Reader Dave let us know about a moving article by Brian Kibler, one of the designers behind the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game. He writes about how his mother had supported him growing up with his passion for trading card games, believing in him every step of the way while at the same time often struggling with poor health. In 2006 though, he found out she had been diagnosed with brain cancer, and he heard her say the fateful words, "Brian... I'm going to die.""It was that day that I realized I had to do something for her," Brian writes, "It was that day that I told Danny that I didn't care what it took-we were putting a card for her into set two. It was that day that Lady Kath was born."
I'm told Lady Kath is one of the most powerful cards in the game, a paladin who heals all her allies at the end of each turn -- just as in real life, Brian's mother was a nurse who "strove to help others whenever and however she could," even when she herself was in poor health. On her card is written: "Her strength and warmth touch all those who cross her path."
Brian's story moves me personally, as my own mother has been struggling with brain cancer for the last two years, although thankfully she is in recovery now. Just like Lady Kath, my mother is a healer, a family therapist, who has supported me in my dreams all my life. The story of Lady Kath and her son Brian speaks to me of the beauty and power of such women who devote themselves healing and nurturing their children and friends, and the unimaginable joy they feel when we express our love and gratitude in return.
Brian's mother, the real Lady Kath, passed away on May 4th, feeling that this card was the greatest gift she had ever received. His last memory of her is of her "lying in bed with a copy of Lady Kath crumpled up in her hand as she looked up at me and smiled." Some of her friends and colleagues from the hospital where she worked have also been inspired by this card to organize a fund-raising team to fight cancer called "Lady Kath's Warriors."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
6-26-2007 @ 2:51PM
Urthona said...
/hug
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6-26-2007 @ 2:53PM
CVJ said...
Oh wow this is great and also so sad at the same time. :(
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6-26-2007 @ 3:03PM
Tridus said...
When we're all busy looking for loot, arena points, or complaining about the use of a certain word, stories like this make you take a step back and remember what truly matters.
I think I'll call my mom tonight.
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6-26-2007 @ 3:09PM
The Cannabis Connoisseur said...
Wow what a touching story. Great way to honor her memory too. Someone gimme a tissue...
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6-26-2007 @ 3:20PM
Sylvina said...
On a side-note, I'm not 100% sure, but I think Lady Kath also heals all of your enemy's allies as well, which I think even goes to show how much of a great/kind person the real Kath was.
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6-26-2007 @ 3:25PM
Mike Schramm said...
Sylvina, yeah that's why the card is so great-- it heals all damage done by the allies on both sides each turn, both on the side she's on and the opponent's side.
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6-26-2007 @ 4:20PM
Christian Holton said...
My heart goes out to him. I'm a game developer and plan on including a Harley repair shop in Honor of my Dad who we lost in February.
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6-26-2007 @ 4:25PM
patlick said...
sad and touching story which really suck cause my medication is making me overly emotional.
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6-26-2007 @ 4:39PM
Sylvina said...
I thought so, the author said 'her allies', when in actuality it's every ally card on the table regardless of who it belongs to. ^_^ Just clarifying for non-TCG players I guess.
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6-26-2007 @ 4:49PM
someone said...
These "someone got sick so we made them something in wow" stories are stupid. If your going to do something like this great, but dont tell the whole world about it, no one honestly cares or needs to know and all you do is make yourself look good.
Its like when the tobacco companies give 200 million to charities then spend 800million telling people they did it.stfu.
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6-26-2007 @ 4:52PM
Tylenol said...
Did this article make everyone teari-eyed.. or was it just me. Very touching and hits me in a soft spot. I've lost two people I loved very much to Cancer. Great story and thank you for sharing it here with us. /Hug
PS >> Brian, why a Paladin?.. I have nothing but PVP nightmares about them.
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6-26-2007 @ 6:05PM
Elo said...
That story moves me too. My mother died from cancer recently.
She was larger than life and invested all her hope and love in my becoming. This is a great story of a loving son immortalizing his mother in a great avatar.
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6-26-2007 @ 7:17PM
Prester John said...
"These "someone got sick so we made them something in wow" stories are stupid. If your going to do something like this great, but dont tell the whole world about it, no one honestly cares or needs to know and all you do is make yourself look good.
Its like when the tobacco companies give 200 million to charities then spend 800million telling people they did it.stfu."
Dude, you're a dick. HTH.
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6-26-2007 @ 7:32PM
Sargentd said...
@10, All I can do is shake my head in shame for you. Maybe you will love someone someday and have the ability to understand it. Until then, please, if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all.
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6-26-2007 @ 7:35PM
Big Dan said...
@Tylenol Yes I did get teary eyed. I too have lost loved ones to cancer.
@someone I actually like knowing the stories behind things as they become that much more special when you realize that they have a story. I can see where you are coming from and it is good PR but I don't see Blizz or Vivendi or even Wizards of the coast putting comercials on TV etc saying that we should buy the cards because they have been used to commemorate the dead.
#off my soap box:
I wish I had been in a position to do something like this for my mom.
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6-26-2007 @ 7:56PM
Ugkul said...
@someone: Dude, you need a brain scan. Never thought I would be touched by an article about a TCG but I was, and I never would have known the card was created because the designer wanted to pay homage to his mom. And furthermore, it points the reader towards an organisation that helps fight cancer, and continues his mom's legacy of helping people.
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6-26-2007 @ 7:57PM
Freehugz said...
to do what!??!!
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6-27-2007 @ 2:49AM
Kinesthe said...
This is good stuff. Good to see people care for there parents as they tok care of them growing up...
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6-27-2007 @ 6:10AM
Grunt said...
T'is went right through my heart. Have ya ever seen a crying dwarf?
My deepest sympathy to Brian.
I'll give my mom a big hug right away.
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6-27-2007 @ 11:22AM
tosviolation said...
Honoring your mother with cancer is kind of odd. I'd prefer to honor my mom by giving her flowers, or sending a card or something.
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