TikTok star Harrison Gilks dies aged 18 after devastating cancer battle as heartbroken family pay tribute
A TIKTOK star has died at the age of 18 after battling a rare form of cancer.
Harrison Gilks, from Canada, had been documenting his mission to complete his bucket list on social media and built up a huge fanbase.
The social media influencer died “peacefully” on March 30 with his mum, dad and brother by his side.
Harrison suffered from rhabdomyosarcoma, a type of cancer that forms in soft tissue.
In an emotional tribute, his heartbroken family hailed him an “inspiration to many”.
They said: “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.”
Harrison was diagnosed with cancer in November 2020 and spent months undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
He was in remission in February 2022 but by June doctors said his cancer had returned and was untreatable.
Brave Harrison decided to share his cancer battle on TikTok.
In a video posted last July, he said: “This isn’t the normal type of stuff I post, but I found out today that I have terminal cancer.
“I was cancer-free for a little bit, but unfortunately, it came back.
“The reason I’m making this and putting it out there is because I’d like to make a little series.
“I’m gonna go out and do a bunch of stuff that I’ve always wanted to do, maybe skydiving, stuff along those lines.”
He went on to share clips of him skiing, at a music festival, on trips around the world and taking a helicopter ride.
But in his final video shared on March 21, Harrison told his followers from his hospital bed that his cancer had spread to his liver and one of his lungs had filled with fluid.
He said: “It’s really hard to breathe. The doctors said I don’t have a whole lot of time left.
“I’ll be in the hospital for the remainder of whatever time I have left.
“It’s obviously very upsetting.
“I wish there was something that you guys could do, or I could do, or the doctors could do – but there isn’t. This is just the way it goes.
‘=”The best thing you guys can do is pray for me. I’ve been doing a lot of praying. Pray for me and my family. It’s been a great ride.”
His brother David told the teen’s fans of his death on his channel days later.
He said: “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.”