Zach Sobiech/Clouds - Wynne Communications
Transcription
Zach Sobiech/Clouds - Wynne Communications
bookmark10 CLOUD BY J U L I E J ACO BS I iven the extraordinary challenges he faced, Zach Sobiech maintained an outlook on life that was as rare as the cancer he battled. At 14, Zach was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer that affects only about 400 children annually. He endured surgery and chemotherapy, but three years later, in May 2012, he and his family learned that the cancer had spread to his pelvis and lungs. Realizing his time was limited, Zach opted to forego a debilitating operation that would T E L E S C O P E 4 3 WHEN HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER, THAT WAS REALLY THE THING THAT HELPED HIM TO LOOK OUTWARD RATHER THAN INWARD. have extended his life by mere months Zach understandably had some down and instead focused on family and friends. moments, Laura says, but on the whole And he did so with spirit and a smile and, he stayed upbeat and never complained ultimately, a song. about his circumstances. “When he was “We were all on board [with his decision],” recalls his mother Laura Sobiech with a sigh, “because we knew what kind of sacrifices he would have to make. And we diagnosed with cancer, that was really the thing that helped him to look outward rather than inward,” she remarks. “[He’d say] ‘You know, I feel sorry for you guys knew he wasn’t going to gain much time.” Zach and his family chose to live as normally as possible, while leveraging their experience to help others. Zach, then a high-school senior, applied to college and was admitted into the University of Minnesota. To raise awareness about osteosarcoma, the family shared their story T E L E S C O P E 4 5 Ph oto cou rtesy of L au ra S ob iech on a local radio station. and performed by Zach, benefit the Zach Sobiech able to do that. You know, I can handle the Osteosarcoma Fund at the Children’s Cancer cancer.’” Research Fund. The Sobiech Fund, now at During the summer, while straightening Zach’s room, Laura came upon the scribbles of a song. She had asked him to write goodbye letters $875,000, has brought together top scientists to study the genetics of the disease as well as find a cure. to loved ones, but he found it difficult and, as Laura says the international outpouring of a guitar player, turned to music to convey his support has been amazing, prompting her to emotions. He called the song “Clouds,” recorded write a memoir which also will help support it, and posted his video on YouTube, where osteosarcoma research. In Fly a Little Higher: the tune’s touching lyrics coupled with Zach’s How God Answered a Mom’s Small Prayer in a beautiful rendition garnered fans worldwide. Big Way (Nelson Books, May 2014), she reveals “Clouds” rose to the top of the iTunes and the rollercoaster reality lived by the entire family Billboard charts following Zach’s death in May (including Zach’s three siblings and his dad, Rob). 2013, and has racked up more than 10 million YouTube views, sparking a star-studded video cover version. “I really wanted people to know we’re an average family,” she says. “The book is doing what I’d hoped it would do… It’s bringing hope to people All proceeds from “Clouds” as well as a who are in dark places, or not. You know, it’s percentage of the profits from “Fix Me Up,” bringing peace.” a CD/DVD package with other songs written Ph o to co u r te s y o f L a u ra So bi e c h because you have to watch this. I wouldn’t be CNN name Zach one of 2013’s most extraordinary people. His legacy inspires more thoughtful living, Fight with a bigger heart. ZACH’S STORY TOLD BY HIS MOTHER LAURA SOBIECH, MEMORIALIZES offers Laura. “We tend to know in our heads that HOW ZACH’S CURAGE AND our lives are about something bigger, but we get STRENGTH IN FACING on that hamster wheel of daily life and we forget to get off, and Zach reminds us to hop off…that we’re not just trudging through life and getting CANCER IS CHANGING THE LIVES OF MILLIONS. BOOK AVAILABLE HERE. through it. That there’s a purpose here.” T E L E S C O P E 4 7