A little boy was allowed to play Fallout 76 before its release. However, the reason is a sad one, as the young fan probably doesn’t have much time left to live. Therefore, Bethesda made a special gift for him.
There are many examples of how hard life can be. This is also the case with little Wes. He suffers from neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that primarily occurs in children and adolescents.
When Wes realized that he would probably not experience the release of Fallout 76, Bethesda made him a special gift.
How a Boy’s Life Suddenly Changes
This is Wes: Wes was born on December 21, 2005, in Newport News, a small town in Virginia, USA. His parents describe him as an intelligent, cheerful boy with strong faith.
He loves Star Wars and everything related to animals and bugs. He is also a big Fallout fan. He is now also a big brother to two younger siblings.
About seven years ago, Wes was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Since then, he has been fighting cancer. Everything he has gone through has been documented in the Facebook group Wes’ Fight Against Neuroblastoma by his family, especially his father. The group serves to collect donations for treatment and for other children with cancer.
In a local magazine, the father describes his son as a hero:
My son is someone who inspires and motivates others, even when the circumstances are against him. […] even before he got sick. […] Despite the needles, transfusions, chemo, and medications, he keeps moving forward.
Since 2011, the group has regularly published pictures and status updates about the boy’s condition. The progression of the illness is documented in detail. This shows the hardships Wes and his family endure, but also that they remain brave and optimistic.
A Type of Cancer That Primarily Affects Children and Adolescents
What is neuroblastoma? This is a form of cancer that leads to the formation of several malignant tumors, mostly in the adrenal medulla and in the nerve plexus of the spine, the sympathetic chain. If this is affected, tumors can occur in the abdominal, pelvic, thoracic, and neck regions.
In the worst case, paralysis can occur. There are also different stages of the disease.
Wes was diagnosed with stage four, which corresponds to the most dangerous form of neuroblastoma.
How common is this? About 7% of cancers in childhood and adolescence are neuroblastomas. According to the German Childhood Cancer Register, about 130 children and adolescents are diagnosed with neuroblastoma each year, roughly one in 100,000 children under 15 is affected.
For seven years, Wes has been fighting this disease until the doctors recently decided to stop treatment.
Ultimately, Treatment Is Stopped
After numerous treatments, therapies, and surgeries, Wes has now had a total of four relapses. The doctors apparently see no way to save him; his body is too weakened by cancer.
On September 15, it was announced in the Facebook group that treatment would be stopped. Further therapy would only cause additional pain. Wes and his family were devastated by this news.
Wes says he is no longer angry or sad. He still finds ways to use his humor and make us smile when we need it.
A few days later, Wes realized that he might not experience the release of Fallout 76. As a big Fallout fan, he was downhearted about this. However, his story even reached Bethesda.
Bethesda Sends Power Edition of Fallout 76 with Community Manager
On September 20, another post was published in the Facebook group. In this, a happy Wes is seen with the power helmet that belongs to the special edition of Fallout 76. Next to him sits a man wearing a Fallout shirt.
Who is sitting with Wes? Bethesda learned of Wes’ touching story and quickly sent Matt Grandstaff, Community Manager, to Wes’s home. He brought with him the prototype of the Power Edition of Fallout 76.
This edition includes a power helmet, a Pip-Boy, and other goodies. The power helmet was signed by Todd Howard, head developer at Bethesda Studios. The Power Edition is already sold out, so it was no longer possible to obtain a copy from official retailers. But that was not all.
Wes was even allowed to play an early version of Fallout 76, nearly two months before the official release on November 14. Bethesda’s Grandstaff spent the day with Wes and watched him try out the online RPG.
Although he was not allowed to keep the game because it was not finished, Wes was very happy about it. This made Wes the first person outside of Bethesda to play Fallout 76.
Community Reactions:
- In the Facebook group, there is great empathy for Wes and Bethesda receives much praise for the action.
- On reddit, the reactions are sometimes quite cynical. One user asks whether the boy should really be playing Fallout, as he is technically too young.
Another notes, however, that if Wes was allowed to be the first to play Fallout 76, he is now the first inhabitant of Vault 76 to venture into the wasteland. In the Fallout history, he is thus also the first person to re-enter the wasteland after the fallout.
Will this be officially included in the canon?
In the meantime, Wes’s father continues to search for possible treatment options and still asks for donations. He does not want to give up on his son. You can also donate through this link.
Wes’s father continues to search for possible treatment options and still asks for donations. He does not want to give up on his son. You can also donate through this link.
On September 20, another post was published in the Facebook group. In this, a happy Wes is seen with the power helmet that belongs to the special edition of Fallout 76. Next to him sits a man wearing a Fallout shirt.
Who is sitting with Wes? Bethesda learned of Wes’ touching story and quickly sent Matt Grandstaff, Community Manager, to Wes’s home. He brought with him the prototype of the Power Edition of Fallout 76.
This edition includes a power helmet, a Pip-Boy, and other goodies. The power helmet was signed by Todd Howard, head developer at Bethesda Studios. The Power Edition is already sold out, so it was no longer possible to obtain a copy from official retailers. But that was not all.
Wes was even allowed to play an early version of Fallout 76, nearly two months before the official release on November 14. Bethesda’s Grandstaff spent the day with Wes and watched him try out the online RPG.
Although he was not allowed to keep the game because it was not finished, Wes was very happy about it. This made Wes the first person outside of Bethesda to play Fallout 76.
Community Reactions:
- In the Facebook group, there is great empathy for Wes and Bethesda receives much praise for the action.
- On reddit, the reactions are sometimes quite cynical. One user asks whether the boy should really be playing Fallout, as he is technically too young.
Another notes, however, that if Wes was allowed to be the first to play Fallout 76, he is now the first inhabitant of Vault 76 to venture into the wasteland. In the Fallout history, he is thus also the first person to re-enter the wasteland after the fallout.
Will this be officially included in the canon?
In the meantime, Wes’s father continues to search for possible treatment options and still asks for donations. He does not want to give up on his son. You can also donate through this link.
