“I want to be remembered as the kid who went down fighting and didn’t really lose.”
ZACH SOBIECH
Current total raised:
Here's what a decade of Zach's legacy has made possible.
Fight Osteosarcoma Together Super Grant
Zach's Fund teamed up with 5 other cancer research funding organizations to create the Fight Osteosarcoma Together Super Grant, a $1.5 million grant that will make it possible for osteosarcoma researchers to do more, faster, for kids who don't have time to spare..
8 Seed Grants
Promising researchers often struggle to get funding to study rare diseases like osteosarcoma, but Zach’s Fund has helped bridge that gap by funding eight potentially groundbreaking projects.
A National Clinical Trial
Five years after Zach’s passing, researcher Branden Moriarty opened a clinical trial to test a new drug to treat osteosarcoma.
A Powerful New Drug
Alex Huang, MD, PhD, at Case Western University, has searched unceasingly for readily available drug options that could cure osteosarcoma in its deadliest form. Huang recently found a new drug in which he believes could become a widely used therapy.
Zach's Story
2009
- Summer: Zach is diagnosed with osteosarcoma at 14 years old.
- December: Zach began protocol chemotherapy for osteosarcoma at University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital.
Early 2012
- March: Zach’s family travels to Rome, Lourdes and Paris. Zach’s hip begins to hurt again.
- June: Doctors found the cancer had spread to Zach’s pelvis and lungs. Zach and his family were told that he had between 6 months and a year to live.
- July: Zach did an interview for KS95 for Kids, which helped raise awareness for Children’s Cancer Research Fund.
Late 2012
- September: Zach decided to write a series of songs to say goodbye to friends and family, the most famous of which is “Clouds.”
- November: The Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund is established at Children’s Cancer Research Fund.
- December: “Clouds” is played on the radio for the first time and the video goes viral, garnering over 2 million hits by New Year.
Early 2013
- February: Justin Baldoni and his company, Wayfarer Entertainment, spend a week with the Sobiech family to film a documentary called Meet Zach Sobiech: My Last Days
Late 2013
- May: Zach passes away from osteosarcoma, surrounded by his family and friends. Later that week, Zach’s fans pushed “Clouds” up to #1 on iTunes.
- June: The Sobiech’s meet with osteosarcoma researchers for the first time and present $500K raised through Zach’s music and donations to the Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund.
2014 & 2015
- May 2014: Zach’s mom Laura releases her book, “Fly a Little Higher,” detailing her family’s experience during Zach’s battle with osteosarcoma.
- September 2015: Zach’s fund hits $1 million.
2018
- February: Researchers at the University of Minnesota, funded by Zach’s fund, identified a genetic biomarker and begin a study to target the gene that causes osteosarcoma to flourish. Read more here.
- March: Research funded by Zach’s fund creates 15 new discoveries about the genetics of osteosarcoma and starts a national clinical trial.
2019
- Summer: Finn Argus, the actor who plays Zach in “Clouds” the movie, visits Zach’s family in Stillwater, MN. Read more here.
- September: Jaime Modiano, begins work to develop a blood test to help doctors decide how better to treat osteosarcoma.
- November: Zach’s family visits the set of “Clouds” movie in Montreal, Canada. The “Clouds” logo was created using Zach’s own handwriting.
2019
- December: “Clouds Choir” for a Cause raises over $100K for the Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund. Thousands gathered at the Mall of America to sing “Clouds,” including Zach’s family, the “Clouds” movie cast and director Justin Baldoni. Watch the video here.
2020
- October: “Clouds” the movie is released for streaming on Disney+.
- Seventy of Zach’s friends and family act as extras in two of the scenes.
Join Zach's Movement
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR BETTER TREATMENTS AND CURES FOR KIDS FIGHTING CANCER
PANTS SHIRT
Zach's "Pants" shirt, as seen in the movie "Clouds," was one of his favorites. Buy your own today - 100% of the proceeds will benefit Zach's Fund.
ROGER SHIRT
This shirt is inspired by Zach and Amy's musings about getting a horse named Roger. Purchase yours and 100% of the proceeds will benefit Zach's Fund.
Help us further zach's legacy
SPREAD THE WORD
Help us share Zach’s story. Here is a link to images, videos and resources you can share.
Move this research forward with data
Osteosarcoma researchers need more data to continue to develop better, safer treatments. If you or a loved one has osteosarcoma, click here to explore how you can participate in research studies that will fuel future breakthroughs.
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