Michigan-bred gaming sensation Tyler "Ninja" Blevins has announced to his huge online following that he's battling skin cancer, specifically melanoma after a routine medical checkup revealed a malignant mole on his foot. Sharing the news on social media platform X, the 32-year-old Twitch megastar, who has amassed 19 million followers, explained that his dermatologist discovered the cancerous mole during an annual skin check, reports BBC. Ninja took to the internet, where he has carved an empire out of his gaming skills, to deliver personal news.

Known largely for his mastery of "Fortnite," a game that catapulted him into the echelons of online fame, Ninja's diagnosis came as a shock to his fan base and himself. Initially sharing the developments regarding a suspicious mole removed from the bottom of his foot, Ninja revealed in subsequent updates that a second biopsy was taken after a dark spot appeared nearby. "A few weeks ago I went into a dermatologist for an annual skin/mole check that Jess proactively scheduled for me," Ninja was quoted saying on X. According to a CBS News Detroit report, he continued, "There was a mole on the bottom of my foot that they wanted to remove just to be careful. It came back as melanoma, but they are optimistic that we caught it in the early stages."

Ninja's ongoing situation, while daunting, serves as a stark reminder of the importance of regular health screenings. Using his platform to advocate for health awareness aligns with his past involvement in various social causes, leveraging his influence beyond the confines of digital arenas. Jessica Blevins, Ninja's wife, supported her husband's sentiment in her online posts, stating, "The silver lining in this is that @Ninja has a huge platform that we can raise awareness on," per information obtained by CBS News Detroit.

The Detroit Lions, the team for which Ninja has openly expressed his fandom having grown up watching them, extended their well-wishes online. "Thinking of you @Ninja, get well soon," they said, as captured in a social media post quoted by CBS News Detroit. While news of his diagnosis surely dampens the mood of his fans and supporters, it shines a light on the oft-overlooked dangers that can lurk out of sight, highlighting the critical nature of preventive care. "I’m grateful to have hope in finding this early, but please take this as a PSA to get skin checkups," Ninja told his followers on X as the gaming community and beyond rally around one of their most beloved figures, noted by the Detroit Free Press.