By Jillianna Farietta
Contributing Writer

There are many established events designed to raise money for various charitable causes, including disease research, suicide awareness, and social justice-related organizations.

Several of these events center on physical activity, such as charity runs or walks, but one organization, Extra Life, has come up with a different variation on a tried-and-true theme: a gaming “marathon.”

Extra Life is an organization that allows gamers to participate in a 24-hour gaming marathon that raises money for sick children who are currently in a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.

The Simmons Science Fiction and Fantasy Club (SSFF), along with the Simmons Anime and Manga Association (SAMA), is hosting a 24-hour Extra Life event. This event will connect members of the Simmons community through a common objective: helping kids in Boston Children’s Hospital.

Participants can be sponsored for the time they spend gaming, and have fundraising goals, but rather than achieving these goals through walking for a certain number of miles, they simply game during the 24-hour period.

These games can range from card games, such as Uno or Cards Against Humanity, to handheld games (such as those for the Nintendo DS), to games played on consoles such as Super Smash Brothers. The variety in games will allow gamers from all backgrounds to participate in the event.

While there is a schedule of events for games, anyone is allowed to play any game they like. Gamers can switch between multiple games or spend the whole day with just one.

Although the event is 24 hours, no one is required to play for 24 hours straight. This is the first year an Extra Life event has been held at Simmons College, but SSFF and SAMA are hoping to co-sponsor a similar event in the fall.

There is no admission cost and participants are encouraged to join the official Simmons College Extra Life fundraising team. Those who do come are also asked to bring any available games or gaming systems that they have with them, in order to diversify the games and entertainment for all participants.

The event is open for all Simmons and other COF students. Visit http://j.mp/SImmonsEL for more news, schedules, and information on joining the official Simmons College Extra Life fundraising team.

You can download the event flier here: extra-life.