Wednesday, September 21, 2011

24 Hours Game Marathon


Children's Miracle Network Hospitals to Launch 24-Hour Video Game Marathon to Raise Funds for Local Children's Hospitals
Extra Life marathon inspired by 15-year-old Victoria Enmon, a young gamer who passed away from leukemia

SALT LAKE CITY (Sept. 19, 2011) - Children's Miracle Network Hospitals® (CMNHospitals.org), a charity that raises funds for 170 children's hospitals across North America, will launch its 24-hour video game fundraising marathon called Extra Life on Saturday, Oct. 15, at 8 a.m. local time. The Extra Life Marathon was created to honor the late Victoria (Tori) Enmon, a 15-year-old girl who played video games during her battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Each Extra Life participant is asked to raise money by recruiting at least four sponsors to give a minimum of $1 for each hour of the marathon. This equates to just $24 per sponsor. Individuals can play any game they choose - including those on their phone, computer or even board games - and can participate in the marathon from their own homes or create or join groups and play from any location of their choosing. Each donation stays in the community where it was given to benefit the local Children's Miracle Network Hospital. Individuals can sign up to participate and can donate to the cause at www.extra-life.org.

"As the largest children's hospital charity, treating one in nine kids in North America, we have the opportunity to truly make a difference through life-changing fundraisers like Extra Life," said John Lauck, president and CEO of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. "Extra Life carries on Tori's legacy, as it inspires individuals to join together to save the lives of children in our local communities."  

Gamers are encouraged to take breaks throughout the marathon and to implement any applicable safety measures. If an individual is unable to play the full 24 hours on Oct. 15, he or she can make up the time later or even play before the official launch.
Gamers have an additional opportunity to participate in the cause. Xbox 360 will host its Gaming and Giving for Good (G3) Xbox Live charity on Saturday, Oct. 1, to benefit Extra Life. G3 will harness the power of millions of members on Xbox LIVE, the online entertainment network for Xbox 360. As part of the event, all participants who register at Xbox.com/g3 will receive a free Xbox LIVE Gold Membership for the weekend to play their favorite games. Xbox LIVE Gold allows users to play games online with friends and family and receive exclusive discounts on Xbox LIVE content.
For more information or to participate in the Extra Life cause, visit www.extra-life.org or www.CMNHospitals.org.

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About Extra Life
Extra Life (http://www.extra-life.org) was founded in 2008 by Jeromy Adams, known as "Sarcastic Gamer" (www.sarcasticgamer.com) in the video gaming community. The Sarcastic Gamer Community included participation from Victoria (Tori) Enmon, a 15-year-old girl, who was not only passionate about video gaming but was using this hobby to give her strength to fight three bouts of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Tori's battle inspired the Sarcastic Gamer Community to send her video games and gifts to keep up her spirits despite numerous hospital stays. Following Tori's passing later that year, an annual Extra Life Marathon was launched and is now an official Children's Miracle Network Hospitals campaign to raise money for local children's hospitals to help save the lives of other children.

About Children's Miracle Network Hospitals
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds for 170 children's hospitals across the United States and Canada, which, in turn, use the money where it's needed the most. When a donation is given, it stays in the community, helping local kids. Since 1983, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $4.4 billion, most of it $1 at a time. These donations have gone to support research and training, purchase equipment and pay for uncompensated care, all in support of our mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Learn more at www.CMNHospitals.org.

Media contact:                       
Miranda Barnard
Cell: 801-450-7297


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