Why I Extra Life

9 years ago, I remember sitting in the lunchroom at work, chatting with my friend Nicole aka lonejaguar. She mentioned that she was going to do this gaming marathon in November and all the money she raised would go to Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals, specifically Children’s Health Foundation in London, Ontario. I thought, hey that sounds cool and that it would be a fun way to raise money and spend a weekend. Here I am, 8 Extra Life Marathons later and I’ve learned a lot more about Extra Life and Childrens Miracle Network hospitals. I now know that every year, 10 million kids enter CMN hospitals for care and that every day, CMN hospitals treat:

• 935 kids for diabetes
• 925 babies in nicu
• 2 217 kids for cancer
• 2 329 kids for surgery
• 16K with trauma

Over the past fifteen years since Extra Life was founded in memory of a teenaged gamer named Victoria Enmon, Extra Life has had over 50 000 participants and they are some of the coolest and most dedicated people ever – they’ll do anything for a donation! Shave their head? Check. Do a shot of hot sauce? Check. Get a tattoo? Yep! Those Extra Lifers have raised over $100 million for children’s hospitals. So, what does that money do? It helps fund critical treatments or pediatric medical equipment, provide charitable care to those in need and covers specialised care not covered by insurance. That’s something that we here in Canada make take for granted, but our health care doesn’t cover everything or everyone.

So now the really personal reasons behind my continuing support of Extra Life. I am the proud aunt of 2 incredible girls and one fantastic young man. I Extra Life for them. But I also Extra Life for the incredible doctors, nurses and hospital workers that were there when my family needed them. I Extra Life for my youngest brother, who when he was barely a toddler, got very sick. He was in the hospital for what seemed like forever to 11 year old me. I remember being terrified and not understanding what was happening. I just wanted my little brother home. Although they never figured out what was wrong with him, they managed to get him healthy and back home, albeit with a hearty distaste for jello and freezies.

On November 4^th, I will once again Extra Life for all the Shanes of the world and the folks that fight for them. There will be shenanigans and laughs, so tune in to twitch.tv/scaredysherri to watch as I play games and do ridiculous things to myself. You can donate at here- every dollar helps to support Extra Life’s mission: Change Kids’ Health, Change the Future. If you can't donate, consider supporting in other ways - interacting with social media posts go a long way! 

THANK YOU! 

I've pledged to play games and raise funds for kids at my local children's hospital.
 

How It Works

• Now, more than ever, local Children's Miracle Network Hospitals need our help.

• I'm uniting with thousands of gamers to play games and change kids' health to change the future.

• Donations through this page stay at my local children's hospital.

Your donation is tax-deductible and will make miracles happen for families who desperately need them. Simply click the "Donate" button at the top of this page to help.