options for his cancer. It was time to say goodbye.
The young man, a musician who rarely goes anywhere without his guitar, decided to turn to song, recording a track titled "Clouds."
"And we'll go up, up, up, but I'll fly a little higher. We'll go up in the clouds because the view is a little nicer," he sings in the chorus. "Up here, my dear. It won't be long now; it won't be long now."
Sobiech was diagnosed in 2009 with osteosarcoma, a rare type of cancer of which there are only about 400 cases a year in people under 20 years old. Since then, he has had a hip replacement and gone through hours of physical therapy, four thoracotomies, several minor surgeries and biopsies, and months of chemo.
Sobiech found out in May that the cancer had spread to his pelvis and lungs. Doctors told him he had months, or perhaps up to a year, to live. They were out of treatment options.
And we'll go up, up, up, but I'll fly a little higher...
–Zach Sobiech, "Clouds"
"His response is to embrace every day with hope and joy," Sobiech's profile on CaringBridge says. "Some days are harder than others, but he remains the upbeat and positive soul he has always been."
The Sobiech family started the Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund* hoping that children diagnosed in the future will have a better chance at seeing a cure.
"And maybe someday I'll see you again," Sobiech sings, "We'll float up in the clouds and we'll never see the end."
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*ksl.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does ksl.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
