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[Dalek]

Sick Destiny Player Reaches Lighthouse Before Dying, Thanks To His Friends

In the throes of cancer treatment, one Destiny player finally got the help that he needed to make it to the Lighthouse. After his death, the community came together for his family in an amazing way.

Mike Mariana had been playing Destiny since the beta, even though he was diagnosed with colon cancer shortly after it was released. That’s where he met Elliot and Tim, who were a part of a Destiny clan that had fallen off the game for a while. “Most all of us left and went on to other games. Mike stayed on Destiny,” Tim told me. “I hadn’t heard from him in awhile so I checked in on him one day and he told me he had been diagnosed with colon cancer. He said the only game he could play was Destiny. All other games made him sick due to some chemo side effects. When I heard that I downloaded Destiny again so that I could play with him.”

Tim and Elliot both described Mike as a kind, caring man, and a proud father of two children. Even after Mike was diagnosed with colon cancer, they both said he was positive throughout. “He would never complain though,” Elliot said. “He had no problem with giving people updates if asked. If you didn’t already know about his condition you would have never known.”

As Mike’s health started to decline, it was getting harder for him to play Destiny. Still, Tim knew how much it would mean to him to get to the Lighthouse, and they wanted to find a way to get him there before time ran out. They decided to enlist outside help.

“After many failed attempts at trying to get Mike as far as we could [in the Trials of Osiris] we were frustrated,” Elliot said. “Tim texted me one day and said that we should ask [a Twitch streamer] take Mike to the Lighthouse,” Elliot told me. “I loved the idea but I mentioned that we should contact Lupo first and see if he is willing.”

Mike’s friend Elliot reached out to Benjiman Lupo, or DrLupo, a Twitch streamer who often duked it out in the Trials of Osiris. In his initial message to the Lupo, Elliot wrote, “When [Mike] attempts to play games at this point he gets nauseous and can’t continue. It has been a long time goal of Mike’s to achieve flawless victory. I, nor any of our other clan members are good enough to do a carry for him. We are hoping that you would be willing to get Mike there for us. It would mean so much to him to not only get there, but to have a chance to play with a person such as yourself.”

Writing on Reddit, Lupo said, “I did what we set out to do - help Mike forget about his pain for an hour. Get his ass to the Lighthouse for the first time. And have a blast while doing it. And while doing so, he and his friends let us into their lives a little and reminded me that I don’t stream for myself so much as I stream the people that have built an amazing community around Destiny.”

During Lupo’s 24 hour charity stream for the Make A Wish Foundation, Mike finally made it to the Lighthouse. Mike, for his part, sounds at ease and happy when the moment finally arrives, even when detailing the state of his disease. Just before they ascend to the Lighthouse, someone asks him what he’s going through, and he says that while he had been diagnosed with colon cancer eight months prior, he had recently learned that it had spread to his liver and his brain. But there’s nothing in his voice that indicates how severe his condition is. He hadn’t had a chance to play Destiny recently because he had been recovering from surgery. He’s just happy to be playing again, with his friends.

According to Tim, Mike never thought of cancer as a major obstacle. “He thought it was just another hurdle to jump and he’d be back working a normal job like the rest of us,” he said. Unfortunately, a week ago, Mike passed away.

“I’ve asked if there is any way that I can help his family—if I receive word that there is, I will let you know,” Lupo wrote. “Until then, feel free to leave any comments you’d like passed onto his family on the video above. I found out before work today, and I sat on my bed and cried. I was given a chance to help touch someone’s life directly and I wouldn’t have been about to do so without the Destiny community.”

Eventually, Lupo got in contact with Mike’s family, who passed on a memorial fund for him, with a goal of $5,000. Within a day of posting that link, the Destiny community surpassed that goal. The family raised it to $7,500, and the community has helped them reach that goal as well.

Elliot wasn’t surprised at all by the outpouring of support for Mike’s family, and described the Destiny fanbase as full of caring hearts from all over the world. “While most other game specific communities foster negativity, Destiny has always had a overwhelming presence of kindness and generosity,” he told me. “I am proud to be a part of such a community. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting outstanding people like Mike, interacting with content creators both big and small, and making some of the best friends I’ve had. All this in an online universe that we all share.”

As usual-Destiny community is the best community.

 

[Shaanyboi]

 

[Ray Down]

Who is cutting Onions?

Nice move on the Destiny community.

 

[AmuroChan]

Godspeed brother.

 

[malboroking]

That second picture really brought the water works man. What a cool story, cancer is fucking garbage.

 

[josecitoxnyo]

This is why Dr.Lupo is one of the best streamers of this game. Awesome guy.

 

[Mawile]

Hard to even think of words to say.

So sad...but glad he was able to find amazing people to help him achieve this goal of his.

 

[Pinky]

 

[KZXcellent]

The Destiny community is incredible. This is heartbreaking.

 

[Kill3r7]

The Destiny community is incredible. This is heartbreaking.

.

 

[The Salt Life]

Destiny community continues to be the best group of humans on this planet.

 

[Khalifa Jayy]

I wasn't looking to cry today.

But damn...

 

[Captain Zyrain]

The story is nice.. the result not so much.

Bleh. Fuck cancer.

 

[KOHIPEET]

o7

He's one of the guardians now.

 

[Unreal Champ]

This is saddening to read. I lost a brother-in-law back in 2013 due to cancer and every time I read of someone dying with cancer it makes me cry because of him.

 

[KiefbladeMaster]

What an awesome thing to do for him.

This is saddening to read. I lost a brother-in-law back in 2013 due to cancer and every time I read of someone dying with cancer it makes me cry because of him.

Same here, lost my sister to it three years back. Always nice to see heartwarming stories like this, though..

 

[specdot]

Man. Prayers go out to that family. Huge shout out to the Destiny community man. As an active member since the beta I'm always surprised at how many genuinely kind people there are playing this game.

 

[MrS]

So sad. Really glad he got to the lighthouse though. Good on the streamer for coming through with the carry

 

[Falchion]

Fuuuuuuuuck that's so sad. Glad he got there though.

 

[HStallion]

RIP to him and glad he could do what he loved and enjoyed so much before he left. Haven't touched Destiny in a while but glad its fostered such a good community.

 

[FinaruDensetsu]

Such a great story. MMO communities are always the best.

 

[Dremark]

As usual-Destiny community is the best community.

I hear sad stuff about stuff happening to good people in the community but the stories are always about how great everyone treats each other. I should get back into it.

 

[ThEoRy...]

Wow this really makes me think about life. It's so fleeting and you just never know what's in store for you or your loved ones. Don't take them for granted and live life to the fullest.

 

[LNBL]

Damn that makes me really sad. Hope Bungie finds a way to commemorate him in the game or maybe destiny 2, name a character after him.

 

[Wedzi]

The Destiny community really is cool. It's like someone took the Halo community and wrung it out a couple of times. Rest easy

 

[Roaringburn]

Fuck cancer.

 

[Dinky Dino]

Removed since it's derailing the thread

 

[psynergylover]

This makes you wish the ghosts were real

Job well done guardian.

 

[FullMetaltech]

RIP Guardian.

 

[HStallion]

Threads like these annoy me for some reason. Maybe it's because it relates a deathwish to gaming (a sedentary hobby) which bothers me. I see gaming as a fun distraction so making his death about reaching some trivial lighthouse is off-putting. To me, cancer is one of those things where you're at the end of it and we all know a cancer death isn't pleasant so you won't be gaming at the end either way. It's a good thing pain killers exist and at least his suffering is over.

Does it really matter if it brought him happiness in such a dire time? If he wanted to play Pogs to help take his mind off of things who are you to judge?

 

[FaintColt388301]

Name a character after him in Destiny 2 Bungie!

Sorry for the loss. That's great that they got him there prior to him going and helped him remain in good spirits. Always good to see people give back.

 

[dc89]

may he rest in peace

 

[Intel_89]

Man Fuck cancer, never played Destiny but this is an awesome move by the community, good job guys.

 

[Kawika]

I think gaming gets a bad stigma for showing its ugly face online but when you read stories like this, it makes you happy to know that many people wanted to make someone's last days on earth happy. The amount of pain and suffering a normal life has to endure is unbelievable but to be robbed of your life at such a young age is truly a tragedy. My thoughts and prayers go out to this person's family and to all of those that made his time on earth just that much less painful. Good job fellow humans.

 

[cakely]

That is incredibly sad.

He had some really great friends.

 

[Blueblur1]

Tears. Just tears.

He's resting now and not suffering. Love what his friends did for him and what Lupo did for him.

 

[Leotarius]

Guardian Down. =(

 

[deafmedal]

Threads like these annoy me for some reason. Maybe it's because it relates a deathwish to gaming (a sedentary hobby) which bothers me. I see gaming as a fun distraction so making his death about reaching some trivial lighthouse is off-putting. To me, cancer is one of those things where you're at the end of it and we all know a cancer death isn't pleasant so you won't be gaming at the end either way. It's a good thing pain killers exist and at least his suffering is over.

Posts like these annoy me. Who cares if one of his final wishes was to reach the Lighthouse? Who cares if some kid wants to meet John Cena? Nothing in life truly matters so finding joy is an awesome thing regardless of how that joy is found as long as it doesn't harm anyone.
Inappropriate post.

OT- Destiny community is awesome, hope his family can find some solace in this shitty time.

 

[K.Jack]

Threads like these annoy me for some reason. Maybe it's because it relates a deathwish to gaming (a sedentary hobby) which bothers me. I see gaming as a fun distraction so making his death about reaching some trivial lighthouse is off-putting. To me, cancer is one of those things where you're at the end of it and we all know a cancer death isn't pleasant so you won't be gaming at the end either way. It's a good thing pain killers exist and at least his suffering is over.

So it's your job to shit on him, for wanting to achieve something in a video game, before he died?

HE made reaching the Lighthouse a life goal. It was far more than trivial, as he came to his inevitable end.

 

[Z O N E]

Threads like these annoy me for some reason. Maybe it's because it relates a deathwish to gaming (a sedentary hobby) which bothers me. I see gaming as a fun distraction so making his death about reaching some trivial lighthouse is off-putting. To me, cancer is one of those things where you're at the end of it and we all know a cancer death isn't pleasant so you won't be gaming at the end either way. It's a good thing pain killers exist and at least his suffering is over.

Who are you to judge how he wants to spend his moments and distract himself from his pain and suffering?

The Destiny community is amazing for doing this. May he Rest in Peace.

 

[potatohead]

Great story.

RIP to this man, too soon.

 

[HK-47]

Threads like these annoy me for some reason. Maybe it's because it relates a deathwish to gaming (a sedentary hobby) which bothers me. I see gaming as a fun distraction so making his death about reaching some trivial lighthouse is off-putting. To me, cancer is one of those things where you're at the end of it and we all know a cancer death isn't pleasant so you won't be gaming at the end either way. It's a good thing pain killers exist and at least his suffering is over.

I wonder how long you sat there wondering if you should post this and then decided to anyways.

 

[Fisty]

Just before they ascend to the Lighthouse, someone asks him what he’s going through, and he says that while he had been diagnosed with colon cancer eight months prior, he had recently learned that it had spread to his liver and his brain. But there’s nothing in his voice that indicates how severe his condition is.

Goddammit I lost it here. Destiny community is amazing, they just keep impressing me with how great they are as humans. Best wishes to his family

 

[Humdinger]

Very cool. As someone who's been in a similar position, let me say it means the world to have people visit you (even online) when you're in a state like that. Being in a hospital bed 24/7 for weeks on end is no fun. Glad you guys were able to alleviate some of his pain, boredom, and loneliness. Just to know people care means so much.

 

[SamuelSupreme]

The Destiny community is incredible. This is heartbreaking.

Im in the middle of a mall tearing up. Thats simply beautiful

 

[Jaguar Victory]

Glad he had some good buds to the end. Wish the best to his wife and children.

See you in Valhalla brother.

 

[1upsuper]

Threads like these annoy me for some reason. Maybe it's because it relates a deathwish to gaming (a sedentary hobby) which bothers me. I see gaming as a fun distraction so making his death about reaching some trivial lighthouse is off-putting. To me, cancer is one of those things where you're at the end of it and we all know a cancer death isn't pleasant so you won't be gaming at the end either way. It's a good thing pain killers exist and at least his suffering is over.

Ugh, how gross. Different things are important to different people. Destiny was super important to this guy and a good group of people helped him reach a personal goal before he passed. You have zero right to arbitrate good from bad "deathwishes" (you definitely used the wrong word here. Try last wishes). This isn't about you.

I've never really played Destiny but it seems like it's got a nice community. Good on these guys for helping Mike out. Rest in peace.

 

[Vormund]

Threads like these annoy me for some reason. Maybe it's because it relates a deathwish to gaming (a sedentary hobby) which bothers me. I see gaming as a fun distraction so making his death about reaching some trivial lighthouse is off-putting. To me, cancer is one of those things where you're at the end of it and we all know a cancer death isn't pleasant so you won't be gaming at the end either way. It's a good thing pain killers exist and at least his suffering is over.

It isn't about you. It's what HE wanted.

 

[Commanche Raisin Toast]

What a great way to put gaming talent to use and fulfill a brothers wish before he passes on. It's things like this that make me feel like the gaming community is far more than meets the eye.

 

[Humdinger]

Threads like these annoy me for some reason. Maybe it's because it relates a deathwish to gaming (a sedentary hobby) which bothers me.

Makes no sense. How does this have anything to do with a death wish?

I see gaming as a fun distraction so making his death about reaching some trivial lighthouse is off-putting.

It's because you're missing the point. The point is having friends show up for you and game with you, at a time like that. As I said above, that kind of thing means the world to someone in that position. If you've never been there -- and I'm guessing you're too young and inexperienced to ever have been -- then you just can't understand how important it is.

If it were an old man with cancer who wanted to play cards with his buddies, would you have the same reaction? "Ew, cards, what a trivial thing to do."

I don't play Destiny, so I don't know what "trying to reach the Lighthouse" involves, but metaphorically, it sounds like the perfect thing to do when you're facing death. Good practice for later, y' know?