TikTok star Harrison Gilks ​​has died aged 18 after battling cancer

A popular TikTok star who has been documenting his attempt to complete his bucket list while battling a rare form of cancer has tragically passed away at the age of 18.

Harrison Gilks, of Canada, died “peacefully” on March 30 with his mother, father and brother “by his side” after suffering from rhabdomyosarcoma – a type of cancer that forms in soft tissue – as did his family this week announced.

Harrison was first diagnosed with cancer in November 2020 after doctors found a large tumor in his prostate and spots on his lungs.

After months of chemotherapy and radiation, he was in remission in February 2022.

A popular TikTok star who has been documenting his attempt to complete his bucket list while battling a rare form of cancer has tragically passed away at the age of 18

Harrison Gilks ​​​​of Canada died “peacefully” on March 30 with his mother, father and brother “by his side” after suffering from rhabdomyosarcoma – a type of cancer that forms in soft tissue

After being told by doctors in June 2022 that his cancer was untreatable, Harrison began documenting his cancer journey on TikTok, where he gained more than 314,000 followers

But months later, in June of that year, his doctors told him it had come back — and sadly, was untreatable.

He soon began documenting his cancer journey on TikTok, where he gained more than 314,000 followers.

“It’s not the normal type of stuff I post, but I found out today that I have terminal cancer,” he said in a video shared on June 29, 2022.

“I was cancer free for a while but unfortunately it came back. The reason I’m doing and releasing this is because I’d like to do a little series.

“I’m going to go out and do some stuff that I’ve always wanted to do, maybe skydiving, stuff like that.”

While the TikToker was very candid about the grim reality of suffering from the deadly disease, he tried to live life to the fullest until the end – and his positivity quickly garnered him a strong legion of followers.

Some of his recent videos have featured him attending a music festival, taking helicopter rides, meeting his favorite sports stars, and traveling to places around the world such as New York City, Mexico, and the Rocky Mountains.

But on March 21, a week before his death, Harrison shared a tragic health update with his followers.

The TikToker (who starred in Mexico a few weeks before his death) tried to live life to the fullest until the end – and his positive attitude quickly garnered him a strong legion of followers

Some of his recent videos have shown him meeting his favorite sports stars (left) and traveling to places around the world such as New York City and the Rocky Mountains (right).

He also attended a music festival and took a helicopter ride

“The cancer has spread to my liver and one of my lungs is filled with fluid,” he said in a video shared by his hospital pearl.

But on March 21, a week before his death, Harrison shared a tragic health update with his followers

“It’s really hard to breathe. The doctors said I didn’t have much time left. “I will remain hospitalized for the remainder of my time. It’s obviously very annoying.

“I wish there was something you could do, or I could do it, or the doctors could do it – but there isn’t. That’s just the way it is.

“The best thing you can do is pray for me. I prayed a lot. Pray for me and my family. It was a great ride.”

Earlier this week, his brother David posted video from Harrison’s account confirming his death.

“He was in no pain when he died and he was with his family,” he said. “I just wanted to come here and thank everyone from around the world for their support and encouragement. It really meant a lot to him.’

“The cancer has spread to my liver and one of my lungs is filled with fluid,” he said in a video shared by his hospital pearl. “The doctors said I didn’t have much time left”

Earlier this week his brother David (seen) posted video from Harrison’s account confirming his death. He said: “Thank you for your support and encouragement. It meant a lot to him

In his obituary, Harrison’s family called him “an inspiration to many,” adding, “His smile could light up a room, his laugh could cheer anyone up. He was our sunshine on a cloudy day.

“He always found good in every situation and touched the lives of many with his messages of hope and encouragement through his TikTok videos chronicling and sharing his journey with cancer with the world,” they continued.

“Even though he couldn’t do some of the things he loved like hockey, softball, jet skiing and tubing, rugby, skiing, mountain biking or dirt biking, he was determined not to let cancer get in his way.

“But after almost two and a half years of a hard fought battle, knowing he did what he could, knowing he was loved and strong, he said goodbye.”

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