I’m a gamer.
If someone were to ask me, “what are the things that help define Richard as a person?” Gaming and being ‘a gamer’ would be at the top of that list. I love everything that is gaming. Whether it’s video, tabletop or otherwise, I enjoy playing games, how they can bring people together, in a shared experience and allow us to come together.
And while just gaming for gaming sake is more than proper, there is something that can combine your love of gaming with a more than worthwhile mission of healing sick children all over America. I’m talking about Extra Life. If you’re familiar with Extra-Life already, likelihood is, you didn’t even bother opening this post to begin with. You know what EL is, it’s mission and how it works.
But if you’re not familiar, read on to learn how you can help create better outcomes for the children of your local Children’s Miracle Network hospital.
Extra Life began in 2008 as a way of honoring a young lady named Victoria Enmon. Tori’s battle against acute lymphoblastic leukemia inspired the Sarcastic Gamer Community in a way that is difficult to describe. Members sent in video games and bought gifts to keep Tori’s spirits up despite numerous hospital stays and three bouts with the deadly disease. Below is her story per the Extra-Life website:
After Victoria’s battle with leukemia had ended, the work of Extra-Life was just beginning. In the 13 years since it began with its mission of help kids wherever they might live, Extra-Life has become a force in helping improve the lives of sick children everywhere.
So how does it work? Simple.
When you sign up to play games for the children, you won’t just be raising money for kids. You’ll be supporting LOCAL kids and their families. Kids right in your own backyard.
All the money you raise for Extra Life will go directly to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital of your choice.
Do you want to have more fun than you can handle while helping some of the bravest (and smallest) warriors in your community? All you have to do is:
- Register and create your personal fundraising page.
- Try to get four friends or family members to sponsor you at $1 per hour ($24 each).
- Sit on your rear end and play all types of games for 24 hours. We will be putting in our game play on Saturday, October 25th, beginning at 8 a.m.
I also encourage you to learn more about your local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital and to meet some of the kids we’ll be working to help.
My wife is Senior Development Officer at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Extra-Life is one of her programs that she overseas. Since she has been put in charge of this program at ACH, it has grown by quite a large percentage and engagement is up with all of the Extra-Life gamers.
Every year, my wife and I participate in Game Day, Extra-Life’s 24 hour gaming fundraising event that we use to try and help raise money. Keep in mind, as an Extra-Life’er, you are able (and encouraged) to raise money year-round. And most gamers usually do just that. Hosting once a month gaming events to help bolster their fundraising numbers.
Ever if you don’t think what you could raise would be significant, every bit counts. As clichéd as that sounds.
Did i mention you can win awesome swag like the dice set below. Extra-Life has all kinds of great swag for you to earn as you climb the donation ladder. So you’re gaming, raising funds to help kids AND getting sweet stuff along with it all.
So what do you say? How about continuing to do the thing you love, all the while doing it for an amazing cause? In a world where things might seem a bit cynical and quite negative, isn’t it time to do something that replenishes your belief in humanity and its ability to do something in service of something beyond itself? A greater good.
I think so. That’s why i’ll continue to try be a better Extra-Life ambassador and spread the message of healing sick kids.
As always, leave a comment with your thoughts. Until next time, LLAP!
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