Gamers Close to Winning Prize Money for Shannon Children's Miracle Network

Video gamers are gearing up to win $40,000 for their local community Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) in the Diablo Extra Life Challenge on Nov. 2.

The challenge, a nationwide event held annually, enables gamers to make money for the CMN by gathering donations from those who wish to sponsor them to play a 25-hour gaming stretch.

“In 2008 Extra Life was founded in memory of Tori Enmon of Orange, Texas. Tori's heroic battle against acute lymphoblastic leukemia has, to date, inspired tens of thousands of Extra Life participants, and hundreds of thousands of donors to stand up for local kids at their Children's Miracle Network Hospital,” states the Extra Life website. 

Extra Life raised more than two million dollars last year for CMN hospitals across the country.

The Concho Valley Children’s Miracle Network at Shannon Medical Center is doing well in the running, $3000 away from winning $40,000.

“They are giving $40,000 to the hospital who raises the most money,” explained Lyndy Stone, Marketing Director for Shannon Medical Center, “and we’re a lot smaller, so they [Diablo] are also giving a prize for the highest per capita.”

This means that a small market hospital like Shannon in the Concho Valley has a good chance to win.

The money is raised by local gamers like Madison Caston, who’s page is on extra-life.org.

Family and friends sponsor the gamers at one dollar per hour at least, a minimum of $25, and all proceeds go towards the local CMN Hospital.

“People can set up their own page and reach out to others,” said Stone, “That money comes back to us, to our support our wishlist items.”

Said wishlist items are what Shannon needs for their Pediatric Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Trauma, Emergency Room, Shannon Pediatric Clinic and any other department that deals in the treatment of children.

The local press release from Shannon Medical Center has some words from the creator of Extra Life on why Extra Life is involved with Children’s Miracle Network.

“’Every year since 2008, the gaming community has increasingly embraced Extra Life as a way to give back locally for the love of gaming,’ says Jeromy ‘Doc’ Adams, Extra Life founder and program director. ‘Gaming companies and media outlets have taken notice of this charged fundraising force, and we’re gearing up to have our best fundraising year yet! Local gamers are the reason this program has taken off and raised millions for hospitals needing help.’”

If you want to help out by gaming, you can join the Shannon Medical Center team, or create your own page at extra-life.org.

If you’re not much of a gamer but still want to help, you can find local players who are supporting Shannon and donate to them, or go to the hospital's page.

“If 300 people give 10 bucks we did it,” says Stone.

For more information visit extra-life.org