**SEE UPDATES in LINKS BELOW***

This is a periodic update of Ezra Chatterton, the 10-year-old World of Warcraft fan with brain cancer whose wish was granted by Irvine’s Blizzard Entertainment. Developers created new characters and quests for the game in Ezra’s honor. His family believes that the outpouring of reader e-mail and support has helped Ezra on his road to recovery.

Ezra’s quest, new characters (such as Ahab Wheathoof , the rancher) and the new weapon — a fiery crossbow (on right) — are now in the game, according to Blizzard staff. Click on image for larger view.

But more importantly, I just heard from Ezra’s father, Micah, and Ezra’s last radiation treatment is this Friday, which coincides with his 11th birthday. If you’ve been following his story, send him a note to encourage him. Micah writes:

On the whole, though, he is making good progress with his treatment. He is not having any obvious headaches or pain from the cancer anymore, so we’ve been able to trim his pain medication back. This has allowed him to regain a bit of mental alertness and focus, as well as show us for sure that a good portion of his fatigue was the result of medication rather than the cancer or the radiation. …

Ezra’s been playing Warcraft III a lot recently to bone up on the mythology of the game. We’re going to see Jeff Kaplan and friends at BlizzCon next month, and Ezra wants to make sure he has some good conversation topics.

We still receive emails from WoW players, but not as many as before. I can’t say enough, though, about the effect they have had on Ezra. The confidence of these letters, saying he will get better, get through this, have really helped him have confidence that he will get better. I’m not sure how much this will alter his recovery, but I do believe in the power of mental healing and positive thinking. — Micah Chatterton

Thanks for the update Micah! If anyone has any Warcraft tips for Ezra, I’m sure he’d appreciate it. Send him an e-mail.

The Ezra Chatterton archive:

* Aug. 21, 2008: Ezra Update: WoW fan with cancer suffers stroke
* June 15, 2008:  WoW fan’s cancer spreads but family remains upbeat
*Feb. 29, 2008: Ezra update: Still recovering, playing World of Warcraft
* Sept. 28, 2007: Ezra Update: Warcraft fan has ups and downs
* July 18, 2007: Ezra update: Warcraft fan with cancer turns 11
* June 13, 2007: UPDATE: Condition of Warcraft fan with cancer improves
* May 31, 2007, Big screen for Ezra?
* May 25, 2007: Fund for Warcraft fan with cancer set up
* May 23, 2007: Gamers show their support for Ezra
* May 22, 2007: Images of Ezra’s WoW creations, thanks to Blizzard developers
* May 22, 2007: The original story and slideshow:Blizzard makes WoW wish virtual

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