This is very hard to write, but should be an example of the very best of what makes us a community of gamers.

I am a proud of member of the website www.shoryuken.com. A leading website of the fighting game community, the EVO tournament, and especially the Street Fighter scene. Recently this community lost a long time, and beloved member. His name was Ricardo "Dasrik" LaFaurie. He was a good guy, and only lived to 31 years of age. He was like many of us at Shoryuken. Stubborn, loved to argue, but always will be there if anyone needed any help. He supported many member in the forum with advice, setting up events, or introducing them to the fighting game scene. He was well liked, and even those who argued with him constantly always had respect for him.

Sadly he was also someone who fought many illnesses. He even had to seek dialysis treatment at the later point in his life. He still was able to contribute to the community he loved so much. In his passing it is apparent that the community loved him back. Many of us including myself never met Dasrik. Only through message board posts. The announcement of his death shook everyone in the community. Then a board who once was a den of arguments, and braggarts changed.

A thread announcing Dasrik death was posted on one of the most used portions of the forum. A wave of people posted their condolences. At one point Dasrik brother who is a member posted the story of his death in detail. That is when something wonderful happened. A regular poster named "NAMMMMMM" who knew Dasrik personally posted a small donation thread for the family. Ensuring that 100% of the funds will be donated to Dasrik's family members began donating money. Everyone expectations were low at first. Maybe a couple hundred dollars would be raised for funeral expenses.

The donations did not stop. Members from other sites began to donate, long time members donated, young members donated. We raised over a $1000 for Dasrik's family at that time. It did not stop. More people came out to show support for his family. It was coming in at a amazing speed.

Then it happened. A anonymous donor gave $2000 toward the fund. This was something Dasrik's Brother, and NAMMMMMM could not believe. We raised over $3000 so far. It didn't stop.

A raffle began for a special edition MadCatz PS3 Arcade stick.

If you wish to participate in the memorial raffle here is the information.

This is the RIP Thread for Dasrik:

This is the original donation thread: