By Jeromy Corrigan

Extra Life

Gaming for a good cause

Nov 3, 2019 | 1:36 PM

People of all ages play video games. Some are competitive, some use it as a way to relax, and some use it as a way to get out a little aggression.

However, one Prince George resident has been playing the games he loves the past few weeks for a completely different reason.

“Extra Life is a fundraiser generally helped and put together by people who play video games,” shared local content creator James Dean Boutilier.

“It started 2008 in honour of an 11-year-old gymnast named Victoria in Texas who had a hard-fought battle with cancer which she lost.”

When Victoria lost her life, gamers across North America came together to help start the fundraiser, which helps raise money for Children’s Hospitals all over the Continent by streaming video games, a passion of Victoria’s.

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This is Boutilier’s 3rd year taking part in the campaign as he has raised funds for BC Children’s Hospitals with his streams.

“It’s fun. It’s a great opportunity to not only play some video games with people. Interact with them in the chat, but to also meet new video gamers and work with them towards a common goal.

Boutilier is hopeful to raise $500 individually and $5,000 total with his teammates for the campaign, but at the same time also build a bigger community surrounding gaming.

“It gives us all an opportunity to stop being so mean to each other and work together for a common goal of the children’s miracle network.”

Since its inception, the Extra Life fundraiser has raised more than 50 million dollars US for the Children’s Miracle Network across North America.

More details on the campaign can be found here.