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Ezra update: WoW fan with cancer suffers stroke

August 21st, 2008, 11:02 am · 20 Comments · posted by Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress

**Update** Ezra Chatterton passed away on Oct. 20, 2008. Read his father’s tribute HERE.

For World of Warcraft fans who have been following the plight of young Ezra Chatterton, I just heard from his father Micah and his son’s condition continues to worsen.

[For those tuning in: Ezra was diagnosed with brain cancer in Spring 2007. The Make-A-Wish Foundation granted his wish to spend a day with Blizzard Entertainment to develop his own character for the game (like Ahab Wheathoof pictured below, his quest and his fiery weapon, pictured below). I've been posting updates every few months (see below) because of the interest from thousands of WoW fans everywhere.]WoW’s new fiery crossbow, built to Ezra’s specs.

Last Thursday, Ezra suffered a stroke that for a time left him unable to wake fully or communicate, Micah writes. The tumor that had been shrinking is regrowing quickly. He’s on a high-dose of medication and still has pain, vision problems, lethargy and right-side weakness. It’s looking grave but Ezra remains optimistic. Says Micah:

“Up until last week, Ezra was doing as well as he’d ever been, and one of his favorite pastimes was to try to work out every conceivable talent combination for our Ephoenix and a few of our other characters once Wrath of the Lich King comes out.  As soon as he’d settled on one build, and weighed all the arguments for and against it, a new beta would come out, and the process would begin again.  WOW has been a consistent comfort to him through his cancer, something that he can devote himself to mentally, whether his body agrees or not.”

Micah’s personal note to fans everywhere:

Wishing on Warcraft story in OCRegister

To all of you WoW players and others who have kept Ezra in your thoughts and prayers through this last year and a half, please believe that your support has helped us immensely. Ezra has already outstretched the doctors’ expectations for his health by a mile. Your kindness has been a big part of that, along with the generosity  of Blizzard, the steadfastness of family, and the astonishing optimism of Ezra himself.  We hope that he continues to prove the doctors wrong.  Please keep him in your thoughts always.  Thank you all.

Micah and Ezra are still optimistic that the new treatments will work. I still hope to interview Ezra someday when he’s developing a game for Blizzard.

If you want to send Ezra a personal note, e-mail him at ephoenix@earthlink.net

Past Ezra coverage:

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Posted in: Blizzard • Latest game news • • • • • •
 
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 20 Comments

  • Cliff says:
    August 21, 2008 at 1:06 pm

    Hang in there kid!!! And Blizzard ROCKS!!!

  • MMO Clerks » Ezra Chatterton suffers a stroke says:
    August 21, 2008 at 6:00 pm

    [...] things have not been going so well for Ezra lately, as OC Register reports that he recently suffered a stroke. Micah, Ezra’s father, reports that he was doing well up [...]

  • Shadowwind says:
    August 22, 2008 at 7:42 am

    Hang in there Ezra, you can do this! I just wish I could toss a heal on you in real life. Best wishes

  • Michael says:
    August 22, 2008 at 8:28 am

    Hang In there kid we are all rooting for you. you can make it. we know you can! The entire world of warcraft is rooting for you!

  • Rogerdodger says:
    August 22, 2008 at 9:18 am

    What about the other thousands of kids who have cancer? I hate how big business picks one kid, does something for them, then that kid is instantly an “inspiration”… What about the kid who died last night from leukemia? Why not do a ‘kid’s with terminal illness’ blog? Is it really newsworthy to pt on a PC Game blog?

    I guess what im saying is, “Did you bring enough (terminally ill children) to share with the whole class?”

  • Keith says:
    August 22, 2008 at 9:38 am

    @Rogerdodger

    What kind of person finds comfort in criticizing any compassionaite act such as what Blizzard did for this child?

    I’m sure you are a perfectly healthy individual and the arrogance which you show in criticizing Blizzard making this boy’s dream come to true is disgusting.

    @Ezra - I’ll be seeing you in Northrend, get well buddy!

  • uri says:
    August 22, 2008 at 9:56 am

    Rogerdodger:

    Perfect is not the enemy of good.

    Are you really suggesting that good things happening for a few terminally ill children is worse than good things happening for no terminally ill children? If you want to get a taste of the other thousands of kids, volunteer in a pediatric oncology ward.

  • Noctisdiam says:
    August 22, 2008 at 3:08 pm

    Cruentus of Baelgun wishes you the best.

  • Weather says:
    August 23, 2008 at 9:55 am

    Ezra- hang in there! You’ll make it through! And thanks for creating an awesome weapon!

    -Weather 70 NE hunter Gorefiend

  • Matt says:
    August 26, 2008 at 7:32 am

    Hang tight, kiddo. You’ve got to make it through to keep that crazy dog of yours under control. :)

    Good luck from The Green Crusade.

    -Borgak, 70 Troll Priest, Scarlet Crusade

  • AzureFight says:
    August 26, 2008 at 3:38 pm

    Hang in there, thanks for the weopen, and dont feel bad about Rogerdogger hes just jeolus u got to make a weopen:)

  • Chihuahua says:
    September 16, 2008 at 5:51 am

    Hang in there kiddo, You can and will conquer your illness!

    Best regards, Grand Marshal Chihuahua Ragnaros EU

  • Christina says:
    September 18, 2008 at 1:54 pm

    Hang in there kiddo!! We’re all rooting for you! For the Horde!!!

    Vomitronic of Bladefist

  • Nilexshon says:
    September 30, 2008 at 4:09 pm

    Hiya kid!

    Hang in there Many players believe in your strength and we all are rooting for you!

    Hope to see you one day WoW and could make some fun ^^ hang in there kid and I’ll pray for you^^

    Best wishes and regards,
    Nilexshon

  • Max says:
    October 16, 2008 at 11:14 am

    Hang in there! I’ll put 3 stacks of lifebloom on you, if I could.

  • Mama says:
    October 22, 2008 at 6:09 pm

    Ezra is now in the arms of the Great watching over all from above. He will continue to live on in the game and hearts of those left behind. I am sure he will continue to play on. Ezra’s mighty strength touched many of us who never met him.

    Rest now, the pain has past

  • Sam says:
    October 23, 2008 at 7:38 pm

    Stick in there man. You can do it. Sorry for always thinking your quest was gay.

    Toastador of Arthas

  • Dara says:
    October 24, 2008 at 11:18 am

    For all who may find this link, Ezra passed away on October 20, 2008. Taken way too young, but able to make a tremendous contribution to what can be an impersonal, virtual world. RIP, son, may the Earth Mother guide you.

  • Mollacass says:
    October 24, 2008 at 12:38 pm

    Wow Rog, way to make an ass of yourself … but you had to know the comments would be coming your way …. Looking for attention?

    Mollacass of Bladefist (DGA)

  • Grelanor says:
    November 12, 2008 at 6:05 pm

    RIP Ezra, I favorited your site and just watched the Running of the Bulls last night on youtube :-)

    One small stickler for the author of this article…that is NOT Ahab Wheathoof in the pic of the Tauren provided on this page.