INSTRUCTION MANUAL
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EXTRA LIFE CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS
This official logo is your assurance that Extra Life and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® are committed to serve their communities in the United States and Canada. When you see the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals logo, know that every dollar of your donation stays local. UNITED STATES
CANADA
CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS EXTRA LIFE
table of contents The Story Warning! The Basics Why Play for Extra Life? Your Tools How to Play Special Moves Power Up! This is Not Game Over! Resources
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EXTRA LIFE CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS
The EXTRA LIFE Story It all started with a little girl in Orange, Texas... Extra Life was founded in honor of Victoria Enmon, a teenage gamer who lost her life to leukemia. Each year more than 50,000 gamers from across the world participate in honor of this young woman, and the millions of children treated each year at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. All proceeds from Extra Life directly benefit one of 170 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the United States and Canada. Donations are used for the most immediate need facing local kids; everything from patient programs, new equipment, and charitable care. WATCH HER STORY
or visit extra-life.org/about
CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS EXTRA LIFE
warning! Joining Extra Life, playing games to heal kids and supporting your local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital might actually change your life and will definitely change the lives of others.
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EXTRA LIFE CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS
the basics Extra Life is a way for gamers to raise money for their Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Much like running a 5K for a cause, Extra Life participants play any type of game to raise awareness and critical donations for their local CMN Hospital.
There’s no limit to how, what or when you play while you’re raising money through Extra Life. In fact, the only requirement is that you have fun while doing it! Many participants actually host their own 24-hour gaming marathon or join us on our official “Game Day” each year.
CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS EXTRA LIFE
why play for extra life? EVERYDAY CMN HOSPITALS TREAT:
16,200
935
2,128
KIDS FOR TRAUMA
KIDS WITH DIABETES
KIDS WITH CANCER
2,329
925
KIDS FOR SUGERIES
BABIES IN NICU
Every dollar raised makes a difference. Be a hero! Play games, heal kids. LEARN MORE
or visit CMNHospitals.org
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EXTRA LIFE CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS
your tools Participant Page: Your personal fundraising page is shareable, customizable, and equipped to take donations. Set up your page and share it! Mobile Apps: Use our mobile and Facebook fundraising apps to message your friends, family and community members while on-the-go! Email Campaigns: Reach out to your email contacts to let them know that you are playing games and healing kids! Get Social: Use your personal and professional social media channels to keep your network updated on your Extra Life efforts. Tag our official @ExtraLife4Kids account in your posts!
CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS EXTRA LIFE
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how to play “What can I play?” Play whatever you like! Play video, board, card, tabletop, mobile and sports games. If you can play it, it’s “fair game”. “When should I play?” People play for Extra Life year-round! Many Extra Lifers join us on our 24-hour marathon each fall as we play games together as a global community For The Kids. “How long do I have to play?” Most Extra Lifers challenge themselves with 24-hour marathons, playing them in-full or breaking it up over several weekends. Some set their own challenges to raise money for their hospitals. You decide how YOU want to play For The Kids.
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EXTRA LIFE CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS
how to play “Where do I go to play? Who do I play with?” Most Extra Lifers participate from the comfort SAFETY of their own home! Some gather friends and NOTICE: LY, contact local businesses to host an Extra Life E party. Still others play with their friends online PLAY WIS E K A T from across the globe! How, where and with BREAKS whom you play is up to you! “I see a lot of people live streaming for Extra Life. Is this required?” Streaming is not required to participate in Extra Life! However many people have discovered streaming games on Twitch and other broadcasting platforms as a fun way to engage others during their fundraising campaigns!
CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS EXTRA LIFE
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special moves Fundraising Tactics What’s the most powerful move at your disposal for asking for donations? Your voice! Tell everyone that you are playing games to heal sick kids. Some fundraising pro-tips • Get social: Post on social media often, share stories about your local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital and your Champion kid! • Have good business sense: Reach out to local businesses to support Extra Life. Suggest a charity night to raise donations and awareness. • Get creative: Craft and create Extra Life themed goodies for your potential donors as incentives.
ING FUNDRAISE IC ADV
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EXTRA LIFE CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS
special moves It’s easier with others We totally support soloing your Extra Life experience, though joining or creating an Extra Life team can bolster your gaming and fundraising campaign. LEARN MORE ABOUT TEAMS
or visit http://cmnh.co/teamwork
Get involved locally! Across the US and Canada, there are groups of local Extra Lifers who get together and host recruitment events, gaming tournaments and social gatherings to support their local CMN Hospital. LEARN MORE AND GET CONNECTED!
or visit http://cmnh.co/ExtraLifeLocal
ING FUNDRAISE IC ADV
CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS EXTRA LIFE
power up! Go Platinum When you reach fundraising milestones for your Children’s Miracle Network Hospital and upgrade to Platinum by paying the registration fee, special Extra Life loot will be yours.
EXTRA LIFE DECAL
T SHIRT (NEW T SHIRT DESIGN EVERY YEAR)
HERO MEDALS
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EXTRA LIFE CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS
This is not game over! While our marathons and challenges may end, the need for vital funds for our hospitals does not. Thousands of children enter our hospitals every single day. Millions receive treatment every year. In order to support the amazing work that happens at CMN Hospitals every day, we keep playing games and healing kids. We hope you join us! Register for Extra Life today and remember to re-register each year!
CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS EXTRA LIFE
resources Register extra-life.org/register Join our Discord discord.gg/extralife4kids Team Captain Best Practices extra-life.org/teamcaptain Media & Broadcasting Kit extra-life.org/mediakit Extra Life Mobile Fundraising Apps extra-life.org/apps Extra Life Community Hub community.extra-life.org Extra Life FAQs extra-life.org/faq
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EXTRA-LIFE.ORG