$55K Raised Through Extra Life Game Week
Extra Life Game Week—a weeklong celebration of gaming held November 9–16—surpassed its $30,000 goal by raising $55,782.97 to support kids and families at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital. Throughout the week, local game stores, university clubs, and individual gamers hosted play sessions, tournaments, and fundraising events that brought the gaming community together for children’s health.
The week kicked off on Sunday, November 9, with a Game Week celebration featuring Retro Mobile Arcade and family-friendly activities. During the kick-off, the following awards were presented to recognize outstanding Extra Lifers for their commitment and year-round support:
- Outstanding Volunteers: Pixie and Zack Phoenix
- Team of the Year: NerdFest
- Rising Star: Josh Gray
- Excellence in Gaming: Taylor Gray
Immediately following the event, the Penn State College of Medicine Game Club held its first official Game Week fundraiser with a goal of $5,000 for Children’s Miracle Network. With friendly competitions like Mario Kart with Miracle Child Gannon and hours of gameplay, the club exceeded expectations, raising more than $8,000.
Longtime participant Chris O’Mealy, an eight-year Extra Lifer who completes solo gaming and 24-hour streaming challenges, shared why he participates:
“Game Week combines my two passions—helping people in need and playing video games. I already play a lot, and the chance to do that while helping sick children was the easiest decision I ever made. Every single dollar counts.”
“Game Week is a chance for everyone—from casual players to competitive gamers—to get involved, have fun, and give back,” said Katie Anderson, director of Children’s Miracle Network. “Dollars stay local, stores saw record crowds, and many players discovered philanthropy for the first time. It was inspiring to watch the community come together doing what they love.”
Funds raised through Game Week will support life-saving equipment, vital patient programs, and innovative research, ensuring every child receives the best possible care.
This year’s success was boosted by sponsors The Hershey Company and Mystical Meats, along with Power Hours that doubled donations. Curiouser Creative donated handcrafted prize dice awarded during a Dungeons & Dragons One Shots tournament. Numerous game stores and university clubs across the region participated.
Miracle Families visited several in-store events throughout the week to share how donor support shaped their medical journeys, including Kenny’s family. When Kenny was born, he suddenly turned blue and struggled to breathe. He was rushed to Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital, where doctors diagnosed Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Within days, he underwent a heart catheterization and, one week later, open-heart surgery. Since then, he has had three heart surgeries and several catheterizations. During recovery, Child Life specialists helped Kenny and his sister feel like kids again—even in the hospital.
Today, Kenny is thriving. He still has regular check-ups but enjoys Marvel movies, board games with his family, and even attended Camp LionHeart, a Children’s Miracle Network-funded summer camp for kids with heart conditions—a perfect connection to the spirit of Game Week.
Thank you to the following local game stores and university clubs for their participation:
- UrTurn Games & Gifts, Palmyra
- Gather Your Party Games, Carlisle
- Blue Moon Games, Lemoyne
- The Dice Goblin, Mount Joy
- The Nerd Place, Palmyra
- Lazarus Games, Harrisburg
- The Adventures Hollow, Lebanon
- Lebanon Valley College
- Penn State College of Medicine