Recently news broke that KT Rolster progamer Violet has been diagnosed with acute leukemia. In light of this news and suggestions from forum goers, we have decided to add an orange ribbon, the colour of leukemia and the KT team, to the top banner. It is a small gesture, but one made with the best wishes of our entire community behind it. You can read more about the situation in this letter to fans from the KT manager Lee Ji Hoon:
Hello, this is Lee Ji Hoon from KT Rolster. First, for all those who are keeping Violet on their minds, I deeply thank you in place of KT Rolster and Violet himself.
To be honest... after the STX game, Violet was planned to be first up in the Woongjin game too. But after the STX game, his skin wasn't in the best condition, so we got his blood checked at the dermatologist.. We got signs that were suggesting leukemia so we got his bone marrow checked ASAP. Obviously, the role of the lead-off player for the Woongjin game was replaced by Stats. Even then, we and the players were thinking that it was probably a mistake.. and that if the bone marrow results came out, that everything would be okay. On the day of the actual bone marrow test, because we had a game, someone from the office and Suny went with Violet. They said the results would come out this morning, so the person from the office and I accompanied him. We really had a positive mind, thinking that nothing would be wrong.. but the result turned out to be acute leukemia. I felt my eyes going black.. How would Violet feel? There are many different types of leukemia, but for now, it seems lymph-related. The precise disease name and the method for curing it will come out in the next 3-4 days.
Right now, there aren't any hospital rooms in which he can stay in, so he is being treated in the emergency room. All the players and their parents are staying by his side so hopefully he won't be lonely ^^ Violet is always so bright and positive, so I'm sure that he will be able to handle any type of treatment, and we'll help him as much as we can by his side. I was so proud of my players... as soon as Violet was diagnosed, they all went to Kang-nam and gave blood. It really made me warm and fuzzy inside... I really feel like a lucky person to be working together with these amazing kids ^^ Violet's still fine. As usual, messing around, laughing, chatting a lot... beating up his teammates and cursing (-_-) Even though when the chemotherapy starts and he has to go through different types of treatments, I'm sure he'll suffer... On that note, the reason why we told the media immediately... is that rather than letting them know when he is having a hard time, we felt that it would be best to let everyone know when he's still doing okay and the news wouldn't hit them as hard. A lot more people than we expected are behind Violet and supporting him and worrying about him, so as his Manager, I feel infinite gratitude and I'm touched beyond expression..
Jung Ho is definitely going to be cured 100%.. and we'll have him return as KT Rolster's "Bread" Toss. (T/N: Bread = Shik Bbang = Korean for the F-word. He was caught cursing on camera after losing to M18M) We ask for your continued support. I know a lot of people are going to be curious.. so I'll let everyone know whenever we hear of any developments during the treatments. Thanks for reading this so late at night, and take care of your own health too, because it's cold outside. Thank you.
Violet is one of the few Korean progamers who reads TeamLiquid on a regular basis. He has served as a valuable bridge between the insular world of Korean esports and the world. In 2009 he sat down and gave us an interview, which I recommend you take the time to read.
What can you do now? NeverGG has started a project called " Messages for Violet" where you can post a message that will be collected into a book and sent on to him. You can also take some time to educate yourself about cancer, and how it affects nearly every person on earth at one time or another. Finally, you can watch Violet at his best, tearing apart zerg on Heartbreak Ridge.
Really great to see TL take on this suggestion and show some form of support for Violet.. We are all hoping for a recovery! He has the whole sc community behind him!
It's not going to be an easy thing for him to get over. I've seen first-hand how nasty leukemia can be..... My father fought it, and the tough recovery process, before succumbing to an infection around 3 years later.....
Was so sad when I heard the news, love violet as a player to watch and he seems like a funny and nice guy. Hope all the best for him and his family. Violet fighting!
Wow, this is amazing, I'm glad Violet reads TL and that we get the chance to show him and KT our support. I've posted my contribution in NeverGG's thread, urge everyone who hasn't to do so.
It's nice that people are getting together to support him regardless of whatever team they support in PL.
Get well soon Violet. Thanks Manifesto for the awesome OP. Really touching to see how much TL cares :D
Is there any way to put that ribbon in your signature in replacement of say the team you root for? That would be something nice to have to show your personal support in addition to the banner across the top of the screen and the messages for violet.
very nice gesture, my sister got it about 10 years ago, about 2 years of hell and then 6 years recovery to get everything back to normal... nothing i would wish upon my worst enemy hope he gets well!
This is a great initiative and you make us feel proud about this community. Best wishes for Violet, i really hope all this love is giving him strength.
On January 31 2011 13:58 Equinox_kr wrote: Well judging from the interview it's a huge relief to hear that he'll be cured 100%.
Still sucks that he'll be out of action while he's undergoing treatment, he's one of my favorite players.
Violet fighting!
I'm sorry to put a damper on it, but the coach was writing it in the sense of determination. he was not making a factual statement.
Recovering or even surviving from Leukemia is not a 100% of survival. Chemotherapy is very dangerous and the slightest cold can kill you. While the treatments for Leukemia have come a long way in the past 40 years, it is still far from 100%.
Am I the only one who can't see the new banner? All that is showing is the dark blue background commonly seen throughout the site. Neither Chrome nor IE are revealing the ribbon. Cookies have been cleared. Any suggestions?
I was really sad upon hearing about this. Violet is one of my favorite protoss-players after Reach and Bisu. It's really horrible to see someone getting cancer at that age. I hope he gets well soon.
Hope violet sees the ribbon, well done TL, was very moving to see such an awesome website do this for someone, hope violet gets well soon so we can see him in action again
On January 31 2011 15:35 Dubzex wrote: Is there any way to put that ribbon in your signature in replacement of say the team you root for? That would be something nice to have to show your personal support in addition to the banner across the top of the screen and the messages for violet.
I like this idea. Or perhaps something similar to it that we can do.
I've never known or heard of Violet but i'd like him to get well soon and take care. I hope he gets all the support and love from his friends team and family
Perhaps it could be a good idea to make the ribbon in the banner a link to a thread about Violet, Leukemia, and perhaps a link to information about charities for Leukemia. Just an idea I thought of while trying to click the ribbon .
I am quite impressed with TL. I've never quite seen an online community like it. I'm glad to be a part of this community!
And Violet, please know that you have our full support regardless of the oceans that physically separate us! Have confidence in your resolve to beat this (because we do)!
Anyone that hasn't left a message for Violet on the messages for violet thread please don't hesitate to do so!
I was very touched when I saw this Ribbon and I think it is a great idea.
I'd like to use that Ribbon at my blog, too. And maybe some other Bloggers also want to show their solicitousness at their blogs or where ever. Would be cool if we could use that Ribbon to show that we are united and that we are standing behind him <3
I played him on HBR and got rolled on ICCUP C+ match (I all-in him as i normally do and I got rofl stomped losing 3 groups of lings and he literally only lost 1 gateway .. gg) .. very unfortunate to hear about his status but everyone is praying for him to get better.[ http://repdepot.net/replay.php?id=18135 ]
I'm too much of a newcomer here to know Violet, but it is really moving to see all his you at TL rally like this for your friend. This community keeps on showing new dimensions, I'm impressed.
My sincerest wishes that he makes a full recovery!
I am happy to see that a community as large as this could lend its support to someone to such a degree. It makes me happy knowing there are so many people who care. I was just thinking though, it would be interesting if where we can have our 'team' to choose from in our post, we could choose to put the ribbon in place of our teams.
My wife's a doc and she asked "is it ALL (acute lymphocytic leukemia) or AML (acute myeloid leukemia) ?" I don't know the difference between the two but she said it makes a big difference to the prognosis.
We are hoping you show fast improvement Violet. All the best mate, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
i had to search hard for why there is an orange ribbon. i knew red is for AIDS, but never heard of orange for leukemia. Well its written in Wikipedia that Orange is for motorcyclists, drug addicts and leukemia amongst other things so i guess its somewhat okay... to show awareness.
from wikipedia:
In the United States, the orange ribbon has been officially registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as the Animal Guardian Ribbon, a symbol used to raise public awareness of at-risk animals. The Animal Guardian Ribbon was created in 2003 by Rational Animal, a nonprofit media animal advocacy group in conjunction with the Mayor’s Alliance for New York City’s Animals. At-risk animals are defined as those “non-human animals who suffer from neglect or abuse or whose very lives and well-being are in jeopardy.”
lol:D aaaanyways, i like that teamliquid is taking up a position. well done, guys!
On February 01 2011 05:13 Furaha wrote: I was very touched when I saw this Ribbon and I think it is a great idea.
I'd like to use that Ribbon at my blog, too. And maybe some other Bloggers also want to show their solicitousness at their blogs or where ever. Would be cool if we could use that Ribbon to show that we are united and that we are standing behind him <3
I fully support the idea. Please mods give us a link to download the image or something like that. Even though I am not a blogger and don't have any sort of internet fame but I would like to use the ribbon on IM.
On February 01 2011 18:32 Xeserox wrote: Someone should make it so you can click on the ribbon and are linked to this post. I tried to do that before googling to find this thread.
I heard R1CH tried to do it but couldn't get it working.
On February 01 2011 18:02 iPlay wrote: My wife's a doc and she asked "is it ALL (acute lymphocytic leukemia) or AML (acute myeloid leukemia) ?" I don't know the difference between the two but she said it makes a big difference to the prognosis.
We are hoping you show fast improvement Violet. All the best mate, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
On February 01 2011 18:32 Xeserox wrote: Someone should make it so you can click on the ribbon and are linked to this post. I tried to do that before googling to find this thread.
I heard R1CH tried to do it but couldn't get it working.
On February 01 2011 18:32 Xeserox wrote: Someone should make it so you can click on the ribbon and are linked to this post. I tried to do that before googling to find this thread.
I heard R1CH tried to do it but couldn't get it working.
Are you trying to say there are things R1CH cannot do? O_o That he's a mortal?
On February 01 2011 18:32 Xeserox wrote: Someone should make it so you can click on the ribbon and are linked to this post. I tried to do that before googling to find this thread.
I heard R1CH tried to do it but couldn't get it working.
Are you trying to say there are things R1CH cannot do? O_o That he's a mortal?
Nonsense,the Website is mortal and it can't handle his godly awesomeness.
I'm sure it's been brought up already - I mean, VODs are in the OP - but that game on </3 Ridge when Violet stomped some Zerg by Maelstroming his muta flock provoked what ranks among the top ten loudest sounds a game has ever made me make.
On February 01 2011 18:02 iPlay wrote: My wife's a doc and she asked "is it ALL (acute lymphocytic leukemia) or AML (acute myeloid leukemia) ?" I don't know the difference between the two but she said it makes a big difference to the prognosis.
We are hoping you show fast improvement Violet. All the best mate, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
acute lymphoblastic, apparently
Oh man, that's pretty bad. His white cells aren't even getting a chance to mature properly.
On February 01 2011 18:02 iPlay wrote: My wife's a doc and she asked "is it ALL (acute lymphocytic leukemia) or AML (acute myeloid leukemia) ?" I don't know the difference between the two but she said it makes a big difference to the prognosis.
We are hoping you show fast improvement Violet. All the best mate, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
acute lymphoblastic, apparently
Oh man, that's pretty bad. His white cells aren't even getting a chance to mature properly.
i hope he makes it...
cancer is such a cruel disease.
edit: i just looked at the survival rates for people with acute lymphoblastic and it doesnt seem TOO bad (cancers always bad, i know)... he seems like a strong kid and his spirits are still good so hopefully he'll be okay in a little whiles time
Please make a thread of something that we can get news of his progress, i would be gratifying, maybe a sticky closed thread that can be edited for updates, is it possible?
On February 01 2011 18:02 iPlay wrote: My wife's a doc and she asked "is it ALL (acute lymphocytic leukemia) or AML (acute myeloid leukemia) ?" I don't know the difference between the two but she said it makes a big difference to the prognosis.
We are hoping you show fast improvement Violet. All the best mate, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
acute lymphoblastic, apparently
Oh man, that's pretty bad. His white cells aren't even getting a chance to mature properly.
i hope he makes it...
cancer is such a cruel disease.
edit: i just looked at the survival rates for people with acute lymphoblastic and it doesnt seem TOO bad (cancers always bad, i know)... he seems like a strong kid and his spirits are still good so hopefully he'll be okay in a little whiles time
It's something like a 50%-40% chance of long term survival if I recall. (This is something he might have to live with for the rest of his life, especially if it's caused by a genetic abnormality)
Basically his bone marrow is producing lots of immature lymphocytes (type of white blood cell) called Lymphoblasts (Blasts are immature versions of most blood cells, Myeloblasts, etc.). It's more of a serious issue if he gets sick, his immune system is overwhelmed and crowded out by these immature guys who can't do anything.
Thankfully there are plenty of treatments, and I'm sure he'll pull through.
Scientists at the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases and The Saban Research Institute of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles have announced a breakthrough in understanding how the body fights leukemia.
The scientists have identified a protein called CD19-ligand (CD19-L) located on the surface of certain white blood cells that facilitates the recognition and destruction of leukemia cells by the immune system. This work represents the first report of a bioengineered version of CD19-L, a recombinant human biotherapeutic agent targeting CD19-positive leukemic stem cells.
B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer occurring in children and adolescents. Despite having received intensive chemotherapy, some patients have recurring disease. For these individuals, the prospect of long-term survival is poor.
“We need new anti-leukemia therapies capable of killing chemotherapy-resistant leukemia cells in patients with relapsed ALL,” said Fatih Uckun, first author on the paper that has been published in the British Journal of Haematology. “These are the cells that are the most difficult to treat. The challenge is to kill these cells while leaving healthy cells intact.”
Uckun is professor of pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and a member of the Developmental Therapeutics Program at the Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell involved in immune function, are categorized as either B-cells or T-cells. CD19-L, the newly discovered element, is expressed on the surface of T-lymphocytes and allows them to selectively bind to the CD19 receptor on the surface of B-lineage leukemia cells, and most importantly on leukemic stem cells responsible for the survival and expansion of the leukemia cell population.
Once the CD19-L binds to leukemia cells, cell death occurs. Although CD19 is abundantly expressed on leukemia cells from B-lineage ALL patients, it is absent on red cells, T-cells and normal bone marrow stem cells, making it specific, and therefore, a good therapeutic target. Uckun and colleagues have bioengineered and prepared a highly purified liquid formulation of the human CD19-L protein. This recombinant protein not only shows selective binding to leukemia cells but also causes their rapid destruction within 24 hours. CD19-L killed even those leukemia cells that were highly resistant to both standard chemotherapy drugs, as well as radiation.
CD19-L is the first CD19-specific recombinant human protein with potent anti-leukemic activity against B-lineage ALL, the most common form of childhood cancer and the second most common form of acute leukemia in adults. The identification of CD19-L may lead to therapeutic innovation for childhood leukemia by allowing a selective destruction of leukemic stem cells.
According to Uckun, the next step will be to carefully evaluate this new agent for clinical potential against leukemia and to confirm in preclinical studies that leukemic cell destruction can be achieved at non-toxic dose levels.
“The CD19-ligand offers a previously unrecognized defense system against leukemia and opens a new range of therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of leukemia,” said Stuart Siegel, director of the Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
Scientists at the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases and The Saban Research Institute of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles have announced a breakthrough in understanding how the body fights leukemia.
The scientists have identified a protein called CD19-ligand (CD19-L) located on the surface of certain white blood cells that facilitates the recognition and destruction of leukemia cells by the immune system. This work represents the first report of a bioengineered version of CD19-L, a recombinant human biotherapeutic agent targeting CD19-positive leukemic stem cells.
B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer occurring in children and adolescents. Despite having received intensive chemotherapy, some patients have recurring disease. For these individuals, the prospect of long-term survival is poor.
“We need new anti-leukemia therapies capable of killing chemotherapy-resistant leukemia cells in patients with relapsed ALL,” said Fatih Uckun, first author on the paper that has been published in the British Journal of Haematology. “These are the cells that are the most difficult to treat. The challenge is to kill these cells while leaving healthy cells intact.”
Uckun is professor of pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and a member of the Developmental Therapeutics Program at the Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell involved in immune function, are categorized as either B-cells or T-cells. CD19-L, the newly discovered element, is expressed on the surface of T-lymphocytes and allows them to selectively bind to the CD19 receptor on the surface of B-lineage leukemia cells, and most importantly on leukemic stem cells responsible for the survival and expansion of the leukemia cell population.
Once the CD19-L binds to leukemia cells, cell death occurs. Although CD19 is abundantly expressed on leukemia cells from B-lineage ALL patients, it is absent on red cells, T-cells and normal bone marrow stem cells, making it specific, and therefore, a good therapeutic target. Uckun and colleagues have bioengineered and prepared a highly purified liquid formulation of the human CD19-L protein. This recombinant protein not only shows selective binding to leukemia cells but also causes their rapid destruction within 24 hours. CD19-L killed even those leukemia cells that were highly resistant to both standard chemotherapy drugs, as well as radiation.
CD19-L is the first CD19-specific recombinant human protein with potent anti-leukemic activity against B-lineage ALL, the most common form of childhood cancer and the second most common form of acute leukemia in adults. The identification of CD19-L may lead to therapeutic innovation for childhood leukemia by allowing a selective destruction of leukemic stem cells.
According to Uckun, the next step will be to carefully evaluate this new agent for clinical potential against leukemia and to confirm in preclinical studies that leukemic cell destruction can be achieved at non-toxic dose levels.
“The CD19-ligand offers a previously unrecognized defense system against leukemia and opens a new range of therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of leukemia,” said Stuart Siegel, director of the Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
On May 23 2011 07:22 fatfail wrote: May I ask why the banner was removed?
We put it up for a few months to show support and had an effort to send a card to him and let him know that we are thinking about him. It was not intended as a permanent change to TL.net.
I feel... like we should do something. He was beloved by many people on TL and actively engaged with his fans while suffering from his disease. I vote that we reinstate the ribbon (for a period of time as yet undecided) and perhaps make it so that links to liquipedia page or something. This seems like the appropriate thread to bump.
On August 23 2012 10:51 Kerotan wrote: I feel... like we should do something. He was beloved by many people on TL and actively engaged with his fans while suffering from his disease. I vote that we reinstate the ribbon (for a period of time as yet undecided) and perhaps make it so that links to liquipedia page or something. This seems like the appropriate thread to bump.
On August 23 2012 10:51 Kerotan wrote: I feel... like we should do something. He was beloved by many people on TL and actively engaged with his fans while suffering from his disease. I vote that we reinstate the ribbon (for a period of time as yet undecided) and perhaps make it so that links to liquipedia page or something. This seems like the appropriate thread to bump.
On August 23 2012 10:51 Kerotan wrote: I feel... like we should do something. He was beloved by many people on TL and actively engaged with his fans while suffering from his disease. I vote that we reinstate the ribbon (for a period of time as yet undecided) and perhaps make it so that links to liquipedia page or something. This seems like the appropriate thread to bump.
Even as a non-BW follower I wouldn't mind the banner being permanent either, especially with him being a poster here in addition to being BW hero and probably all around cool guy.
Constantly we hear stories about what former BW players are doing. Some of them prominent, some of them barely remembered. We'll never get to hear those stories about Violet. He deserves the chance to be remembered in the future, to be brought up again for some reason, even if it is so very sad.
RIP Violet, but making the banner permanent, while it's a nice gesture it could create issues in the future as more of our legends, our heroes pass away. Imagine the amount of ribbons we would need to comemorate all of our idols in bw and in time in sc2. ? :.]. Its the sad natural way of life, we all die although it is sad that violets time came and went so quickly.
On August 23 2012 16:52 Rossen wrote: RIP Violet, but making the banner permanent, while it's a nice gesture it could create issues in the future as more of our legends, our heroes pass away. Imagine the amount of ribbons we would need to comemorate all of our idols in bw and in time in sc2. ? :.]. Its the sad natural way of life, we all die although it is sad that violets time came and went so quickly.
This guy has a really good point, even it is sad and very unfortunate, more BW and SC2 people will eventually die...
On August 23 2012 16:52 Rossen wrote: RIP Violet, but making the banner permanent, while it's a nice gesture it could create issues in the future as more of our legends, our heroes pass away. Imagine the amount of ribbons we would need to comemorate all of our idols in bw and in time in sc2. ? :.]. Its the sad natural way of life, we all die although it is sad that violets time came and went so quickly.
This guy has a really good point, even it is sad and very unfortunate, more BW and SC2 people will eventually die...
We should find a way to have some kind of memorial then, whether it's as simple as having a memorial wall sort of thing on the site. I'm for the banner personally, or the idea of having a reminder of who we've lost.
On August 23 2012 16:52 Rossen wrote: RIP Violet, but making the banner permanent, while it's a nice gesture it could create issues in the future as more of our legends, our heroes pass away. Imagine the amount of ribbons we would need to comemorate all of our idols in bw and in time in sc2. ? :.]. Its the sad natural way of life, we all die although it is sad that violets time came and went so quickly.
This guy has a really good point, even it is sad and very unfortunate, more BW and SC2 people will eventually die...
More BW and SC II pros will die, but what makes this case unique is that it was an illness that killed someone who was still young which is rather rare.
And I support the permanent banner as well...the guy was my number one influence when it came to learning Protoss.
i say keep it for a while. a while meaning months. then maybe after that, make the week he passes away, return the banner once again every year. so like a memorial thing.
On August 23 2012 16:52 Rossen wrote: RIP Violet, but making the banner permanent, while it's a nice gesture it could create issues in the future as more of our legends, our heroes pass away. Imagine the amount of ribbons we would need to comemorate all of our idols in bw and in time in sc2. ? :.]. Its the sad natural way of life, we all die although it is sad that violets time came and went so quickly.
This guy has a really good point, even it is sad and very unfortunate, more BW and SC2 people will eventually die...
Sure if you think a lot of the SCBW and SC2 guys will die at the age of 23 ! For a lot of us, we are sad. For a few of us we are really touched. And some other people that knew, met, talked to him hurt like hell. So i see a nice homage to have it permanent. I'm on the far side of the one we never met him and just saw him play on streams. But i'm really touched by this news.
EPT
Violet has been diagnosed with acute leukemia. In light of this news and suggestions from forum goers, we have decided to add an orange ribbon, the colour of leukemia and the KT team, to the top banner. It is a small gesture, but one made with the best wishes of our entire community behind it. You can read more about the situation in this letter to fans from the KT manager Lee Ji Hoon:
