Marcie Long is the Development Officer of Annual Giving at Children’s Health, where she oversees all online fundraising programs, including Extra Life. She’s on a mission to show the esports and gaming community that play can be one of the most powerful forces for good in a child’s life.
Tell us about your role at Children’s Health and how gaming fits into your mission.
I manage all online fundraising programs for Children’s Health, including our Extra Life program. Extra Life is a charitable gaming initiative of Children’s Miracle Network that raises funds for local children’s hospitals across the U.S. and Canada. Think of it like running a 5K — you raise money, then you run the race. Only here, you play games. Video games, board games, tabletop, anything. And you can do it any day of the year.
How does esports specifically support Children’s Health’s broader mission?
It supports our mission in two critical ways. First, funds raised through Extra Life go directly toward making life better for children. Second, technology — including gaming — is actively used in patient care. We use VR, for example, to support patients during procedures like PICC line placements and IV insertions. It allows kids to fully immerse themselves somewhere else while undergoing treatment. Gaming brings joy and encourages play during what can be a really difficult time.
What has the Extra Life program accomplished so far?
Since 2008, Extra Life has raised over one million dollars for Children’s Health. That funding has come from professional esports teams, individual gamers, local gaming stores, and tabletop groups — people doing something they love while making a real difference. Charitable gaming fundraisers, especially those with a livestreaming component, have proven to be incredibly effective. Donation shout-outs, on-screen trackers, and challenge goals keep audiences engaged and giving throughout the stream.
How can organizations in the esports industry get involved?
Any company or organization can join Extra Life — it’s really about finding what works for your group. That might be a game night fundraiser, a give-back from sales, or employee donation matching. There’s no single formula. If you enjoy gaming and want to make an impact, there’s a place for you in this program.
What’s on the horizon for Children’s Health and the Extra Life program?
In the coming year, we’re focused on bringing in new partners through Extra Life and creating unique in-hospital gaming experiences for our patients. We want to deepen the connection between the gaming community and the kids we serve — because that intersection is where something really special happens.
