ESA Foundation Joins Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals for Video Game Marathon

Thousands of Players to Participate in Video Game Charity Event

WASHINGTON, DC – The Entertainment Software Association Foundation (ESAF) today announced a new partnership with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals) to raise money for nonprofit children’s hospitals across North America.

The organizations are collaborating on a nationwide fundraiser called Extra Life, a 24-hour video game marathon. ESAF and CMN Hospitals are encouraging players to participate in the October 20 event as individuals or on teams and to ask sponsors to contribute funds that will support a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital of their choice.

Extra Life was established in 2008, and has brought together thousands of gamers and raised more than $2 million. The funds help to provide life-saving treatment, medical equipment, research and charitable care.

“The passion and commitment of video game players to raise money for our member children’s hospitals has made a tremendous difference for thousands of kids,” said John Lauck, president and CEO of CMN Hospitals. “We’re excited for this year’s Extra Life marathon, and thrilled to have the ESA Foundation and the video game industry’s support for this important event.”

ESAF, which serves as the American computer and video game industry’s philanthropic arm, works to provide opportunities that make a difference in the lives of America’s youth. ESAF will collaborate with leading video game companies and leverage social media to invite thousands of players across the United States to join the fundraiser.

“Video games can entertain, educate, and heal. It is a natural extension then that we utilize this remarkable medium to raise funds and awareness for America’s network of children’s hospitals,” said Jenny Lai, vice president of ESAF. “We are proud to be a part of this collective effort to advance medical research.”

For more information about Extra Life and to register, visit www.extra-life.org or visit http://videogamevoters.org/pages/extra_life_registration.

About ESA Foundation
The ESA Foundation was created by the American entertainment software industry to provide opportunities that can make a difference in the lives of America’s youth. The Foundation is fully supported by proceeds from its limited edition charity game pack’s sales and “Nite to Unite for Kids,” its annual fundraiser, which has raised more than $12 million in the last 14 years. For more information about the ESA Foundation, please visit http://www.esafoundation.org/, or on Twitter: @ESA_Foundation

About Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals raises funds for 170 top and nonprofit 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 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 the mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Learn more at CMNHospitals.org.