The Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was abuzz with laughter and positive energy when a community of video gamers descended on the campus in April for the fourth annual St. Jude PLAY LIVE Summit.
Gamers worldwide have powered up their consoles to raise funds and awareness for St. Jude, which is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The St. Jude PLAY LIVE fundraising campaign has raised more than $4.2 million for the hospital, with more than 14,000 participants and more than 100 million social media impressions.
Families never recieve a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
As a continuation of the gaming community’s dedication to St. Jude, GuardianCon 2017 is taking place this weekend in Tampa, Fla. What began as a small meet-up of enthusiastic players of the video game Destiny in 2015 has morphed into a two-day event expected to draw thousands to the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall, and thousands more viewers online.
And while the kids of St. Jude are the clear winners from events like these, the gamers consider themselves winners as well. “It gives us an increased purpose,” said Imperial Girl (gamers prefer being identified with their screen names). Here from the Washington area for the St. Jude PLAY LIVE Summit, she said she found it “humbling” that St. Jude works so closely with gamers.
“St. Jude understands the gaming community,” added Hugs of Los Angeles. He said he enjoyed watching the gaming skills of patients and their families at the summit, but “was more impressed with their trash-talking.”
Bloodyfaster, also of Los Angeles, said she was touched to be recognized by a patient fan during the summit. “She has her own YouTube channel and we promoted it on Twitter for her,” Bloodyfaster said. “Her mom thanked us and said she’d been having a rough day. It brought tears to our eyes — we will leave here and our hearts will be full.”
You, too, can help give hope to kids who are fighting life-threatening illnesses.
You might also be interested in:
-
Plan in Progress: St. Jude celebrates first year of telehealth services in Tupelo
St. Jude is celebrating a successful first year of providing telehealth services for children with chronic hematological diseases in North Mississippi. Read the story.
-
Doggone cute: St. Jude is paw-leased to welcome employees Snuggle and CC
Read about Snuggle and CC, the two newest facility dogs who are enhancing the patient experience at St. Jude.
-
Being A Father is Everything for St. Jude Patient Dad Chris
When Chris' son Calvin got a devastating diagnosis, it was the lifesaving mission of St. Jude that helped ensure his family remained intact.
-
A St. Jude volunteer “meet cute” leads to engagement
Jordan Watson and Kelly Quiroz met at St. Jude while volunteering and recently got engaged to marry.
-
Father’s Day: St. Jude employees share stories of inspiration
To commemorate Father's Day, read four stories of four St. Jude employees who have the unique experience of calling their fathers colleagues.
-
St. Jude kindergarten graduation celebrates aspiring teachers, ballerinas…ninjas
Students in the St. Jude School Program hit a milestone by celebrating their Kindergarten graduation.
-
‘A success on all fronts’
Read how St. Jude volunteers opened the door to health care career possibilities for local eighth graders during an expo at Agricenter International.
-
St. Jude School Program celebrates annual high school commencement
See how St. Jude is honoring 15 students as part of its annual high school commencement. The students completed high school this year while undergoing treatment and managing the ongoing pandemic. Each graduate received a unique St. Jude class ring, hats tassels and other gifts.
-
St. Jude celebrates Mother’s Day with inspirational stories
St. Jude employees take pride in their work and many times, they inspire family members to join the mission. This Mother’s Day, we highlight a few family members who have followed in their mothers’ footsteps.
-
Mentorship is a Two-Way Street
In observance of Women's History Month, Andrea Stubbs discusses the importance of mentorship and support throughout her career.
-
Austin Springer, PhD, receives highest employee honor for pandemic response efforts
For pandemic response efforts in 2021, Human Resources employee receives highest honor bestowed upon St. Jude employees.
-
Why did I get the COVID-19 vaccine? Two St. Jude families share their stories
Two St. Jude families share their reasons for getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
-
Puggle, Huckleberry to depart soon; doggy duo has changed the patient experience
The facility dogs who laid the groundwork for the hospital’s facility dog program are departing soon. Read how they changed the patient experience.
-
Face masks are business as usual at St. Jude
Learn how staff members, patients and families have been wearing masks correctly for decades to protect children and prevent infection.
-
Meet Rosalie: Facility dog to provide employee support
Learn how Rosalie, a golden retriever facility dog, will help support employee resilience. St. Jude has two other facility dogs who support patient care.