Chris Hemsworth reportedly joined the campaign to help a terminally ill Avengers fan watch Endgame before its official release date.
33-year-old Alexander was diagnosed with mouth cancer in 2017 and inoperable liver cancer in 2018, when he was given 12 months to live – though ‘only if TACE [transarterial chemoembolization] treatment was effective’.
Speaking to UNILAD, the Australian Marvel fan explained how during his treatment, doctors had discovered he had Fanconi Anemia, a rare disease passed down through families, and affects mainly the bone marrow.
Fanconi Anemia was the underlying condition responsible for both cancers.
After learning of his diagnosis, Alexander decided his last wish would be to watch Avengers: Endgame, which is set to be released at the end of April this year.
The 33-year-old shared his story to Reddit, where he explained he’s likely to die before April, and asked for any advice about how he could watch the highly anticipated film any earlier.
Alexander wrote:
Liver cancer, mouth cancer, bone marrow failure. Will probably be dead before April. I’ve heard of people getting early screenings before. How do I get in on this action?
I’m not a child or anyone with a particularly tragic story. Just a normal guy. I’m 33, lost my sister three years ago to the same rare genetic disease, it turns out I have too. I’ll leave behind a devoted girlfriend and an adopted greyhound.
I thought I’d make it to April at least but my bone marrow is toast. Any suggestions?
Users on the site rallied around the fan, giving the post over 97, 000 upvotes at the time of writing (January 20). Those determined to help also shared Alexander’s story across different social media platforms, using the hashtag ‘Avengers4Alexander’.
As the campaign continued to gain backing, the Mail Online report Chris Hemsworth, who plays Thor in the Marvel Universe, prompted Disney to get in touch with the fan after being made aware of his story.
Alexander posted an update to Reddit where he explained someone contacted the actor on his behalf.
He wrote:
I’ve had messages from people hinting that Marvel higher ups are aware of me and are preparing something,
Also, because Australia is a small place, turns out I know a guy who knows a guy who is chums with Chris Hemsworth. I think they called him tonight on my behalf.
The campaign and the power of social media seemed to pay off, because before long, Alexander added another update explaining Disney had been in touch with him directly.
He wrote:
We did it Reddit! Disney have reached out and we are discussing options. I cried when I read their email. It’s everything I hoped for and I owe it to all of you.
Hopefully Alexander’s wish will come true!
If you have a story you want to tell, send it to stories@unilad.co.uk.
Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.