Is Generation Z the most giving generation yet? This story says yes.

Chronic illnesses and long-term hospitals stays have lead a group of teens to use gaming as a way to provide comfort to other children and patients at a local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.  A group of patients, ages 14-19 that are currently receiving treatments from Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Medical Center, and their siblings, are on track to raise over $57,000 through Extra Life, a CMN Hospitals fundraising program within the gaming community, to provide needed equipment and resources for patients.

While in the hospital for their own treatments, the group of teens met regularly to socialize, hang out in the hospitals teen lounge, and play games. Through these interactions with each other, the teens formed the Teen Advisory Board for the hospital, to help focus on the social and physical needs of patients. When they found the hospital had a greater need for assistance with donations to help provide patient care, the teens quickly shifted their focus to help fundraise for the items.

Extra Life was chosen as the fundraising platform because it gave them the online and mobile ability to raise funds while still undergoing treatments at the hospital. The teens used the peer-to-peer platform to raise money, while they played games in the teen lounge.  To date, the teens have raised over $26,000 to purchase a vein illuminator and a Blanektrol, of which the teens have all been benefitted from. They are on track to raise an additional $38,000 this year for new pieces of equipment the hospital needs to help care for local kids.

“It is remarkable to see a group of patients who have every right to focus on themselves choose to focus on how they can improve the lives of others around them,” said John Lauck, president and CEO of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “They are an inspiration to our entire Network as we continue to look for opportunities to save and improve the lives of kids.”

Visit Team McLane Children’s Champions Extra Life page to learn more about their story and donate to their fundraising efforts.

In memory of Teen Advisory Board members  Christien Quiles and Jonathan Guillen– We are forever inspired.