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Over 50,000 Gamers Play to Heal Kids on Extra Life Game Day, Nov. 4

Gamers of all levels and from all categories — console, mobile, PC, tabletop, etc. — are uniting for one cause on Saturday, November 4: to save and improve the lives of local kids. Extra Life, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals) fundraising program, helps participants use their love of gaming to impact pediatric patients in their own community.

Participants sign up for the 24-hour gaming marathon and invite friends, family and fans to donate to his or her local CMN Hospital. Last year’s 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 170 member hospitals across North America. The secure donations fund the selected hospital’s greatest needs, often including pediatric medical equipment, research, therapy programs and charitable care.

“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.”

While anyone can participate, many content creators live-stream their play and earn donations from followers. Extra Life also 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.

Interested participants can register at Extra-Life.org, select their local or preferred CMN Hospital, set a fundraising goal and collect donations throughout the year for kids in need. Game Day is Nov. 4, but participants may complete their 24 hours of play however they like — all in one day, one hour a day for 24 days, etc. Participants are also eligible to unlock a $30,000 prize for their member hospital. Find details at www.extra-life.org/challenge. Learn more about the local CMN Hospital and how donations are saving kids’ lives at CMNHospitals.org.