YouTuber Paul Harrell announced his own death in a pre-recorded video from cancer. He was 58.
Within the posthumous video titled “I’m Dead,” posted on Tuesday, September 3, Harrell shared that his pancreatic cancer had “spread faster than I assumed it will” and reached his bones.
Harrell, who first revealed his diagnosis to his followers on July 16, explained that doctors caught it early, “but not as early as I had thought.”
While sitting on a snow-covered log near his home in Oregon, he added, “You could have seen me recently using this crutch once I told you I broke my hip. Well, it wasn’t because I used to be injured in any form of accident; it was since the cancer spread to my bones, the bones crumbled, and my hip fractured.”
He had three final requests of his followers: to proceed supporting his channel and Patreon as his brother and crew take over, to avoid any pirated versions of his content, and to disengage from content creators who “denigrate” him online.
“To everyone who has watched, hit the like or dislike icon, commented, shared, subscribed, and donated on Patreon, thanks,” he said within the video. “All of those things support the channel greatly, and I can’t even begin to articulate how useful and appreciated those things are.”
Here’s more information in regards to the platform he used to teach viewers on firearms and the disease that took his life.
What Was His YouTube Channel About?
Harrell garnered over 1.2 million subscribers on his YouTube channel, where he posted videos discussing gun safety and reviewing firearms.
“My goal in doing all of this was, yes, to rejoice, do some things that were fun, but primarily to place out useful information. Or if not useful, not less than interesting information,” he said. “And what I actually hope is that, as you’re watching me, you’ve seen some things which have made you say, ‘Oh, I get it, okay.’ ”
Paul’s brother, Roy Harrell, shared at the tip of the death announcement that he would proceed to post on the channel.
“It was his wish that I maintain his legacy through this channel by continuing to place out high-quality educational content with the flair everyone knows and love from him,” Roy said.
What Is Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is a kind of cancer that begins within the tissues of the pancreas, an organ situated behind the lower a part of the stomach. The pancreas plays a significant role in digestion by producing enzymes that help digest food and hormones like insulin that help control blood sugar levels.
Several aspects can increase the danger of developing pancreatic cancer. These include smoking, chronic pancreatitis, a family history of pancreatic cancer, genetic mutations, diabetes, and obesity.
There are two primary sorts of pancreatic cancer:
- Exocrine Tumors: These are essentially the most common and develop within the exocrine cells, which produce digestive enzymes. Probably the most common kind of exocrine tumor is pancreatic adenocarcinoma, which begins within the cells that line the ducts of the pancreas.
- Endocrine Tumors (Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors or NETs): These are less common and originate from the endocrine cells, which produce hormones reminiscent of insulin and glucagon.
Pancreatic cancer often doesn’t show symptoms in its early stages, making it difficult to detect early. When symptoms do appear, they’ll include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), abdominal or back pain, unintended weight reduction, lack of appetite, nausea or vomiting, and new-onset diabetes or a worsening of existing diabetes.
Diagnosis often involves imaging tests (reminiscent of CT or MRI scans), endoscopic ultrasounds, and biopsy procedures. Treatment options rely on the stage and placement of the cancer, in addition to the patient’s overall health. Common treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.
Pancreatic cancer is understood for being particularly aggressive and difficult to treat, with a lower survival rate in comparison with many other cancers, especially when diagnosed at a later stage. Early detection and treatment are crucial for improving outcomes.
