24 hours of gaming to help heal kids

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: EXTRA LIFE / MICHAEL KINNEY (CMN HOSPITALS)
Extra Life is a great event that brings together gamers from across North America to raise money for local Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Londoners can register to play on Nov. 7 and raise money to help London's Children Miracle Foundation.

In case anyone needs an excuse to pack up the textbooks and pull out the PS4, here is a great one. On Nov. 7 gamers from all over the US and Canada will pick up their controllers to raise money for sick and injured kids in support of Extra Life.

London is now home to a guild of the popular charity event.

Extra Lifers raise money through pledges totalling at least $24 ($1 for every hour) for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Then gamers unite to participate in 24 hours of gaming fun.

Extra Life started as a US event and Trevor Brimson, London’s guild president, hopes to build momentum for the event in Canada.

Jeromy Adams started Extra Life in 2008, to raise money for his friend, Victoria Enmon, who was battling lymphoblastic leukemia. In 2008 to 2009, Extra Life raised $302,000, all of which went to the Texas Miracle Network Hospital that took care of Enmon.

The campaign quickly gained national recognition, which led Adams to open Extra Life up to all of North America.

Extra Life now benefits all of the 170 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in the US and Canada. Just last year, there was over $4 million raised between the US and Canada.

Extra Life allows you to support any local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital that you choose. Donations are tax deductible and 100 per cent of the proceeds go directly to the hospitals.

Londoners have an opportunity to join a cause that will help the local community.

By choosing London as their hospital of choice when they register, the money they raise will go to Children’s Health Foundation of London. That means all of the funds raised go to expenses not covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan.

Brimson believes in this event because he wants to “help ensure that this great cause can continue to help people like my daughters.”

Having daughters who have spent time in London’s hospital since their birth, Brimson understands the need for any program that can help ease the burden carried by families of sick kids.

All gamers, whether amateur or expert, are encouraged to participate. Any game in any form is accepted. This includes video games, computer games, board games, or even phone apps.

Gamers can chose to participate in an online stream or gather some friends and game from the comforts of home. As stated on Extra Life’s website, “How and when they play is up to the gamer.”

Brimson notes that while game day is Nov. 7, they are hoping to make Extra Life an all year event, with participants being urged to fundraise and game all year.

To register for the event visit Extra Life’s website; ask friends and family to pledge money for the cause and have fun gaming.

With an ambitious goal of raising $1.5 million dollars across Canada, Brimson is encouraging every one to participate.

“Donate to this great cause. Even if you’re not a gamer the cause itself [helping sick kids] is one that I think everyone can get behind.”

If you would like to help support a local participant then you can do so by visiting Extra Life’s website and search Brimson’s name.

Anyone young or old can have fun raising money and playing games for this great cause.

As Extra Life’s slogan reads, “Be a Hero. Play games, Heal kids”.