CureDuchenne partners on World of Warcraft research fundraiser
Promotion inspired by story of player with DMD
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CureDuchenne is partnering with Blizzard Entertainment, maker of the massively multiplayer online role-playing game World of Warcraft, on a fundraiser to help advance research into new treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
Through Jan. 7, players of the video game will have the opportunity to adopt an in-game pet fox named Reven, who will accompany them on their online adventures. The Reven Pack is available to players of both modern World of Warcraft and Classic Progression realms. Players of the modern version can also get a transmog (appearance-changing) backpack called Reven’s Comfy Carrier, which features a sleepy version of the fox.
The Reven Pack is available for $20. Blizzard will donate the entire purchase price to CureDuchenne to advance research into DMD, a genetic disorder marked by progressive muscle damage. Although there are treatments that can slow DMD’s progression, there is no cure.
“We are immensely grateful to Blizzard Entertainment and World of Warcraft for their partnership to fund critical research that will bring us closer to a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and support families living with Duchenne around the world,” Debra Miller, founder and CEO of CureDuchenne, said in a press release sent to Muscular Dystrophy News.
Netflix documentary tracks story of ‘Ibelin’
The collaboration was inspired by the story of Mats Steen, a Norwegian World of Warcraft player who lived with DMD. Although his condition made it difficult for him to go on adventures in the physical world, he found joy, laughter, friendship, and love through his online adventures playing as a character named Ibelin. Steen’s story is being showcased in the documentary, The Remarkable Life of Ibelin, which is now streaming on Netflix.
“Mats Steen brought hope and support to so many who were lucky enough to know him but, like many with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, he left his loved ones far too soon,” Miller said. “With the generous support of the World of Warcraft community, we will be able to help will help more boys and young men like Mats live longer, stronger lives.”
The name of the fox companion in this promotion, Reven, comes from the Norwegian word for fox, in Steen’s memory.
“Mats Steen lived a life in World of Warcraft that he couldn’t in the real world as he fought Duchenne muscular dystrophy alongside his incredible family, who I’m proud to have met and fallen in love with,” said Holly Longdale, executive producer of World of Warcraft. “Working with CureDuchenne for our Charity Pet Program, in honor of Mats’ memory, allows us to harness the power of our phenomenal global community to bring meaningful impact to so many lives.”
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