Zach Sobiech/Clouds - Wynne Communications

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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
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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
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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.”
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