I’m just a guy that loves to play and talk about video games.  I’m also a father of two wonderful kids.  Kids I try to keep safe.  Kids I would do anything for to keep them safe.  When/if you ever become a parent, you’ll inevitably have that “moment” where something bad happens to your child that you couldn’t/didn’t prevent.  Maybe it will be a movie, maybe it will be a TV show, a friend’s experience, or maybe it will hit you directly, but eventually you’ll realize that bad things like cancer can happen to good people.  Enter, Extra Life…

Individually, we’re pretty powerless to combat cancer but if we give in to our inherently social nature, we can combine forces and actually do something to help.  Extra Life is one of the many movements people undertake to make a difference.  As that gamer, that parent, that helpless individual joining a larger group to make a difference, Extra Life makes me proud to be a gamer making a difference, proud to be a good citizen realizing that even if I haven’t been directly affect (and knock on wood won’t be directly affected) that doesn’t mean we all shouldn’t pitch in to help make a difference!

I’ve seen an incredible amount of people latch onto Extra Life and help it grow beyond my wildest expectations.  I’m sure when the final numbers are announced, a lot of folks (myself included) are going to stand back, stare at the numbers a bit, and say “Whoa… we did that?!?!”  Insert the appropriate “Achievement Unlocked/Trophy Earned” comment here.  I wish there was some badge we could give to people so they could wear it with pride throughout all their various gaming communities and consoles.  If you’ve been involved as a gamer gathering sponsors, as a sponsor of other games, or even as both, you deserve that proverbial “gold star” for a job well done.

On top of the obvious benefits to the Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Extra Life has brought the various gaming communities a little bit closer from all the camaraderie.  I hope to further grow these friendships on October 18th by playing online with some of you.  I promise to be as nice and courteous as possible while I (most likely) kill you.  Remember, it’s for a good cause… think of the kids!

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