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Extra Life Player Spotlight

9 years of Game Days, John is a local veteran gamer, who has been involved with Extra Life since the very beginning. For John, it started as a fun reason for him and his fellow college buddies to play games for 24 hours. Back then, John and his friends would gather together with their video gaming systems and TV’s, and would take requests from donors to raise money via live feeds.

Growing up with Extra Life

Over the years, Extra Life has grown into more than just a fun way to game with friends. John started to become personally attached to the cause, which led him to create an actual team, 8-Bit Nation that continues to grow each year. In 2019 John reach new heights raising $1,001, which was a personal best for him. But what makes Extra Life so special isn’t just the money that is raised; it is the experience in itself. John says, this past year was his favorite year because his two young nephews were able to be a part of the fun of friends playing games together while helping other kids. John’s favorite games to play while helping kids and raising funds, are the games he grew up with, including Super Mario Bros and The Legend of Zelda.

Extra Life’s impact on John’s life

For John, Game Day has gone beyond just the gaming experience, to him, it’s a wonderful opportunity to give back to kids, including his own son, four month old, Carter, who was diagnosed with a heart condition this past December and is now being treated at a local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. “Extra Life has given me an opportunity all these years, to give back to the kids through the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital’s. Like my son Carter, they are the future and we will stand by them in whatever they endure because, we fight together!”