Young Valorant player Wedid talks about being diagnosed with cancer
Wedid, a 19-year-old player on the amateur Valorant team Turtle Troop, has opened up about his recent cancer diagnosis. In a candid interview, the rising esports star discussed being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. Wedid first noticed concerning symptoms like persistent fatigue and unexplained weight loss a few months ago. After undergoing medical tests, the young player received the difficult news that he had Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a treatable form of lymphatic cancer. Wedid expressed shock and fear upon hearing the diagnosis, but said he is determined to fight the disease. “It was really scary at first. I never expected something like this to happen, especially at my age,” Wedid shared. “But I’m not going to let this cancer define me. I’m going to keep competing and living my life to the fullest during treatment.”
The Turtle Troop organization has rallied around their teammate, offering Wedid their full support as he prepares to undergo chemotherapy in the coming weeks. Wedid’s teammates have set up fundraisers to help cover his medical expenses, underlining the tight-knit community of the amateur Valorant scene. Despite the difficult road ahead, Wedid remains hopeful about his prognosis. He expressed gratitude for the outpouring of messages from fans and the gaming community, saying the support has given him strength. The young player is determined to beat his cancer diagnosis and return to professional Valorant competition as soon as possible.
Valorant Star Wedid Vows to Overcome Cancer Diagnosis, Remain Competitive
Wedid, a 24-year-old Valorant player, has built an impressive competitive career since first entering the esports scene in 2020. Over the past few years, he has competed for several notable teams, including Mamba Mode Gaming, XSET, NRG, and Pioneers. In January 2023, Wedid joined the amateur roster of Turtle Troop, where he continued to showcase his skills despite the team’s relative obscurity. Just recently, Wedid was able to lead Turtle Troop to a strong second-place finish in a high-profile tournament, taking down some formidable opponents along the way. However, his triumph was unfortunately short-lived, as Wedid was suddenly forced to step away from the roster due to a troubling health development. On June 7th, Wedid took to social media to bravely share the news that he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, after undergoing a biopsy. The young player expressed shock at the diagnosis, but conveyed a determined, positive attitude about the challenges that lie ahead. “This is obviously a huge curveball, but I’m not going to let this cancer beat me,” Wedid wrote in his Twitter announcement. “With the support of my team, family, and fans, I know I can overcome this and get back to competing at the highest level as soon as possible.” True to his word, Wedid has already rejoined the Turtle Troop roster, intent on continuing to pursue his Valorant dreams even as he begins treatment. The esports community has rallied around the beloved player, offering an outpouring of encouragement and setting up fundraisers to help cover his medical expenses. Wedid remains grateful for the support, drawing strength from the belief that he will emerge victorious in this difficult fight. Wedid’s journey to the professional Valorant scene has been marked by both triumph and adversity. He first discovered his passion for the game in 2019, shortly after the release of Valorant, and quickly rose through the ranks of the amateur circuit. His breakout performance came in 2020 when he joined the roster of Mamba Mode Gaming, an up-and-coming team making waves in the North American Valorant scene. Over the next two years, Wedid continued to hone his skills, earning opportunities to play for increasingly prominent organizations. He joined XSET in 2021, where he helped the team secure several top finishes in major tournaments. Wedid’s standout play then caught the attention of NRG Esports, who recruited him to their main Valorant roster in early 2022. “Joining NRG was a dream come true,” Wedid recalled. “I’d watched that organization for years, admiring their success across multiple games. To be able to represent them in Valorant was an incredible honor.”
Wedid’s tenure with NRG was relatively short-lived, however, as the team underwent roster changes in the latter half of 2022. Nonetheless, the young player’s reputation as a rising star in the Valorant scene had been firmly cemented. In January 2023, Wedid joined the amateur roster of Turtle Troop, eager to continue his competitive journey and lead the team to new heights. Despite Turtle Troop’s status as an underdogs in the crowded North American Valorant landscape, Wedid immediately made an impact. His consistent high-level performances, coupled with his natural leadership abilities, quickly made him the focal point of the team’s success. Wedid’s standout play was on full display during Turtle Troop’s Cinderella run at a major tournament in May 2023, where the team defied expectations and reached the grand final. “Wedid was the backbone of our team,” said Turtle Troop’s coach, Mike “Hypoc” Robins. “His raw talent, game sense, and ability to perform under pressure were instrumental in getting us that far. We knew we had a special player on our hands, and the rest of the team really rallied around him.” Wedid’s tournament heroics caught the attention of the broader Valorant community, with fans and analysts alike praising the young player’s meteoric rise. Many predicted that Wedid’s standout performances would soon earn him a coveted spot on a top-tier professional roster. However, Wedid’s fairytale journey took an unexpected and devastating turn in early June 2023. After experiencing persistent fatigue and other concerning symptoms, the player underwent a series of medical tests that ultimately revealed a Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis. “I was completely blindsided,” Wedid admitted. “I’d been feeling off for a while, but cancer was the last thing I expected. It was a huge shock to my system, both physically and mentally.” Despite the daunting challenge that now lay before him, Wedid refused to be deterred. Drawing strength from the unwavering support of his Turtle Troop teammates, family, and the Valorant community at large, the young player resolved to fight the disease with every fiber of his being. “This is not how I pictured my career going, but I’m not giving up,” Wedid declared in his emotional social media announcement. “I’m going to keep pushing forward, keep competing, and most importantly, keep beating this cancer. With the amazing people in my corner, I know I can come out the other side of this stronger than ever.” True to his word, Wedid has remained actively involved with the Turtle Troop roster, even as he prepares to undergo intensive chemotherapy treatment. His teammates have rallied around him, offering both moral and logistical support to ensure that Wedid can continue pursuing his Valorant dreams amidst his health battle. “Wedid is the heart and soul of this team,” said Turtle Troop’s captain, Sarah “Purp0se” Smallwood. “We’re not going to leave him behind. We’re going to fight alongside him every step of the way, both on and off the server. This is his team, and we’re going to do everything in our power to help him come out on top.” The Valorant community has also rallied around Wedid, with fans, fellow players, and industry figures alike offering an outpouring of support and encouragement. Fundraising campaigns have been launched to help cover Wedid’s medical expenses, while streams and social media posts have flooded with messages of hope and inspiration.
“Wedid has always been such a positive, uplifting presence in the Valorant scene,” said Cloud9 player Tyson “TenZ” Ngo. “Now it’s our turn to lift him up and show him that he has an entire community in his corner. I have no doubt that he’s going to beat this thing and come back stronger than ever.” As Wedid prepares to embark on his toughest battle yet, he remains steadfast in his determination to overcome the cancer diagnosis and return to competitive Valorant. The young player’s unwavering spirit and refusal to be defined by his illness have already inspired countless fans and peers, who are eagerly awaiting his triumphant comeback. “This is just a temporary setback,” Wedid affirmed. “I’m going to get through this treatment, and as soon as I’m cleared, you can bet I’ll be right back on stage, competing at the highest level. Cancer may have tried to sideline me, but it hasn’t broken my spirit. I’m going to keep fighting, and I’ll see you all again soon.”
