Game On! Local Gamers Join Together in a New Way to Raise Funds for Children

Gamers joined the cause from a variety of locations.  Here, Erik Polak and two young visitors participate in Extra Life from Thompson Farm in Conway.

Play games, heal kids.  That’s the motto for the Extra Life program.  Sounds too good to be true, right?

Well, it’s not.

Since 2008, the video gaming community has joined forces with Children’s Miracle Network through a program called Extra Life to support 170 Children’s Hospitals throughout the nation.  Extra Life Participants fundraise year-round, gathering sponsors before a single day of non-stop gaming.

It’s kind of like a walkathon… but without the walking.

Now you’re probably thinking: this sounds like fun, but can videogames really raise that much money?

The answer is YES.

This year, 32 local gamers participated in Extra Life to raise money for McLeod Children’s Hospital.  They set their sights higher than ever before…

In August, the gamers toured McLeod Children’s Hospital to learn firsthand how their efforts could impact children.  They learned of the need to equip every room in the Children’s Hospital with iPads, which would educate children and their families about their illnesses and any procedures they may need, provide diversion therapy, and play restful sounds to help them sleep at night.

The gamers set an ambitious goal to raise $45,000.

When the Game Day finally arrived, the gamers were motivated.  They greatly exceeded expectations by raising over $72,000.

To date, Extra Life has raised nearly $145,000 for McLeod Children’s Hospital.  Game Day for 2019 is set for Saturday, November 2nd.  You can join us by visiting www.Extra-Life.org.  When it comes to saving and improving the lives of our youngest patients, as the gamers will tell you, "This Game is Not Over!”