For the third straight year Leala U., one of our Graphic Designers in Flower Mound, is joining 650 other people who will be playing video games for 24 straight hours to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network. Leala is generally a pretty quiet person. I can tell you from experience that if you engage her in conversation about this cause you will see something very different. It clearly means a lot to her and she was extremely excited when I mentioned we could help with her fundraising efforts.
So what can you do? Read her story below. I can’t begin to explain to you why this cause is SO important to Leala, so I thought I would let her tell you on her own. Then visit her fundraising website and make a donation. It's that simple.
So what can you do? Read her story below. I can’t begin to explain to you why this cause is SO important to Leala, so I thought I would let her tell you on her own. Then visit her fundraising website and make a donation. It's that simple.
Leala's Story...
There are lots of ways to raise money for great causes, but I can’t think of one more fun than playing video games. For the third year in a row, thousand of gamers from across the world will come together on October 16 for Extra Life, a 24 hour gaming charity marathon. And I will be among them yet again, playing all day and night to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network.
This year though will be extra special for me, as I’ll be playing in honor of a little girl named Emma Bradford. I heard her story a few months ago online as it circulated throughout the community of people who play one of my favorite games, a family game called Wizard 101. She was a Wizard 101 player as well who had passed at the very young age of 7 years old. When it came time for Extra Life again this year I thought of her and wanted to dedicate my portion of the fundraiser to her memory. I tracked down her family online to explain what I wanted to do and get their blessing. Emma’s father Shane has been so gracious and supportive in sharing her story with me. Born with a congenial heart defect, Emma braved several surgeries in her short time that allowed her to live a happy life. A determined, smart and fearless young girl, Emma was an inspiration to her friends and family with her spirit. In an even more touching twist of events, I learned that Children’s Miracle Network had served as a valuable resource to Emma’s family in the difficult times of her surgeries.
The picture below is a special one to her family. It was taken on her last day at church. Though it wasn’t planned or intended, Emma is right in the center and the only light shining down in the photo is highlighting her.
There are lots of ways to raise money for great causes, but I can’t think of one more fun than playing video games. For the third year in a row, thousand of gamers from across the world will come together on October 16 for Extra Life, a 24 hour gaming charity marathon. And I will be among them yet again, playing all day and night to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network.
This year though will be extra special for me, as I’ll be playing in honor of a little girl named Emma Bradford. I heard her story a few months ago online as it circulated throughout the community of people who play one of my favorite games, a family game called Wizard 101. She was a Wizard 101 player as well who had passed at the very young age of 7 years old. When it came time for Extra Life again this year I thought of her and wanted to dedicate my portion of the fundraiser to her memory. I tracked down her family online to explain what I wanted to do and get their blessing. Emma’s father Shane has been so gracious and supportive in sharing her story with me. Born with a congenial heart defect, Emma braved several surgeries in her short time that allowed her to live a happy life. A determined, smart and fearless young girl, Emma was an inspiration to her friends and family with her spirit. In an even more touching twist of events, I learned that Children’s Miracle Network had served as a valuable resource to Emma’s family in the difficult times of her surgeries.
The picture below is a special one to her family. It was taken on her last day at church. Though it wasn’t planned or intended, Emma is right in the center and the only light shining down in the photo is highlighting her.
I am so honored to be able to not only share her story but to be able to raise money for an organization that was able to touch her life, by playing one of our favorite games.You can find more info about the event on their website.
You can also visit my sponsorship page.
Thank you so much for your support.
Leala U. (Ivie-Flower Mound)
