Skip to main content

Why I Extra Life — from Devin Pearce

This post was written by second-year Extra Lifer Devin Pearce playing for Stollery Children’s Hospitals Foundation. You can learn more about Extra Life at extra-life.org

Well if the banner above doesn’t do enough to tell you what this bad boy is, buckle up. Extra Life is a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Program (2010) that as of 2018 has raised over $50 million USD since starting in 2008. think of it as a radio/telethon that is centered around things kids can enjoy (videogames, board games, etc.), raising money to help other kids who are sick! This is my second year being involved in the charity process of Extra Life, last year we raised about $185 USD.

This year I hope to raise at least 50% of my overall goal of $1000 USD. The little bar here —> will stay updated with where we sit for this year. That’s pretty cool. This year I’ve started early to try and increase the likelihood of us Hitting that goal February 25th this year I did a Top 5 Tuesday Live recording and edit on the Mixer Channel of the podcast and in that, I recorded my video request for aid in achieving my goals for this year’s Extra Life fundraising. I am still trying to get a few more milestones for celebrating the steps along the way to our goal, for now:

I also have a bunch of incentives for those that want to choose how they are thanked for their donation. Fun things like having me add stickers and tattoos to my face, getting a letter from my children, or having me make video edits for your content creation needs. All as a thank you for helping out my local CMN Hospital, and there are MANY to choose form.

The money I am raising is going towards the Edmonton Stollery Children’s Hospital the foundation that supports this hospital has been around along time, however, the hospital is relatively new. much of what goes on at the hospital is research. They are also serving the entire northern Alberta region, some of BC and all three northern territories of Canada for specialized pediatric care. Many of the children being from outside of the Edmonton capital region that is actively receiving care. This hospital deals with a large number of transplants, which is something I’ve learned since supporting them last year.

“Why I Extra Life?”

The question you may be asking yourself “Why does Devin choose to do this?” It is a good one. Obviously there is good karma in helping sick and injured kids, however, for me, it is because I know several amazing kids that wouldn’t be here without the Stollery Hospital/Foundation including MYSELF, though the hospital foundation was officially starting in 2001 it was previously known as “Children’s Health Foundation of Northern Alberta” and from 1978-1992 held the name “Northern Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation”.

This foundation was supporting the hospital I was rushed too when I was born, in the summer of 1989, after realizing that I was not breathing. I am now the proud father to 3 of my own children the youngest of which has had complications with his respiratory system since birth. Odin has not yet made the 2-hour rush drive to the Stollery but has come close to being sent there during overnight stays at our own hospital. Below is the segment of me talking about Extra Life. if you are able to spare anything please reach out to me about donations or go to our page https://www.extra-life.org/participant/Devin-Pearce

You can share your Why I Extra Life story by visiting: childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org/guest-post and be sure to sign up for Extra Life to help heal kids in hospitals across North America.