Twitch broadcaster Ben Moody (right) plays video games with patient Navada on a visit to St. Jude.
Video games are no longer just entertaining the kids. Today they are benefiting the kids of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The popularity of video games has grown to a level that allows elite players to make a career out of playing them. These gamers are now using their fame on Internet-streamed broadcast channels like Twitch to support the children of St. Jude through St. Jude PLAY LIVE, a video game charity event that has raised more than $1.8 million since it was created two years ago.
“I believe that if we are fortunate enough to capture the attention of other people, we should use that time to make a positive impact on their lives as well as other people,” said Ben Moody, a Twitch broadcaster with the screen name DizzyDizaster. Twitch and video game retailer GameStop support St. Jude through St. Jude PLAY LIVE.
Broadcasters, like Moody, fundraise during dedicated charity streams during which they ask their viewers for donations to St. Jude.
“What better way to help people feel better than to use our awesome time together to benefit kids in need?” said Moody, who has raised more than $17,000 through St. Jude PLAY LIVE.
St. Jude PLAY LIVE isn’t just for the professionals, either. Anyone can play — either online or off — to raise funds, and earn prizes and student service hours.
Moody visited St. Jude before the 2015 St. Jude PLAY LIVE event and said the hospital “was the furthest thing from what I expected out of a hospital dealing with terminal illness, especially in children.”
He spent several hours on ensuing broadcasts relaying his hospital experience to his viewers who can communicate with him through a chat feature.
“I even had several chat members tell me stories about their own children who were positively impacted by St. Jude,” Moody said. “When I saw what a profound impact St. Jude was having, and how many incredible streamers were already on board, I knew this was the way for us to go.”
To learn more about or participate in St. Jude PLAY LIVE, visit playlive.stjude.org.
You, too, can make a difference for St. Jude kids.
You might also be interested in:
-
St. Jude employee’s journey inspires new adoption benefit
With the help of the St. Jude Adoption Assistance Program, Child Life specialist Ashley Carr adopted her daughter, Nora, in 2017.
-
Physician assistant helps teen sickle cell patients navigate through treatment
Paul Lavoie helps prepare sickle cell patients for the transition to adult care. Learn why his role is important to patients’ long-term health.
-
A well-placed edit: Scientific Editor changed career plans
From bench scientist to scientific editor: Vani Shanker, PhD, of Scientific Editing revised her career plans.
-
Doggy duo a perfect match for St. Jude
St. Jude hospital dogs have been training for their new roles since birth. Learn about how they were chosen for their work.
-
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
To mark 2019 National Hispanic Heritage Month, St. Jude is honoring some our dedicated Hispanic employees. Learn more about their work.
-
Paws at Play: St. Jude welcomes furry, four-legged colleagues
St. Jude child life specialists welcome Puggle and Huckleberry, the hospital’s newest employees. Read more about their journey and St. Jude Paws at Play.
-
Child Life specialist puts kids at ease
Amy Kennedy helps patients navigate difficult moments. Read about the child life specialist’s role at St. Jude.
-
Physician leads team’s effort to address patient safety
Hana Hakim leads program to ensure healthy, safe environment for patients, families and staff.
-
Michael Moloney Designs for the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway
Michael showcases his interior design work in different houses for the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway each year.
-
St. Jude LIFE Biostatistician Plays to Win in Pediatric Cancer Fight
Biostatistician Deo “Kumar” Srivastava helps researchers analyze St. Jude LIFE data.
-
Audiovisual technician delves into the science of sound
Eddy Garcia grew up surrounded by sound. Learn how his music career led to a role at St. Jude.
-
Clinical pharmacist’s career path winds to St. Jude
Clinical pharmacist Melissa Bourque dispenses the details of how her career in medicine took shape. Read more about her path to St. Jude.
-
Native Memphian overcomes challenges to find his niche at St. Jude
Senior hazardous chemical technician Terry Ivery disposes of personal challenges to find his niche. Read more about how his work cleans up labs across St. Jude.
-
Curing SCID: The People Behind the Process
Learn how Jolanta "Jola" Dowdy helped St. Jude researchers cure X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID-X1), a rare genetic disorder.
-
Medical interpreter brings words to life for St. Jude families
Medical interpreter Guillermo Umbria bridges the language gap for Spanish-speaking patients and families at St. Jude. Learn more about how he brings words to life.