LETTER: Gaming marathon raises money for CHEO

Video games are a favourite and growing pastime for young and old alike. I’ve personally been a gamer for over 35 years now and I can’t imagine my free time without them. But what if gamers could turn our hobby into something that’s not just fun but that also does good for sick kids around the world? You may not be familiar with Extra Life but it’s exactly that!

Extra Life is yearly marathon where players from around the world commit to playing games of all kinds—video games, card games, board games, whatever–for 24 hours non-stop to raise money for their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Since its creation in 2008, it’s raised over $14 million for children’s hospitals in the US and Canada and over $100,000 for CHEO, $40,000 in the last year alone!

On Saturday, November 7, I’ll be doing Extra Life for the 5th straight year, along with one of my best friends and a bunch of local gamers from the newly formed Ottawa Guild. Many of us will be live streaming game day for the world to watch as well. There are few kids in Ottawa that have not been touched by CHEO in some way.

Personally, I had a severe bike accident in my youth and were it not for their amazing care, I’m not sure I’d be here today. The guild had the honour of meeting this year’s CHEO Champion Devon Payette, a very special young man who has been through Hell but has always had CHEO at his back. Video games have been his escape and one of the things that’s kept him happy and upbeat during his treatment. He was so excited to meet the guild and be as big a part of the event as he could be this year. Kids like them are why we play for Extra Life.

If my fellow Stittsvillians have some funds to spare for this great cause, we welcome your support. It doesn’t matter if its $5 or $500, every little bit helps. You can make a secure, tax deductible donation online to either my campaign or another member of the Ottawa guild. There is also a change jar for my campaign at Ivan’s European Deli if you prefer the old fashioned way. Every cent of your donation will go to CHEO. If you visit my page, you can also see a video pitch where I talk about the unique spin I’m bringing to my campaign this year.

The Stittsville community a wonderful and always up for supporting a great cause. Thank you all from both myself and everyone at CHEO! We’re going to smash last year’s fundraising total and we can’t do it without you! We hope to see you on Saturday the 7th!

Gerry Corcoran
Stittsville

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