A British cancer charity is challenging gamers to raise much needed funds by playing games with friends or streaming them online on Twitch or Mixer. The charity has teamed up with Tiltify for its Player vs Cancer campaign to encourage players to game for good after hearing how much gaming meant to young people.
CLIC Sargent, which is the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, has been inspired by the growth of streaming and by some of its patrons, like Connor Shells, who have testified that playing games took their minds off of their treatment. In Connor’s case, playing Overwatch and Rainbow Six Siege with his online friends provided him with an escape from his non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis.
“Meeting new people online was great because it gave me something to escape to,” he says. I wanted to feel normal. Everywhere else it was clear I was ill because I looked ill. The other gamers didn’t know anything about my cancer, and I didn’t have to talk or think about it.
“I hope gamers everywhere get involved with this campaign, any money raised big or small will make a huge difference for young people who might be on treatment now and need that support. Gaming is such an important part of my life and it’s great that we can now use it to help CLIC Sargent.”
If you fancy raising money to help fellow gamers like Connor, but don’t know where to start, CLIC Sargent has got a couple of suggestions that can be streamed or played with friends at home. These suggestions include no hit runs, speedruns, and FIFA apology pledges.
“We are so excited to launch Player vs Cancer, many of the young people we support tell us gaming gives them a place to escape and it helps them to connect with their friends, which is so important,” Rachel Kirby-Rider, director of income and engagement at CLIC Sargent, says.
“Player vs Cancer is gaming for good, all the money raised will help us to continue supporting children and young people like Connor. It will also raise vital awareness, helping us to reach more young people who may not have heard of us before. We hope this inspires people around the world join the fight for young lives against cancer, by doing something they love.”
To get involved in the Player vs Cancer campaign, click here.