Many of you might not know the name James Fudge. He is a dear colleague, friend and a titan of the esports journalism space. He has run the essential publication The Esports Advocate on his own budget since 2022 and has been responsible for publishing some of the biggest stories in the industry and is, by my estimation at least, the best active journalist esports has right now.

Unfortunately, in 2024 James was diagnosed with a tumor in his voice-box that required surgery and a seven week radiation treatment to clear up any potential spread of cancerous cells. During the recovery period from the procedure and subsequent regimen, James suffered an ischemic stroke that sent him straight back to the hospital. After more tests they discovered not only a blockage but a persistent heart defect that would require another surgery to correct and prevent future health problems.

Having been in communication with James during this time he has remained ever the optimist. He has used the post-operative period to make significant life changes. He shared with me how grateful he is not to have suffered any permanent damage from the stroke and to have detected a problem that unchecked could have led to a far worse outcome. He has, of course, continued to work for the esports community through all of this.

Even with an excellent medical insurance package, James has now found himself with significant medical costs, approximately $23,000 and climbing . Like so many in America he is now facing the financial realities of prioritizing health and longevity in a system that puts profit before people. With another potential surgery on the horizon James finds himself currently between a rock and a hard place.

I don’t want James to go bankrupt or The Esports Advocate to close down. He is a vital force in the esports space, a courageous voice during a time when other journalists are leaving or accepting money in exchange for silence on the biggest issues affecting the industry right now. James has kept his work ad free, never behind a paywall, never promoting anything he deemed harmful or inappropriate. I hope that the community will now rally behind someone who really needs our support.

Thank you for your attention and kindness

Richard

Specifically I shall be gathering the money on James behalf, then transferring the money to his bank account once the GoFundMe is completed. From there he will be using the money to settle his medical debts. As GoFundMe recommends we have increased the original target to account for fees involved in accruing and transferring the money. Thanks to everyone who has donated so far.