ushope777
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7 December 2013 - 1:24am

5,000 Member Choir Sing In Memory of Zach Sobiech at Minnesota's Mall of America: PLEASE READ AND WATCH (and LISTEN!)

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I am not sure how many of you are familiar with this amazing man or his song, but this is a wonderful, touching story I would like to share with my CL Friends this holiday season because this has been all over the news and radio today.

"Zachary David "Zach" Sobiech (May 3, 1995 – May 20, 2013) was an American folk rock singer-songwriter from Stillwater, Minnesota, who was a member of the band A Firm Handshake. The single "Clouds" gained extensive media attention on YouTube, prior to Sobiech's death from cancer in May 2013.[1][2] It charted on the Billboard Hot 100, eventually becoming a hit also in UK, Canada and France. At age 14, Sobiech was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer which mostly strikes children.[3] CBS reported that during his treatment he underwent 10 surgeries and 20 rounds of chemotherapy.[4] He started writing music after his diagnosis." ~ Wikipedia

More information can be found on Wikipedia, including information on a short documentary based on Zach's life. Because this story is Minnesota--based, I have followed Zach's story, and viewed his videos for a few years, because local radio played his song, Clouds, and his story has been shared many times on local media. I live about 30 minutes from Zach's hometown, which is a gorgeous place in MN along the Mississippi river (I have visited the area many times, because it is filled with nice restaurants, shops, antique shops and more) called Stillwater, Minnesota.

"In May 2012 his doctors informed him that he had up to a year to live.[6] Sobiech recorded the song "Clouds" about his battle with cancer,[7] and released it as a YouTube video in December 2012. It went viral, surpassing 3 million views at the time of his death," ~Wikiepedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zach_Sobiech

Here is Zach playing his song. He turned to music AFTER his diagnosis of this rare cancer, at the age of 14, and he passed away at the age of only 18 years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDC97j6lfyc

Here is the video taken from the performance at the MOA. I dare you watch and not get a tear in your eye. His parents were in attendance as 5,000 singers, including students from local middle schools, wore cloud Tshirts and sang Zach's song, "Clouds" at the Mall of America. Just simply amazing.

http://www.twincities.com/washingtoncounty/ci_24666557/5-000-sing-zach-s...

If you can see through your tears, here is a 22 minute documentary on Zach's amazing legacy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NjKgV65fpo

You can watch it now or come back to it when you do have time to watch. This is sad, yes, but this young man's spirit and attitude reminds us all to embrace life and live each day to its fullest.

usLuckyMe
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7 December 2013 - 5:03am
#1

I've seen this one before. Catchy tun. The one with the choir wouldn't work fo me so I will come back.

ushope777
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7 December 2013 - 5:16am
#2
LuckyMe wrote:

I've seen this one before. Catchy tun. The one with the choir wouldn't work fo me so I will come back.

Hmmm...well that is the main one that I wanted people to see, because it is just so amazing. Maybe try Googling it or try on YouTube. Maybe use his name and choir and Mall of America (that is if the link doesn't work for you later). 🙂