Extra Life Game Day on Nov. 5 to Raise Money for James and Connie Maynard Children's Hospital at Vidant Medical Center | Eastern NC Now

Press Release:

    GREENVILLE, NC     Local gamers of all levels and from all categories - console, mobile, PC, table-top, etc. - are uniting for one cause on Saturday, Nov. 5: to save and improve the lives of kids treated at James and Connie Maynard Children's Hospital. Extra Life, a Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals) fundraising program, provides game-loving locals a fun way to support Maynard Children's Hospital, the local CMN Hospital. Anyone wishing to donate directly to James and Connie Maynard Children's Hospital in support of Extra Life Game Day can go to http://www.extra-life.org/participant/maynardsgamers.

    Participants sign up for the 24-hour gaming marathon and invite friends, family and fans to make a donation to Maynard Children's Hospital. The official Game Day is Nov. 5, but participants may complete their 24 hours of play whenever and however they like: all in one day, one hour a day for 24 days, etc. Players may also participate solo or on teams.

    Last year's events raised more than $7,000 for the hospital, and the 2016 fundraising efforts have already surpassed that amount by raising more than $8,000 to date. 100 percent of the funds raised locally by CMN Hospitals goes to support programs and services at Maynard Children's Hospital. One example of how these dollars are spent is through the purchase of a new, dedicated specialized children's transport truck that is outfitted and designed to care for infants and children during their journey to the hospital.

    "Extra Life has introduced us to a new donor base who have a passion for giving back," said Rhonda James, director, CMN Hospitals. "As one of the fastest growing programs nationally, Extra Life has the potential to make a tremendous impact on our children's hospital, and individual gamers are helping make countless miracles happen for local kids and families."

    This virtual marathon is expected to involve 65,000 gamers fundraising for 170 CMN Hospitals across North America. In 2015, Extra Life raised more than $1 million on Game Day, contributing to the year's total of $8.3 million. Since its inception in 2008, Extra Life has raised more than $22 million for member hospitals.

    Interested participants can register at Extra-Life.org, select James and Connie Maynard Children's Hospital as their preferred CMN Hospital, set a fundraising goal and collect donations throughout the year for kids in need. Learn more about the local CMN Hospital and how donations are saving kids' lives at CMNHospitals.org.

• Contact: Beth Anne Atkins
•     beth.atkins@vidanthealth.com