Inspired by "The Remarkable Life
of Ibelin" Documentary, Players in World of Warcraft can
Support Global Nonprofit and Fund Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Research
NEWPORT
BEACH, Calif., Oct. 25,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Blizzard Entertainment and the
massively multiplayer online role-playing game, World of Warcraft®,
are teaming up with CureDuchenne, a global nonprofit dedicated to
funding and finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, to
launch an in-game promotion that will raise funds for the nonprofit
and accelerate a cure for the rare neuromuscular disease.
The charity partnership is inspired by the incredible story of
Mats Steen, which was captured in
the newly released award-winning Netflix documentary, The
Remarkable Life of Ibelin. Mats, a Norwegian World of Warcraft
player known in game as Ibelin, suffered from Duchenne muscular
dystrophy. In the wake of his death at age 25, his family
discovered what they thought was a life lived in total isolation
was in fact filled with joy, laughter, friendship and love through
Mats' adventures in World of Warcraft. The game opened a
world of community and connection his family never knew existed and
gave him a rich set of friends and experiences that would not have
been possible outside of the game environment. Mats was a
supportive friend and trusted advisor who made a tremendous impact
on the lives of all he encountered in the game.
World of Warcraft players will have the opportunity to
build on Mats' legacy and adopt a limited-edition pet in World of
Warcraft to accompany them on their adventures while supporting
CureDuchenne's mission of improving and extending the lives of
those with Duchenne muscular dystrophy around the world. The Reven
Pack, available for US$20 now through
January 7, 2025, features an adorable
fox pet, Reven ("fox" in Norwegian), for both modern World of
Warcraft and Classic Progression realms. Additionally, modern
WoW players will also get a transmog backpack, Reven's Comfy
Carrier, complete with a sleepy Reven. One hundred percent of the
purchase price* will be donated to CureDuchenne to accelerate
research toward a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and improve
care for individuals worldwide living with the disease.
"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," said Debra Miller, founder
and CEO of CureDuchenne. "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. 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."
"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."
To learn more or purchase The Reven Pack, visit
www.cureduchenne.org/worldofwarcraft. Note that buying or
purchasing this digital item is a license.
* Now through January 7, 2025,
10:00 AM PDT, Blizzard Entertainment
will donate 100% of the purchase price of "The Reven Pack" digital
bundle to CureDuchenne, less any chargebacks, refunds, transaction
fees, and Value Added Taxes (VAT), or other similar taxes paid.
These versions of items are special editions available as part of
this initiative only. Buying or purchasing this digital item is a
license.
About CureDuchenne
CureDuchenne is the global nonprofit leader in research, patient
care, and innovation for improving and extending the lives of those
with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive neuromuscular
disease that affects about 300,000 individuals around the world.
CureDuchenne accelerates research toward a cure for Duchenne by
funding early-stage science with the goal of bringing
treatments to everyone affected by Duchenne, no matter where
they live, what language they speak or their financial
status. We also support families through education and
outreach and improve standards of care for individuals worldwide
with Duchenne, including those in underserved communities.
Visit www.cureduchenne.org to learn more.
About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®,
Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
(www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was
acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and
publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has
created some of the industry's most critically acclaimed and
genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record
that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard
Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world
with titles available on PC via Battle.net®, Xbox, PlayStation,
Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.
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SOURCE CureDuchenne