More than 250 gamers took over the Ice Palace at West Edmonton Mall this weekend for a 24-hour video game marathon in support of children’s health.
Extra Life Edmonton kicked off its fifth annual 24-hour video game marathon at noon Saturday. The event raises funds for the Stollery Children’s Hospital.
“If millions of gamers can build entire new worlds in Minecraft, how hard can it be for us to build a better future in our own communities?” Ramin Ostad, vice president of Extra Life Edmonton, asked.
“Extra Life allows local gamers to help children who, due to illness or other chronic conditions, don’t have the luxury of gaming with friends.”
As a child, Ostad was a Stollery child himself, going in and out of hospital with a heart condition. He said that, and the fact he’s a gamer, is what spurred him to put this event together five years ago.
People across Alberta took part in similar gaming marathons this weekend in support of the Stollery, including the president and CEO of the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation.
“I can tell you I’ve done this before. It’s exhausting,” Mike House said with a laugh. But he came prepared.
“I’m not driving home at the end of this. I’ve got my fruits and vegetables,” he said. “It’s not about all the sugar you eat, it’s about pacing yourself.”
With this weekend marking the end of Daylight Saving Time, the one-hour time change actually tacked on another 60 minutes of game play, as the event wrapped up at noon Sunday. But to House, every minute is worth it.
“A lot of times these kids that we take care of at the Stollery, they’re the sickest kids across western Canada,” he said. “In Ramin’s case, he had heart surgery and you see he’s a mature young man now and he’s a contributing member to society. But if we didn’t raise money to create excellence at the hospital, who knows where Ramin’s situation might be.”
Last year, Extra Life surpassed its $50,000 goal by nearly $10,000. This year, the group hoped to raise $60,000 in support of research, equipment and family-based care at the Stollery. By Sunday afternoon, the group had raised more than $80,000.