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Via Super Mario Wiki/Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Nintendo fans everywhere are stoked for the December 7th release of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and with all the hype surrounding it, that date can’t come soon enough. For most of us, the wait just adds to the anticipation and excitement of it all, but for Chris Taylor, it takes on a whole new meaning.
The 21-year-old Smash Bros. fan has terminal cancer and sadly has only been given a few months to live, so he’s not even sure he’ll be here long enough to see the game hit store shelves.
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Via Twitter/SpookyWoobler
A few weeks ago, he shared his thoughts about it on Twitter. The next day, Chris continued, “December is a long way away for someone who is already bedridden. I know it’s childish to despair over a video game but ‘Smash’ means a lot to me and when ‘Ultimate’ looks soo good it breaks my heart. Sorry to be sad on main during hype time but hearing about things like ‘Smash’ and ‘DMC5’ is starting to become painful to listen and reminds me I won’t be able to play these games I’ve been waiting years for only for random chance to kill me slowly as soon as they’re announced.”
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Via Twitter/SpookyWoobler
Diagnosed with a type of bone cancer called osteosarcoma, Chris has been battling it for three years. Earlier this summer he decided not to continue his treatment, saying that, “After speaking with my oncologist, barring extreme circumstances, I decided to no longer pursue treatment. I came to this decision from many directions, I’ve done a total of 6 different treatments for my cancer now and they’ve had no noticeable effect, or in one case, made my situation worse.”
According to his doctor’s prognosis, he has about three to six months left.
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Via Twitter/AStartShow
As sad as this story is, there is some light at the end of the tunnel.
Knowing how much this game means to Chris, his friends stepped up and started a social media campaign, hoping to get Nintendo’s attention. All over the Internet, people were touched and began sharing Chris’s story, urging Nintendo to let him play it before it was too late.
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Via Twitter/SpookyWoobler
And it worked! A few days ago, Chris posted this Tweet along with some pictures of him playing the E3 demo of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate with his friends and family.
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Via Twitter/SpookyWoobler7
Via Twitter/SpookyWoobler8
Via Twitter/SpookyWoobler
As irrelevant as a video game is in the grand scheme of things, this small but amazing gesture made the world of difference in Chris’s life and what he has left of it. The fact that thousands of people can come together as one and stand behind a young man who is facing the harshest realities of life, and that a huge corporation like Nintendo would pay attention and answer the call is truly remarkable. It just proves that no matter what, there’s still a lot of good left in this world.
Salute to you, Nintendo.
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Via MIB Agents
One final note, Chris shared this on Reddit, so I will too. If you would like to donate and help in the fight against osteosarcoma, click here. MIB Agents is a non-profit that helps fund research for new medication and treatments as well as helping to fund the dying dreams of people like Chris. In his own words, “If you could send some donations their way, that would mean a million to me”.
Keep fighting Chris, we’re all with you!
H/T: The Verge
