Zach Sobiech

Imagine at the age of 14, finding out you have osteosarcoma bone cancer. That stone feeling of knowing that you might only have a few more years to live. And then, looking over at your parents. Their faces torn into a million pieces, tears rushing down their faces. This is the life that Zach Sobiech was forced to live. Zach was a fighter. The reason I chose this young man, was because of the hope he had that he would become cancer free, and live a meaning. But really, he did. Even though he lost to cancer, he didn't really lose.

Zach was born on May 3, 1995 and passed away on May 20, 2013. He was born in Stillwater, Minnesota, and was raised there. He always knew that time was running short, but believed that he should live it to the fullest. This is why Zach is my hero. He never gave up. He always kept his head held high through all the good times and the bad. Zach's family including his parents, siblings, and friends helped him battle the pain in an incredible manner. He had a passion for music and was a member of the band "Firm Handshake". He was an American folk rock singer and songwriter. This young man was never really away from his guitar and expressed his feelings through music. That is what made him such an amazing musician. Zach had so much inspiration and so many feelings to just let go of.

The people in Zach's life had such a great impact on him. Zach had two loving parents, and three caring siblings. He was very close to all of them, but had a special relationship with his younger sister, Grace. Not only was Grace his sister, but she was his best friend. They shared many interests and were very compatible. One day, while they were out on a run together, Zach felt a strong pain in his hip and came home complaining of it. They took him to the hospital to get an M.R.I. and found out he had bone cancer. Another important person in Zach's life was his girlfriend, Amy. She stood by him, gave him strength and support, especially during the last days of his life. It was a hard task for his loved ones to act as if everything was normal, while this could be one of the last days of his life. Not to forget all the pain he was going through, but their love for him was so strong that they vowed to make every moment count.

Zach achieved many goals in the limited time he had. He wrote an amazing song called "Clouds" in which he expresses his feelings about leaving Earth and going up to the clouds in Heaven. Had he lived longer, he would have pursued a music career. Music was a way for him to forget about reality, and simply live the moment. He accepted his sickness with grace and as a part of him, rather than pushing it away. In life, there are things that we are not able to control or change, but it is best to accept them and cope with them.

There are so many reasons why Zach made a difference in my life. He taught me to always believe in myself, even when there is nothing to encourage you to do that. If you have no family, no friends, nobody to show you the way, you still have your own heart and your own feelings to be able to do it! He never gave up, he never surrendered! He always fought! He fought all the way to the end of his journey! And that is what I am going to do for every little bump in the way. I am going to reach the end, and achieve my goal!