Zach Sobiech American patient with osteosarcoma, author of an Internet hit Date of Birth: 03.05.1996 Country: USA

1. Biography of Zach Sobiech
2. Diagnosis and Treatment
3. Advocacy and Support
4. Medical Care and Hope
5. Living with Hope and Joy
6. The Song 'Clouds' and Internet Fame

Biography of Zach Sobiech

Zach Sobiech was an American author, songwriter, and musician who gained fame through his internet hit song, "Clouds." He was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer, in 2009 when he was just 14 years old. Osteosarcoma affects approximately 400 children under the age of 20 in the United States.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Zach started experiencing constant pain in his left thigh and sought medical help. Doctors discovered a large tumor, which eventually metastasized to his lungs. From the time of his diagnosis, Zach underwent numerous medical procedures and treatments. He underwent a hip replacement surgery, four thoracotomies (chest surgeries), multiple biopsies, months of chemotherapy, and spent countless days in the hospital. Despite his treatments, Zach always felt unwell.

Advocacy and Support

Due to the rarity of osteosarcoma and the need for additional funding, Zach's family joined the Children's Cancer Research Fund, a foundation dedicated to finding cures for cancer patients. Through this organization, Zach and his loved ones connected with other families who were also dealing with the challenges of cancer. They understood the constant fear of scanning to determine if the cancer had returned or not.

Medical Care and Hope

Zach received medical care at the Amplatz Children's Hospital at the University of Minnesota, where renowned doctors study childhood cancer. Unfortunately, there is limited knowledge about osteosarcoma compared to other types of cancer, such as leukemia. The development of treatment methods and targeted therapies for osteosarcoma still has room for improvement. Prognoses for Zach were grim, with doctors estimating that he had a few more months to live, at best a year. However, his family never stopped hoping for a miracle.

Living with Hope and Joy

Despite the heartbreaking news, Zach made the decision to live each day with hope and joy. He continued attending school, although he informed his teachers that he might occasionally miss classes. While some terminally ill individuals choose to write farewell letters to their friends and family, this was not Zach's style. Instead, he poured his soul into writing songs.

The Song 'Clouds' and Internet Fame

Zach composed a touching song called "Clouds" and created a video to accompany it, sharing his story and illness. The video and music resonated with people, and more than 1.5 million internet users were touched by his story. Zach's music became an inspiration to many, and his courage in the face of adversity left a lasting impact.