Cancer Patient Dies Shortly After Video Goodbye Went Viral: Here Is What Was Left on His Bucket List
- Posted on August 24, 2012 at 7:47am by
Liz Klimas
- Print »
- Email »
(Photo: L.I.F.E.)
Just 10 days after Eric McLean posted his final confession — a goodbye video telling his followers he had done all he could in his battle with terminal cancer — the 28-year-old from Two Rivers, Wisc., died.
Thursday evening, McLean who had been receiving hospice care, ended his nine-year battle with leukemia with his wife since 2011 by his side, as well as his family and friends. According to the Leukemia Ironman Fundraiser for Eric (L.I.F.E.) website, his death came on his brother’s 30th birthday. Within 10 hours of posting the news of his passing to those supporting him on Facebook, the post has received more than 640 likes and 400 comments.
“Rest well Eric, you were a great man, we will miss you so much,” L.I.F.E. read.
For the last few years, McLean had been posting videos on his GiveLife YouTube channel detailing the ups and downs of his condition. His most recent video posted on August 14 showing his tearful goodbye went viral on the Internet and has had nearly 1 million views. If you missed it, here is the video:
On Wednesday, his mother updated his Facebook page saying McLean’s health had taken an even sharper decline after he posted this video. She wrote in the week since he had only eaten a pickle, some rocky road ice cream and some water to take his pain medication.
At the time, his mother wrote the family hoped “he will close his eyes soon and rest peacefully.”
“As for his mental state. Eric continues to mumble things to us and to a point, still understands quite a bit; he still makes us smile and even laugh with some of his comments,” she continued.
As McLean leaves his family and friends, he also leaves an unfinished bucket list. According to L.I.F.E., McLean had hoped to be Batman, hold his own child, get a tattoo, fly as a passenger in a fighter jet, and visit Australia, among other things. Even with a few items left unchecked on his bucket list though, McLean was able to accomplish quite a few of his dreams. He married Cari Lynn Jaeger in July 2011. He went fishing on Lake Michigan and visited New York City. He went to a range and “fired a massive amount of ammo.” He rode in a hot air balloon, went swimming with dolphins and went skydiving. And, he ate a Big Mac. The list goes on.
McLean on his Harley earlier in 2008. He worked for the company and thanked them in his final confession. (Photo: L.I.F.E.)
Watch McLean skydive in 2009:
Check out all of McLean’s bucket list accomplishments recorded on video here.
At the top of the unfinished section of the bucket list is to get as many people to donate bone marrow as possible. According to the Wausau Daily Herald, as a result of his final confession video, last weekend in Eric’s hometown nearly 100 people attended a blood and marrow registration drive hosted by the McLean family.
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 667 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 525 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 381 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 364 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 326 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 250 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 257 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order Read More- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 147 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 300 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 250 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (49)
LeadNotFollow
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 11:13pm…
Report Post »Eric is now whole again. No more pain. Rest in Peace.
nonliberal
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 5:21pmRest in Peace, I hope you are in a better place.
Report Post »nilo
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 3:57pmI certainly do pray that he is at true peace with God. That is the ONLY PEACE.
Report Post »kimosd1
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 3:34pmHaving lost a child I pray for this wonderful young man’s family that they will find understanding and comfort during the long bouts with grief that are sure to come. Psalm 139.
Report Post »phillipwgirard
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 3:33pmRor those of you posting Compassion here, GOD Bless You, as for any unsavory or lambasting remarks from the insensitive posters here, I don’t know who, or what deity you believe in or if you believe in any thing at all, I feel you are truly MONSTERS,,,May GOD BLESS ERIC and his family and friends who stood by him, I hope some of his friends or family try to finish his bucket list for him,,,
Report Post »Blacktooth
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 1:19pmIn all his words, not one mention of a hope in the resurrection by Jesus Christ.
John 5:26-29.
That is truly sad.
Report Post »A. James
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 1:56pmYou’re the truly sick and disgusting human demeaning a person that has already passed away. Hey, here’s a thought: instead of publicly lambasting him, how about YOU pray for him?
Report Post »frust@ted
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 1:59pmBlow it out your butt bible thumper.
Go be pious elsewhere. It’s people like you that destroy religion by turning people away from God rather than welcoming them to it.
Report Post »Blacktooth
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 2:16pmIt is so very sad he died without the hope for a resurrection.
Report Post »If he had that hope, he did not express it.
His anguish over his impending death is the sad thing, sad for me to have seen.
I speak logically.
How is that hateful?
frust@ted
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 2:25pmblacktooth,
You didn’t speak logicaly, you spoke emotionaly based off of beliefs. I love it when people use words like logic and progressive and because they use the word if you are against them you are either illogical or against progress. I’m just speaking the truth.
See how that works now if you disagree with me it makes you a liar. Ha Ha caught in your own trap.
Report Post »Blacktooth
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 3:00pmI spoke from what the scriptures and Jesus says about the resurrection.
If you do not want to accept that, then fine. It does not bother me if you choose to to scoff at my using God’s Word. I try to give others a hope for the future, even if you may not accept it.
I think we should do this without resorting to crude language.
Report Post »dvwrld
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 3:11pmBlacktooth,
Report Post »Quit being a Dick!
Eric, RIP!
HistrionicManManMan
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 3:17pmPsh, the New Testament is CLEARLY just Old Testament fan-fiction. I mean, Jesus Christ is nothing if not a Mary Sue.
Report Post »God_Is_Not
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 5:28pmI don’t remember reading in the bible that “one must talk about Jesus constantly prior to dying.”
It’s sad to see people like you make assumptions about someone you know nothing about.
Report Post »frust@ted
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 6:02pmYou think butt is crude language. I bet you are a blast to be around.
I’m scoffing at you passing off the scriptures as logic when it is clearly faith which is an emotional response.
Your attempt to take the moral high ground is just disengenious. You are not trying to bring people hope, you are attempting to take people down and build yourself up by trying to appear like the ulimate holy roller. If you really wanted to bring hope you could learn a lesson from Snowleopard post below. Instead you decided to take the oportunity to say “Hey everybody look at me and how religious I am, compared to Eric, look how much I love you lord”
Report Post »majasdad
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 6:55pm@FRUST@TED
Very well said buddy. Good on ya.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 8:21pmI’m a Christian and have stage IV cancer, and I have to admit that while reading the bucket list, my thought was my one item on my bucket list wasn’t there. Do something important that saves my country. I assumed, since it wasn’t on there to have a closer relationship with God, that he already did. It’s really hard to go through cancer and not believe in God. As good of a mental attitude that he had, and his sense of humor, I find it hard to believe he didn’t know Him already.
Report Post »Juniemoon
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 9:26pmBut God will judge from the mercy seat and those who suffer from mental illness, disease, all unatural iillnesses and it’s death, he grants them mercy for the suffering. He is not condemning them to death, but another chance in good health. It’s after the 1000 yr reign they must be prepared for.
No one is in heaven, except one. All who die are asleep, until his return.
For the wicked, you’re so done at the 1st death.
Report Post »PAUL_THE_APOSTLE
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 10:32pmI agree, that is sad. But in his final days we don’t know if he called out to the Lord or not. God is merciful, but He is also just.
Report Post »Ididnotbuildthat
Posted on August 25, 2012 at 12:52pmI agree that Jesus Christ must be proclaimed. However, the young mad is dead, and God will judge him accordingly, not your job. People in general perceive such statements as being cold and uncaring.
Remember, truth must be spoken in love and be of a gentle manner.
Family members and or friends may reading these post and can be hurtful to them. Now how will this further the Gospel message? Proclaim the truth in such a way where they are comforted. That will take further wih your proclamation. Those who are mourning must be comforted. Matthew 5:4
Report Post »Blacktooth
Posted on August 25, 2012 at 3:36pmThe good news is that everyone who has died will be resurrected into a grand future in God’s Kingdom. – John 5:26-29, Revelation 21:1-4
These blessings are for all mankind and includes Eric McLean.
Report Post »I am sorry so many of you misunderstood my comment.
Gypsy123
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 1:13pmI have only one question was this young man a christian. I don’t mean this rude just a simple question?
Report Post »HistrionicManManMan
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 3:18pmI can tell you he was a human being. A person, with thoughts and dreams, aspirations and goals, a wife and plans for a family. Where, exactly, does his religion factor into this tragedy?
Report Post »Tickdog
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 12:36pmSad…Rest in peace.
Report Post »SharonIsCaring
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 12:52pmI too have cancer. All his pain is over. GOD speed the cure for cancer.
Report Post »majasdad
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 7:12pm@SHARONISCARING
Good luck and stay strong.
Report Post »Ashton Xander
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 12:07pmThat’s a sad story. Rest in Peace. I am sure it was a good and healthy battle with leukemia. I wish you surpassed that challenge. However, everything has a reason that all we have to do is accept it even it’s hard. Sometimes in life we just hit rough times. Let’s start a happy ending. What are we waiting for? To know how, visit http://www.givemeyourworst.com/
Report Post »leary1
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 11:26amEric, Never had the pleasure to meet you, my regards to all that knew and loved you, YOU AND REMAINING FAMILY WILL BE IN MY PRAYERS!! Lost Dad to bone cancer, Mom to mesothelioma, it is tough but all we can do is remember and move on !
Report Post »Vickie Dhaene
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 10:47amRest well Eric. The struggle is over and hoping peace will remain for the family.
Report Post »000degrees
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 11:20amRest in peace brother….Eric you have inspired me to not wait any longer for one item on my list. I am looking for another bike to own and partially because of where you worked I am only looking at Harley Davidson. The Lord’s peace to you and your loved ones………
Report Post »canon
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 10:39amRest in peace Eric. my sister and niece died and It was hard saying good-bye. visit my website this is what I found to do to help ease the pain http://www.godandspirit.com there is life beyond this one. I know that to be true.
Report Post »PG1701
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 10:37amAnd, Fatfreetoothpaste, real Republicans wouldn’t be so flippant.
Report Post »I apologize for him, and wish peace for Eric’s family.
fatfreetoothpaste
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 11:12am“real Republicans wouldn’t” LOL!! Yeah all those [R]epublicans are certainly out there practicing all kind of restraint.
How is it you can’t relax and enjoy a little gallows humor, from a Ted Nugent “Trample the weak and Hurdle the Dead” [r]epbulican?
Report Post »fatfreetoothpaste
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 10:20amHe had never eaten a Big Mac? Probably a liberal. Obviously a diet devoid of McDonald’s causes leukemia.
Report Post »GlennaBeckski
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 9:26amLove that photograph of him on his Harley! The before and after shots of him are a wicked reminder to how fragile our lives really are. I couldn’t make it through the video … Sincerest blessings to his family. I hope you are resting in peace Eric.
Report Post »lobo2525
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 10:39amThere is a secret we Cancer survivors know that most people don’t, life is precious and every moment counts. In some ways it puts life and Important things in prospective. Dream, Do and live with passion.
Report Post »I have walked thru the valley of the shadow of death and I have no fear for the lord is with me.
txannie
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 10:52am@lobo2525….well said. My sentiments exactly. He fought hard and well. We’ll be seeing him in the future.
Report Post »SavvyCowboy
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 11:23am@Lobo2525 – indeed well said. We can all learn from those who were lucky enough to survive a life threatening situation and carry with them a new outlook on life. Your “secrets” should be lived by everyone every day we have here on earth. God bless Eric and his family; he rests in peace with no more pain and suffering. I am sure Eric is riding a Harley throughout the Streets of Glory. However he left behind all those who loved him and suffer in their mourning. Pray God wraps His loving arms around them and comforts them.
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 9:19amHe has walked the road we all will walk. He did it with courage. May perpetual light shine upon him.
Report Post »The Southern Scotsman
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 9:14amsaddest thing i have ever seen. knowing that this is his final message. i was a complete mess watching that. don’t even know how I made it through it. God Bless the man.
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 9:08amNo more pain, Eric, no more sorrow, and now you know it isn’t scarey at all. Eternity is before you. God bless to you and your family.
Report Post »Locked
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 8:44amIt’s not the amount of time you live, it’s how much you live during that time. There‘s always more we want to do than we can accomplish with the time we’re given; don‘t live every day like it’s your last, but live every day with the knowledge that THIS day will never happen again. Make the most of it.
This man died young, but lived more than many people twice his age would. May he be welcomed in Heaven by God Himself. And I pray his wife, friends, and family are comforted as well.
Report Post »muddpuddle
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 8:32amRest assured, this was not the work of God. The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. This man’s life was cut short by the working of the enemy.
Report Post »Recceman90
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 8:29amRest in Peace Eric, thank you for your message.
Report Post »NewLife56
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 8:27amRIP and God Bless the family
Report Post »dannyo
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 8:25amin the election season of 2008 barhetoric insane obeyme would have said he has a cure for this type of cancer, and in 2012 bill clinton will say barry will be unvailing the medication if he is re-elected…RIP Eric, you are in a better place…
Report Post »THXll38
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 8:15amHere I am complaining about a sinus infection to my wife, and this guy been through the ringer and back. I think when someone asks me how I feel today, I will tell them fantastic.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on August 24, 2012 at 8:02amRest in Peace; your time and journey on earth has come to its conclusion as God deemed it to be time for; yet through your efforts done, the mission and goal will continue forth to help many, many more people.
Report Post »