Canadian teen sharing his cancer battle, 'bucket list' adventure on TikTok dies at 18

A New Brunswick teenager who inspired thousands on TikTok by documenting his cancer battle and ticking off "bucket list" items has died.

Harrison Gilks of Fredericton had been sharing his battle with terminal cancer with more than 300,000 followers on TikTok for the past several months. The 18-year-old revealed in a video on June 29 last year that it was "confirmed" his cancer had returned despite believing it had gone away.

"I'd like to make a little series called, maybe like, 'Bucket List' series," he shared in that 2022 video. "I want to go out and do a bunch of stuff that I've always wanted to do. I'm not sure what yet. Maybe sky diving or just stuff along those lines.

"I feel like I kind of owe it to the people I'm friends with to keep them updated, and I think this is kind of a good way to do it because I don't like messaging people. It's kind of hard posting this."

Since then, Gilks's local community and gracious donors online raised money to support him completing his bucket list. Over the past few months, he was able to enjoy helicopter rides in New York and Jasper, Alta., meet Montreal Canadiens hockey stars, watch a Los Angeles Rams football game and bask in the heat in Mexico.

Gilks posted his final video on March 21 where he described his visit to Mexico while at the hospital.

"Once I got back, basically the day of, my body, kind of, honestly started to give out," he shared. "I started getting a lot of issues. I spent the night home and then the second day I was home, we had to ambulance up to the hospital.

"The doctor said I don't have a whole lot of time left. The chances of me going home are very slim. So, I'll be in the hospital for probably the remainder of whatever time I've got left."

He continued to say that it was an "upsetting" situation and that he wished there was something that could be done.

"This is just the way she goes," he said. "The best thing you guys can do, I guess, [is] pray for me.

"Pray for me and my family. It's been a great ride with you guys on the 'Bucket List.' ... Thank you for all of the support throughout everything. 'Bucket List' complete."

Gilks's brother, David, posted an update on TikTok on Thursday, letting fans know what happened a few hours prior.

"He was not in pain when he passed away and he was with his family," David explained. "Him and his friends got the opportunity to say 'goodbye' over the last few weeks, and I just wanted to come on here and say 'thank you' to everyone from around the world for their support and encouragement. It really did mean a lot to him."

According to CBC News, Harrison was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma in November 2020.

The Canadian Cancer Society notes that rhabdomyosarcoma starts in the muscle cells, and it's the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma in children, though it can occur at any age.

His father, Trevor Gilks, said he had a large tumour in his prostate area and spots on his lungs. He went through months of chemotherapy and radiation until February 2022, where he began showing signs of remission.

A couple months later, the cancer came back even stronger until it was confirmed he was terminal.

Following his death, the community still showed support for the late athlete. More than 1,600 people took part in an event called "Sticks Out for Harrison," where they posted photos and videos of hockey sticks on their doorstep.

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