How a YouTuber's death boosted fundraising for a rare cancer

Technoblade, a well-known Minecraft YouTuber, passed away at the young age of 23 due to a rare type of cancer called sarcoma, which affects bones and soft tissues. His real name was Alex. Despite his untimely death, his fans and fellow YouTubers have continued his legacy by raising funds for cancer research. Sarcoma UK, a charity organization, has stated that the support from the gaming community has significantly boosted their efforts. Sarcomas are relatively rare, affecting just over 5,000 people annually, with about 400 of these cases being young individuals. One such individual is Tom, a 21-year-old gamer from south-west London, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma two years ago. Tom mentioned that before Technoblade revealed his condition, he had never heard of any famous person with sarcoma. He believes it's beneficial that Technoblade brought attention to the disease. Tom had to leave university upon his diagnosis but has since returned to his studies. When Technoblade disclosed his cancer diagnosis in August 2021, he initially thought the pain in his arm was due to repetitive stress from gaming. However, when his arm swelled up, he went to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with cancer. Tom had a similar experience, where a pain in his leg was initially attributed to a physical injury. Tom received a relatively new type of treatment, made possible by recent advancements in cancer research. He noted that his sarcoma was difficult to distinguish from a sports injury and was only correctly diagnosed when he consulted a specialist. Many prominent YouTubers have followed in Technoblade's footsteps, including TommyInnit, another major Minecraft YouTuber with nearly 15 million followers. TommyInnit described Technoblade as a legend in the Minecraft community and someone he greatly admired. He found Technoblade's sarcoma diagnosis devastating. The loss of Technoblade has fueled TommyInnit's determination to raise awareness and support the fight against sarcoma. TommyInnit plans to raise funds for Sarcoma UK during the upcoming Jingle Jam fundraiser, a significant charity event where streamers and their followers donate through live telethon-style feeds. Richard Davidson, the CEO of Sarcoma UK, stated that the attention from the gaming community has dramatically enhanced their capabilities. He estimated that fundraising efforts inspired by Technoblade have raised approximately £1 million, a substantial amount for a relatively small charity like Sarcoma UK. Richard emphasized that involving the gaming community has revolutionized their work and the research they can fund. He also highlighted the importance of spreading the message among young people, as early detection is crucial for treating sarcomas. Richard advised people to be vigilant for symptoms such as bumps, lumps, bone pain, and changes in bone pain, and to consult a doctor if they notice any of these signs. Eleni, a 20-year-old from Portsmouth, is also actively raising awareness about sarcoma. Before her diagnosis, she had planned to join the Navy. Like Tom, her primary tumor was initially mistaken for a sports injury multiple times before she was diagnosed with cancer. Eleni described her diagnosis as a shock and has been campaigning to raise awareness ever since. She expressed gratitude that gamers are helping to elevate the profile of the disease. Eleni mentioned that connecting with other young people with cancer has helped her form lifelong friendships. Tom is now in remission after undergoing six rounds of chemotherapy and is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for further research. He stated that knowing others are in the same situation has positively impacted his mental health. Tom encouraged those who are struggling to reach out to other patients, as it has been beneficial for him.