Local gamers of all levels and from all categories- console, mobile, PC, table top, etc. - are uniting for one cause on Saturday: to save and improve the lives of kids treated at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger. Extra Life, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals) fundraising program, provides game-loving locals a fun way to support Children’s Hospital at Erlanger, the local CMN Hospital.
Participants sign up for the 24-hour gaming marathon and invite friends, family and fans to make a donation to Children’s Hospital at Erlanger.
The official Game Day is Saturday, but participants may complete their 24 hours of play whenever and however they like: all in one day, one hour a day for 24 days, etc. Players may also participate solo or on teams.
Last year’s event raised $6,950 for the hospital and helped fund the now underway construction of the new Children’s Outpatient Center. Funds raised this year will continue to benefit this project which will ultimately service 100,000 children in the region annually. The Children’s Outpatient Center is phase one of the Believe Campaign for a new Children’s Hospital.
“Gamers intuitively transport into other worlds and are experienced problem-solvers,” said John Lauck, president and CEO of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “They passionately answer the call to raise critical funds that help heal kids. Extra Life is making a big impact on children’s hospitals, and individual gamers are making countless miracles happen for local kids and families.”
The virtual marathon is expected to involve 50,000 gamers fundraising for 170 CMN Hospitals across North America. The 2016 event raised more than $1.4 million on Game Day, contributing to the year’s total of $9.6 million. Since its inception in 2008, Extra Life has raised more than $30 million for member hospitals. The secure donations fund the selected hospital’s greatest needs, often including pediatric medical equipment, research, therapy programs and charitable care.
Extra Life partners with some of the largest names in the gaming industry, including Twitch, Rooster Teeth, reddit, Wizards of the Coast, Humble Bundle, ESA Foundation, XSplit and Trion Worlds. While anyone can participate, many expert gamers and broadcasters live-stream their play and earn donations from followers.
Interested participants can register at
Extra-Life.org, select Children’s Hospital at Erlanger as their preferred CMN Hospital, set a fundraising goal and collect donations throughout the year for kids in need.