It’s a sad day for the TikTok community.
Harrison Gilks, a young man who garnered fame and support on the video sharing app after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis last year, has passed away at just 18 years old.
The teen suffered from a rare form of cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma, which forms in the soft tissue. He revealed his terminal diagnosis last June in a TikTok titled, “#f**kcancer,” in which he announced a new “bucket list series” he’d be embarking on in his remaining time:
@harrisongilks1
Throughout his journey, the sports lover traveled from his home of Douglas, New Brunswick in Canada, to places like Toronto, Los Angeles, New York, Mexico, among others, for hockey and football games.
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On March 21, he uploaded what would be his final TikTok from his hospital bed, which he solemnly revealed:
“I don’t know how to say it other than the cancer spread. I’ll be in the hospital for probably the remainder of whatever time I have left, which is obviously very upsetting.”
He added:
“It’s been a great ride with you guys.”
@harrisongilks1
A week later, Harrison’s younger brother David took to the page to share with fans the saddening news:
“I’m making this video because Harrison sadly passed away a few hours ago. He was not in pain when he passed away and he was with his family. I just wanted to come on here and say thank you to everybody around the world for their support and encouragement. It really did mean a lot to him.”
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The young star’s obituary added:
“Harrison was an inspiration to many. 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, where he chronicled and shared his journey with cancer with the world. Though he could no longer do some of the things he loved such as play hockey, softball, jet skiing and tubing, rugby, skiing, mountain biking or dirt biking, he managed to get some time in the woods with his dad to go hunting this fall, then he turned his attention to travel, while he was still able. He vowed to get as many “bucket list” adventures as he could with the time he had left.”
A private funeral service will be held for Harrison Thursday, with a livestream option available through his TikTok bio. He will be dearly missed by not only his loved ones, but his over 320,000+ social media followers. Rest in peace.
[Images via Harrison Gilks/TikTok]
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