TikTok star Harrison Gilks dies at age 18 after cancer battle

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 age 18.

Harrison Gilks, from Canada, died 'peacefully' on March 30 with his mom, dad, and brother 'by his side,' after suffering from rhabdomyosarcoma - a type of cancer that forms in soft tissue - his family revealed this week.

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

After undergoing 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 age 18

Harrison Gilks, from Canada, died 'peacefully' on March 30 with his mom, dad, and brother 'by his side,' after suffering from rhabdomyosarcoma - a type of cancer that forms in soft tissue

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

But months later, in June of that year, he was told by his doctors that it had come back - and was unfortunately untreatable.

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

'This isn't 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 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.'

While the TikToker was very open about grim realities of suffering from the deadly disease, he tried to live life to the fullest up until the very end - and his positive attitude quickly earned him a strong legion of followers.

Some of his recent videos showed him attending a music festival, taking helicopter rides, meeting his favorite sports stars, and embarking on trips to places all around the world like New York City, Mexico, and the Rocky Mountains.

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

The TikToker (seen in Mexico a few weeks before his death) tried to live life to the fullest up until the very end - and his positive attitude quickly earned him a strong legion of followers

Some of his recent videos showed him meeting his favorite sports stars (left) and embarking on trips to places all around the world like 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 filled with fluid,' he said in a video shared from his hospital bead. 

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

'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.' 

Earlier this week, his brother, David, posted a video from Harrison's account confirming his passing.

'He was not in pain when he passed away and he was with his family,' he said. 'I just wanted to come on here and say thank you to everybody from around the world for their support and encouragement. It really did mean a lot to him.'

'The cancer has spread to my liver and one of my lungs filled with fluid,' he said in a video shared from his hospital bead. 'The doctors said I don't have a whole lot of time left'

Earlier this week, his brother, David (seen), posted a video from Harrison's account confirming his passing. He said: 'Thanks 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, where he chronicled and shared his journey with cancer with the world,' they continued.

'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 was determined not to let cancer get in his way. 

'But after nearly two and a half years of a hard-fought battle, knowing he did as much as he could, knowing he was loved and strong, he said goodbye.'