Western NY Man Legally Changes His Name To Darth Vader

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Darth Vader is a tattooed 43-year-old former Marine who owns a gym and is raising funds online for a bone marrow transplant.

A western New York man legally changed his name last year to match the villain in the "Star Wars'' films, the Democrat and Chronicle of Rochester reported.

The former Eric Welch of Canandaigua said he grew up in a series of foster homes and didn't have any strong family ties to his name.

"I wanted to do something of my own," he told the newspaper. " ... I wanted a separation from my self and my past."I wanted a separation from my self and my past."

The "Star Wars" fan said he chose Darth Vader for his new name because the movie character carries an aura of leadership and toughness.

The fitness trainer tests his own toughness by competing in half-marathons and endurance events. He was diagnosed with leukemia in 2002 and so far has raised $15,000 on gofundme.com for a bone marrow transplant.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)