645 replies to this topic

[Kyle Polulak]

We would like to give our deepest condolences to the family of one of our youngest MechWarriors, Sarah Marie Alida Parries. She was just 5 years old when she passed from inoperable brain cancer last week in Vancouver, Canada.

Sarah's favourite Mech chassis was the Jenner with streak SRMs, because she liked to lock on. She loved speeding around with nightvision and lots of medium lasers so she could, "get 'em good!" blazing through the Inner Sphere with her father Jon. Sarah was an excellent sport and shared her dad's passion for BattleTech.

"This one time daddy was playing his game in his big mech and he walked up to a baddy and the baddy just BLEW UP!"

In loving memory, Sarah's family and all of us here at MechWarrior Online kindly ask that you consider donating to your local Cancer Society or visit Cancer.ca to donate today.


Update July 23, 2013:

Viterbi, on 23 July 2013 - 08:30 AM, said:

I am pleased to announce that Sarah's Mech is now available for purchase, with proceeds being donated to the Canadian Cancer Society. Please see our new discussion thread, and FAQ page.

Spoiler

Update June 26, 2013:

Viterbi, on 26 June 2013 - 07:34 AM, said:

We’ve been overwhelmed with support for Sarah Parries, a 5 year old girl who tragically lost her life to cancer in Vancouver in May 2013. We posted a tribute to Sarah and cancer victims everywhere, which saw an outpouring of kind words from MechWarriors worldwide.

While Sarah’s family has expressed their deepest gratitude for the community’s warm wishes, we have also been empowered to create “Sarah’s Mech,” a special purchasable mech with proceeds being donated directly to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Due to the unique rules governing charity collection and donation, we have delayed the release of Sarah’s Mech briefly while we sort out the last of our paperwork. We had initially hoped to have this Mech available for purchase in June, but given that this is our first major sale for charity, we want to be absolutely certain that all proceeds are donated appropriately and to ensure that all Canadian and international policies are being respected.

Thank you for your patience while we get our ducks in a row. We’re really looking forward to raising money for a great cause and showing off this amazing Mech that will embody the spirit of Sarah Parries for years to come. Our new release date is scheduled for July.

Update July 2nd, 2013

Viterbi, on 02 July 2013 - 10:03 AM, said:

Sarah's Mech should be released this month, but as I noted before we're not quite ready to push it live.

Trust me, we want to get this out as quickly as possible; it's such a great cause and the sooner we can start raising money, the better. I'm personally following up with everyone working on this, we're just waiting on our partners and other organizations to get back to us with the final details.

I'm truly sorry about the delay, we're doing our best to get it available for purchase as quickly as we can! It's our first charity-related sale, so we're setting the groundwork for similar charity events in the future. Thanks for your patience.

Update July 11th, 2013

Niko Snow, on 11 July 2013 - 01:31 PM, said:

UPDATE:
We have worked through the legal and infrastructural challenges that were blocking this special charity 'Mech from becoming available. Sarah's Mech is now scheduled for arrival on the patch of the 23rd of July, 2013.

Viterbi, on 11 July 2013 - 06:39 PM, said:

This will be a completely separate donation system. MC may not be used to purchase Sarah's Mech. More information will come soon!

Edited by Viterbi, 23 July 2013 - 09:03 AM.

[dr cyanide]

Dev's It's been a long time since I posted around here... and to copy and past my earlier sentiments from Face book:

Wesley Norman Clark: MWO, Piranha Games... do the girl a service so we will all remember her... make Hero Jenna, name it after her, donate the proceeds to the cancer association.
To end:

Fare Thee Well MechWarrior

MechWarrior, cling thee not to this world,
As it holds for you no more.
But Listen! Listen for the song from afar,
And heed the lilting call of the land that awaits.

Let the final breath slip from your pierced chest,
And your broken hands fall from the stick.
Bend your bloodied brow to this life,
And let tumble the shattered helm that once cradled your head.

Leave behind these acrid smokes of the fields,
These swirling battlegrounds of charred metal, bone and flesh.
Depart from the flashing fires that filled your eyes with destruction,
And abandon the burning hulk of steel and crimson that was your mount.

Hold not to this realm,
But hasten! Hasten down the twisting path to the mountains.
To the dark mountains and beyond,
And across the shimmering sea.

Voyage then. Voyage thee well MechWarrior.
Voyage thee well and long.
Cross the great divide,
And find the land that beckons with its Siren's song.

Where swords and strife cannot follow,
Nor can cruel laser and cold gauss reach.
Where rolling hills of soft sun and velvet grasses embrace,
And quiet waters sooth your beleaguered soul.

Then, lay thee down MechWarrior,
Lay thee down and sleep.
Dream the dreams of victors...
Loose the silver cord...
And find your peace complete.

Fare thee well MechWarrior.
Fare thee well.

This poem and the arrangement of the words that constitute this poem are © by Glenn "nano" Byrum, 2008.

Edited by miSs, 11 March 2014 - 09:49 PM.
Edited on nano's request to the latest version of the poem

[Mister Blastman]

May you be blessed on the wings of angels in the clouds high above, aloft in the heavens in your free spirit at last, Sarah.

R.I.P.

As a father of a young daughter myself, this hits home. They're so young and full of life and the best thing to ever happen to me in my life.

Stay strong, Jon. May you meet up with her again some day.

[Orzorn]

dr cyanide, on 23 May 2013 - 08:33 AM, said:

Fare thee well MechWarrior.
Fare thee well.

Edited by Orzorn, 23 May 2013 - 08:36 AM.

[dr cyanide]

As a twice over survivor of cancer I know well that little girls fight.
A hero Jenner named in her honour and the proceeds there of made from sales would be a beautiful memorial for her.

[Elizander]

Make that into a Hero or Champion mech and I'll go buy it even if I am too busy to play right now~ you can donate part of the profits or something after taking out the costs of production and whatever makes the investors happy.

[Viper69]

May you soar on the wings of eagles young one.

[-Teiwaz-]

My condolences to the family and friends of Sarah.

*Bows head in a moment of silence for a fallen MechWarrior*

[Butane9000]

R.I.P. "Ms. Squirrel." May you forever taunt and annoy Atlases the way it should be.

Note to Devs: If she piloted a Jenner, why is a Raven pictured?

[Faithsfall]

My condolences to Jon and family as a father to 2 young girls 5 and 3 i can't begin to imagine your loss.

May she find peace and live on through the hearts and minds of those who loved her.

[Carrion Hound]

RIP--

I know the pain her family went through, as a member of my family fell to the big C.

Deepest condolences.

[Orzorn]

dr cyanide, on 23 May 2013 - 08:48 AM, said:

A hero Jenner named in her honour and the proceeds there of made from sales would be a beautiful memorial for her.

That's an awesome idea!

+1 to this

[Nehkrosis]

I would like to offer my deepest sympathies for all us at Clan Wolf

Also, a Hero Mech would be a lovely gesture

[Teddle Von Anderjack]

All of Zero Fox offers our deepest sympathies. Also agreed that a Hero Mech would be appropriate. Make it happen and I know that I for one will buy it.

[StalaggtIKE]

I am saddened to hear of Sarah's passing. Just from your message I could tell she had a lot of heart and feel I've too lost a friend. My condolences.

[FrostCollar]

My condolences - no one should have to die that young.

Elizander, on 23 May 2013 - 08:49 AM, said:

Make that into a Hero or Champion mech and I'll go buy it even if I am too busy to play right now~ you can donate part of the profits or something after taking out the costs of production and whatever makes the investors happy.

I'd buy it.

[Suzano]

my condolences

dr cyanide, on 23 May 2013 - 08:48 AM, said:

As a twice over survivor of cancer I know well that little girls fight. A hero Jenner named in her honour and the proceeds there of made from sales would be a beautiful memorial for her.

/sign

Edited by Suzano, 23 May 2013 - 09:14 AM.

[jay35]

Condolences on the loss of a loved one.

dr cyanide, on 23 May 2013 - 08:48 AM, said:

As a twice over survivor of cancer I know well that little girls fight.
A hero Jenner named in her honour and the proceeds there of made from sales would be a beautiful memorial for her.

Great suggestion, now let's give them time to see what they can come up with.

[Gallowglas]

My sincere condolences to the family and salute to our young fallen mechwarrior.

I'd definitely support a Jenner hero mech if proceeds were donated to a cancer foundation. As someone who has an aunt with terminal cancer and a mother and grandmother who have struggled with it, I'm always glad to support such causes. Even if a Jenner is not my mech of choice, I'd definitely buy one.

[Mighty Spike]

Heartbreaking. Lost my Dad through Cancer,my mum survived. My condolences to the family.

Rest in Peace lil Jenner Pilot.

The Tamar Jaegers saluts to you