Play Games; Heal Children: Hundreds of Hudson Valley Gamers to Play the Games They Love in Support of Local Children’s Hospital

CONTACT:

Andy LaGuardia
(914) 493-6532
andrew.laguardia@wmchealth.org

Gaming Day Marathon Set for Saturday, November 7; Proceeds from Fundraising Event Will Benefit Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital

Highlights:

• Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital will host a 12-hour, fundraising gaming marathon on Saturday, November 7.
• The event is a local activation of the national Extra Life gaming program, which supports Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the United States. Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital is the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital for the Hudson Valley and Fairfield County in Connecticut.
• November 7 is National Gaming Day. Gamers of all ages may participate, at the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital event or elsewhere, and be assured the money they raise will benefit the children’s hospital for the Hudson Valley and Fairfield County. To participate and help make a difference in children’s lives, gamers should contact Meredith Buono at (914) 493-5285 or meredith.buono@wmchealth.org.

VALHALLA, NY (November 2, 2015) – On Saturday, November 7, Hudson Valley gaming enthusiasts of all ages can play their favorite games to benefit Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) as part of the Extra Life program’s 24-hour National Gaming Day Marathon.

Gamers can play from any location to raise funds through Extra Life, a national gaming program that aids sick and injured children by supporting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, including Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital. One fundraising option for gamers that day will take place at the Taylor Conference Center on the Valhalla campus of Westchester Medical Center which will host a Gaming Marathon from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Several gaming groups in the Hudson Valley are participating, and others are encouraged to join in the fun. Groups already participating include: a trio of New Rochelle High School students who previously raised money for Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital through their “Gamers Give” class project; the Westchester Gaming Geeks, who will fundraise and hold a 24-hour gaming event at Modern Myths in Mamaroneck, New York, for the fourth year; and October Country, led by an Extra Life supporter and SUNY New Paltz professor, which will host an event for those interested in board games and roll-playing games. Extra Life’s fundraising efforts take place throughout the year, but the campaign culminates annually with its 24-hour Gaming Marathon on National Gaming Day.

Participants who choose to play at the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital event will have the opportunity to play on an array of gaming platforms, including PS4, Xbox One, Wii U and GameCube, as well as tabletop games. Representatives from Microsoft and Nintendo will be in attendance to present prizes and lead activities, and they will award a grand prize to the gamer who collects the most donations.

The registration fee for the Gaming Marathon supporting Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital is $15 and includes food and a raffle ticket. Gamers under the age of 18 must have a guardian’s permission. To register for this fun-filled event, or to learn more about how the gamers of today are helping the gamers of tomorrow, contact Meredith Buono at (914) 493-5285 or meredith.buono@wmchealth.org.

About Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center

Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center is the children’s hospital for New York’s Hudson Valley region and Fairfield County, Connecticut. Families from the region and beyond come to the hospital for advanced pediatric care due to the reputation of its advanced pediatric services and family-friendly environment. Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital is home to the region’s only pediatric intensive care unit and its regional neonatal intensive care unit as well as its only pediatric transplant program, pediatric burn care and trauma services and cardiac catheterization program.