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

Why do I extra Life?

 From my tweet:
https://twitter.com/FJZB2/

Donating platelets as I do every 2 weeks to help out those that I can. 1 hour a week isn’t much to give up. My high count and they only last a week since they can’t get refrigerated.  This is why I #ExtraLife also. To help those in need because I can. @ExtraLife4Kids #FortheKids

Here's how it works

• Extra Life is a fundraising and gaming marathon to support Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

• I'm joining thousands of gamers and will be dedicating a day to play games and get donations from friends like YOU!

• 100% of the donations go to my local children's hospital. TOGETHER we will make a difference for sick kids!

Your donation is tax-deductible and will make miracles happen for families who desperately need them. You can click the "Donate" button at the top of this page to make a safe and easy online donation. 

This information below is provided straight from the Nicklaus Children's Hospital website at https://nicklauschildrens.childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org/

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital located in Miami, FL

Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children's Hospital - part of Nicklaus Children's Health System - is South Florida's only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with more than 740 attending physicians and over 220 pediatric subspecialists. The 289-bed hospital is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine with several specialty programs ranked among the best in the nation in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017-18 by U.S. News & World Report. The hospital is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States and has been designated an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession's most prestigious institutional honor. For more information, please visit  https://www.nicklauschildrens.org/home.

40% EQUIPMENT, 60% EDUCATION
IN 2017, NICKLAUS CHILDREN’S
HOSPITAL RAISED: $2,853,567 Total
EQUIPMENT: $1,141,427
EDUCATION: $1,715,140

HOW YOUR DOLLAR MAKES MIRACLES AT CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS

Education

For Kids Like Astry

After Astry was born, her parents noticed that she wasn't progressing as babies typically do, with a lot of muscle weakness. Her pediatrician recommended a neurologist, so they brought her to Nicklaus Children's Hospital, where they found out that Astry has cerebral palsy. When the doctor explained what they could expect, they were overcome.

Funds help pediatric patients being treated for every injury and illness imaginable. Donations made to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals are unrestricted and can fund training programs to educate staff, breastfeeding techniques and strategies for premature babies and safety clinics that teach things like car seat safety. Donations also fund resource centers to help patients and families learn about conditions and illnesses and programs that help patients and families deal with diagnoses and other parts of recovery.

Equipment

For Kids Like Lacy

When Lacy was just 2, a CAT scan revealed a tumor in her brain, occupying most of the lower part of her head. Surgery was just the beginning of her recovery; she went through six months of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. Today, Lacy is cancer free using different therapies to become stronger every day.

EQUIPMENT FOR KIDS LIKE ANDREW
Andrew was born with chronic lung disease and has had to live his entire life
connected to a ventilator. He’s been receiving treatment at Nicklaus Children’s
Hospital since he was 3 months old, and has attended VACC Camp (Ventilation
Assisted Children’s Center Camp), a week-long camp free of charge for patients like him where he can participate in fun activities.

EQUIPMENT FOR KIDS LIKE MAYA
Maya visited the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Brain Institute after suffering seizures,
where doctors tried several treatment plans. When the seizures proved to be
resistant to medication, Maya’s doctor tried a Stereo EEG test; she was the first
patient there to have the test done, and after doctors removed the part of the brain
where seizures started, is finally seizure-free.

EQUIPMENT FOR KIDS LIKE GRACIE
Gracie was diagnosed with Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect before
birth. Her family is so grateful for the care they’ve received at Miami Children’s that
they have now becomes advocates in expanding the hospital’s services to other
areas. Almost two years old now, Gracie is walking, beginning to talk and ready to
take the world in her hands.

EQUIPMENT FOR KIDS LIKE CONNOR
Connor started coding directly after birth. He was flown to Miami right away by
LifeFlight® and went through treatments to get his lungs to work, finally putting him
on ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). It would be three weeks his
mom could hold him and two months spent in the hospital, but one year later, he’s
as healthy as can be.

EQUIPMENT FOR KIDS LIKE RALPHIE
Just a day after being born, Ralphie was rushed to Miami Children’s unable to
breathe on his own. His doctors tried various methods to help him start breathing,
but nothing succeeded. It was at MCH, one of few hospitals in the region at the
time with an ECMO program for pediatric patients, that Ralphie was able to receive
the critical care he needed. The machine functioned as his heart and lungs for 60
hours as he grew stronger. Thanks to the advanced technology offered by our PICU
team, today Ralphie is a healthy, happy 5-year-old boy.

*SOURCES: INFORMATION FROM THE 2018 CMN HOSPITALS IMPACT SURVEY

For more info on what is a Children's Miracle network hospital, click here"
https://childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org/about-us/