Zach Sobiech, Terminally Ill Singer Who Channeled His Story into 'Clouds', Passes Away

May 21, 2013 11:58 PM EDT

Zach Sobiech, the aspiring young artist who recorded “Clouds,” an inspirational song which dealt with his battle against a rare and terminal form of cancer, has succumbed to his illness.
Sobiech, who was just 18, finally lost his battle this week with Osteosarcoma, a bone cancer. But not before his song went viral and turned the youngster into a global role model for others battling serious illness.
Sobiech’s friends had a common wish to see “Clouds” hit one million views before he passed away. When Billboard reported on Sobiech and his brave battle last December, "Clouds" was closing-in on 300,000 views on YouTube. Today, the track has clocked-up almost 3.66 million hits.

In 2009, at aged 14, Sobiech was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. Several operations and bouts of chemotherapy followed, but in May 2012 his doctors told him that the cancer had spread and that he only had a few months to live.
In February of this year, Sobiech dropped a follow-up song with Sammy Brown, entitled “Fix Me Up.” Earlier this month, a host of stars recorded a tribute to “Clouds,” featuring the likes of Ashley Tisdale, Colbie Caillat, Anna Faris, Jason Mraz, Sara Bareilles, Jenna Fischer, The Lumineers, Rachel Bilson, Ed Helms and Phillip Phillips.

Sobiech's family has started the Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund, to enable further research into the cancer which has taken the teenager's life. His story can be found here and donations can be given here. Sobiech's album can be downloaded here from iTunes.
A statement posted on behalf of Sobiech's family explains that the youngster passed away at home and “at peace with those he loved most. Zach’s life ended just as he lived, embraced by the love of his family, friends, grace and music.” The statement ends, “We’ll see you again, Zach, up in those clouds.”