IT SEEMS as though in the modern era, you can achieve almost anything through the internet.
Families can be reunited with loved ones, collectors can find hidden treasures and fans can meet their idols.
For Mount Gambier resident Ryan Hinshelwood, the power of the internet has brought him one step closer to his “Endgame”.
The 33-year-old – who goes by the screen name alexander_q – lives with Fanconi anemia, a rare genetic disorder that deteriorates bone marrow and almost guarantees contraction of cancers or a blood disorder.
Most often diagnosed in children, Mr Hinshelwood did not know he had the disease until late last year which followed diagnosis of mouth cancer in 2017 and liver cancer in 2018.
This came after losing his sister to leukaemia three years ago, not knowing she too was living with Fanconi anemia.
An avid Marvel Comics fan, Mr Hinshelwood was looking forward to the April release of Avengers: Endgame – the fourth instalment in the Avengers franchise.
But given the severity of his disease and the belief he would not make it to see the premiere, Mr Hinshelwood enlisted the help of the online community Reddit to make his dying wish a reality.
His Reddit post, titled Dying Before April: My Endgame, outlined his genetic disease and his desire to know how the movie series ended.
“Liver cancer, mouth cancer, bone marrow failure. Will probably be dead before April. I have 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.”
When Mr Hinshelwood made the post, he had hoped to be given an email of someone who could help or maybe a phone number, but the response exceeded all expectations.
Soon more than 3500 comments were made on his post, with people offering to help make his wish come true.
This triggered the hashtag #avengers4alexander which solidified the online campaign to grant his dying wish.
“I woke up to all of these comments and messages – it was everywhere,” Mr Hinshelwood said.
“There were people working on the movie who offered to call me and tell me what happens, I had people offering to take me to the world premiere if I lived that long.
“I tried to keep up with all of the comments and reply to everyone but it just blew up.”
The campaign started trending on Twitter with people tweeting Marvel Studios, Disney, the movie’s main cast and even the directors.
“My partner Dee brought me in a coffee and was reading all of these comments and tweets to me,” Ryan said.
“She even showed me an article written about me in Chinese and a YouTube video that someone had made just for me.
“I was completely overwhelmed by the support that I had received already.”
Mr Hinshelwood said his affinity for the Avengers series started when he was a child in his parent’s video game and trading card store.
“When I was young I did not have much access to any comics but due to my parents store, I learnt a lot about the Marvel universe from the back of trading cards,” he said.
“From there I guess I was hooked – I kept up with all of the movies as they came out and would spend endless hours analysing them with my friends.
“I just could not picture dying without knowing how this chapter ends – Endgame is like the culmination of the three previous films.
“I know there will probably be Avengers movies for years to come, but knowing how this part finished was something I had to do.”
After a few short days, Mr Hinshelwood’s dream was realised, with executives from Disney contacting him to confirm they can grant his wish.
In an update to his original post, Mr Hinshelwood announced the happy news to those following his story.
“Disney 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.”
Although he knows this triumph comes due to his terminal prognosis, Mr Hinshelwood was proud of his achievement for not only gaining the opportunity to see the highly anticipated film, but also shining light on the rare disease.
“I had people offering me their money or their organs to try and cure me,” he said.
“But I knew the thing that was most important was to raise awareness for Fanconi anemia.
“I asked those who were able to donate to research for my disease so it could maybe prolong the life of someone else battling the disease.”
Although the general public tend to shy away from taboo topics like mortality, Mr Hinshelwood said discussing his disease with the online community had been a cathartic experience.
“It’s hard when you’re dying because people do not necessarily want to talk about it,” he said.
“But it’s basically the biggest thing going on in my life, so when people avoid the topic it’s like I cannot talk about myself.
“I understand it hurts those around me to talk about my impending death, but death is the reality of life so I think it’s important to address it.
“I think the online community are more open about it with me because they’re not attached to my situation.
“They ask all of the grim, gory and interesting questions and it kind of feels great to open up and talk about it – I’m quite grateful for that support.”
Although his friends on Reddit have been the key to granting his final wish, Mr Hinshelwood said he would not have lived to make the post without the support of his loved ones.
“I would not have made it as far as I have without everyone around me,” he said.
“Dee has been amazing since my first diagnosis – she’s been there for me through everything.
“I know although I am the one with Fanconi anemia, it does not just affect me but those around me as well – my friends and family have been my rocks, I would not still be here without them.
“Their strength through this time has kept me going every day.”
Visit www.fanconi.org/donate to donate to the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund.
