ESA Foundation Gala Honors Extra Life Founder Jeromy Adams
The Entertainment Software Association Foundation honored Extra Life founder Jeromy Adams at its Nite to Unite gala on Tuesday, February 28, 2017. The Nite to Unite gala honors leaders and visionaries in the gaming industry that are making a profound difference. The Visionary Award was given to Adams to recognize him for mobilizing a community of gamers that have raised over $30 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
“Jeromy Adams is a visionary in the video game community,” said ESA Foundation Executive Director Anastasia Staten in a statement. “Not only does he have big ideas, he has a big heart to match. Jeromy and the community participating in Extra Life to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals show the power of video gamers coming together to make a difference in the lives of countless children, friends and families across the country. In their hands, a game controller isn’t just a tool of entertainment, but is a tool of healing and a source of hope. The ESA Foundation is proud to support this incredible problem, helping to raise funds and awareness for children’s hospitals all across the country.”
Adams first created Extra Life when he was a radio host in Houston, Texas. As part of the annual Radiothon program that benefitted Texas Children’s Hospital, he met Tori – the inspiration behind Extra Life. Tori was 11 years old at the time and battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Adams and Tori quickly bonded over a mutual passion of video games. Shortly after her passing Adams had an idea – why not have gamers do what they do best, while raising money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to benefit more kids like Tori? And Extra Life was born.
Extra Life is a 24-hour gaming marathon. Participants recruit family and friends to join and donate to their marathon. Games of all kinds are played – from table top, mobile, PC or console. Since 2008, Extra Life has grown to a community of over 55,000 gamers from all over the world who unite to play games and heal kids. Funds stay local to benefit each gamers local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Extra Life has raised over $30 million to benefit CMN Hospitals. To find out more about Extra Life and sign up to participate, click here.