TikToker Harrison Gilks has died of rare cancer aged 18 while trying to complete bucket list
TikTok star Harrison Gilks has died at the age of 18 after gaining attention on the platform by trying to complete his bucket list.
The Canadian teen, who had terminal cancer, shared an update from his hospital bed last month to explain the disease had spread to his liver and caused one of his lungs to fill with liquid.
His brother, David, posted another update a few days later to announce that Harrison had died, and assured he had not been in pain when he passed.
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Harrison earned more than 300,000 followers on TikTok as he kept viewers updated with both his health and his mission to take on all sorts of adventures, from parasailing, snowboarding and taking trips in helicopters, to getting selfies with football stars.
Harrison previously explained that in November 2020 he had been diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of soft tissue cancer, when doctors found a large tumour in his prostate and spots on his lungs.
He underwent treatment and was told he was in remission in February 2022, but last year the cancer came back and Harrison was told it was incurable.
Sharing the news with his followers, Harrison explained: "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."
Harrison most recently shared posts about a trip to Mexico, where he filmed himself lounging on a sun bed and enjoying the heat before taking a boat trip to go parasailing.
He encouraged viewers who might want to help him complete his bucket list to get in touch via an email listed in his bio, but his plans were cut short when he returned to hospital.
In the last video he posted, Harrison told viewers he was struggling to breathe and had been told he didn't have a lot of time left.
"I'll be in the hospital for the remainder of whatever time I have left," he said.
"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."
Harrison's followers flooded the account with condolences in the wake of the teen's death, with viewers saying they felt 'privileged' to watch his journey unfold.
As he announced the news of Harrison's death, David said: "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."
His family is set to hold a funeral service for Harrison today (6 April), which will be live streamed to allow members of the public to take part wherever they are in the world.
They have also set up a fundraising page for anyone who wishes to donate, with the money set to go to local charities.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact American Cancer Society’s support line on 1-800-227-2345 or alternatively, you can visit their livechat through their website Monday-Friday 7AM - 6:30PM
Emily Brown