The death of Minecraft YouTuber Technoblade, whose real name was Alex, at the age of 23, left a profound impact on his fans worldwide. Diagnosed with sarcoma, a rare cancer affecting bones and soft tissues, just a year before his passing, Alex’s story has since inspired a significant movement in cancer fundraising and awareness.
Technoblade’s millions of followers, along with other prominent YouTubers, have taken up his cause, raising substantial funds for sarcoma research. Sarcoma UK, a charity dedicated to this rare cancer, credits the gaming community for revolutionizing its efforts. According to the charity, sarcomas affect just over 5,000 people annually, with about 400 of those cases involving young individuals.
One such individual is Tom from south-west London, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma two years ago. A gamer himself, Tom had never heard of anyone famous with sarcoma until Technoblade shared his diagnosis. “It’s good to know he got people talking about it,” Tom remarked. Forced to drop out of university due to his diagnosis, Tom has since resumed his studies.
Technoblade’s journey began with a pain in his arm, initially attributed to repetitive stress from gaming. However, when his arm swelled, a hospital visit revealed the cancer diagnosis. Tom’s experience was similar, with a pain in his leg initially mistaken for a physical injury. It was only through seeing a specialist that the true cause was identified.
Tom received a relatively new treatment developed from recent breakthroughs in cancer research. He noted the difficulty in distinguishing sarcoma from sports injuries, emphasizing the importance of specialist consultation. “It’s a difficult disease,” he said.
Following Technoblade’s footsteps, many big-name streamers have joined the cause, including TommyInnit, a Minecraft YouTuber with nearly 15 million followers. “Technoblade was an absolute legend in the Minecraft community and someone I really looked up to immensely,” TommyInnit shared. “Losing him has been really terrible, but it has also ignited a fierce determination within me to raise awareness and support the fight against sarcoma.”
TommyInnit plans to raise funds for Sarcoma UK through the upcoming Jingle Jam fundraiser, a major charity event where streamers and their followers donate via live feeds. Sarcoma UK’s CEO, Richard Davidson, highlighted the transformative impact of the gaming community’s involvement. “Technoblade’s story really spoke to the impact that content creators and streaming can have in raising awareness,” he said.
Davidson estimates that fundraising inspired by Technoblade has generated around £1 million, a significant sum for a relatively small charity like Sarcoma UK. “Getting the gaming community on board has really revolutionized the work we can do and the research we can invest in,” he added. He also stressed the importance of early detection in treating sarcomas, urging people to be vigilant about symptoms like lumps, bone pain, and changes in bone pain.
Eleni, a 20-year-old from Portsmouth, also advocates for young people with cancer. Initially planning to join the Navy, her life took a different turn after her sarcoma diagnosis. Like Tom, her primary tumor in her shoulder was mistaken for a sports injury multiple times. “When I got the diagnosis, it was such a shock. So ever since I’ve been campaigning to spread awareness,” she said.
Eleni appreciates the role gamers have played in raising the profile of the disease, noting the additional benefit of forming lifelong friendships with others in similar situations. “It’s something really special and really important,” she said.
After six rounds of chemotherapy, Tom is now in remission and actively works to raise awareness and funds for further research. He finds comfort in connecting with others who have undergone similar treatments. “It’s really comforting to talk to other people who have gone through treatment,” he said. “When I come out of sessions, talking to others, I just feel a lot better about it.”
Tom encourages others struggling with their diagnosis to reach out to fellow patients, emphasizing the positive impact it has had on his mental health. “It really has helped me a lot,” he concluded.
Technoblade’s legacy continues to inspire and mobilize a community dedicated to fighting sarcoma, ensuring that his impact endures beyond his untimely death.
Source: BBC Newsbeat
