Extra Life is an amazing charity that was created in 2008 in Orange, TX to honor a young girl by the name Victoria. She was stuck in the hospital fighting cancer and one of the hospital employees got the idea to do something that would impact the children that are stuck in the hospital and lift their spirits. They began raising money through gaming, mostly video games that ended up forming the Extra Life charity. The funds that were raised were then used to purchase game systems that children that were in the hospital could use. Unfortunately, Victoria ended up passing away from her illness in 2008. Her short life, however, has made such an impact in all Extra Life gamers around the world. She is remembered annually in the platinum fundraising t-shirts where some where on the shirt her name appears.
In 2010, Extra Life charity joined forces with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH). This addition helped bring more knowledge about Extra Life to more people. Through this partnership, Extra Life can be found in over 170 hospitals that are recognized as CMNH. Each hospital has a guild that represents Extra Life. West Virginia only has one recognized CMNH which is WVU Medicine Children's Hospital located within Ruby Memorial Hospital, located in Morgantown, WV. Their hospital is currently working on a brand new tower for the Children's Hospital that will consist of over 140 patient beds. This new hospital is slated to be completed by late summer of 2020.
Extra Life unites thousands of gamers around the world to play games in support of their local Children's Miracle Network Hospital. Since its inception in 2008, Extra Life has raised over $50 million USD for sick and injured kids. Sign up today and dedicate a day of play for kids in your community!
Victoria's Story