How Extra Lifer Blair Bears Raised $2,000+ to Unlock the Extra Life Controller Platinum Reward
Nine-year Extra Lifer Blair Bears is well on her way to hitting her 2024 fundraising goal for her member children’s hospital, Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital. We asked her a few questions about her support of Extra Life, tips she has for those of you wondering how to get closer to your goal, and how she plans to keep up her momentum!
Q: How did you hear about Extra Life?
Blair Bears: My nephew was born prematurely with an underdeveloped heart, and he was saved by a member hospital of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals! A friend of mine actually discovered Extra Life and told me about it, and we planned a big stream-a-thon with a bunch of other friends! I raised $27 for the kids and felt so heckin’ happy and proud!
Q: When did you get started in fundraising?
Blair Bears: I created my first official campaign in 2015, but I had been a part of a team in the years prior helping others fundraise! I was on/off for a while only streaming for Game Day or on my birthday, but in 2019/2020 I started streaming more and doing my best to fundraise all year round!
Q: You unlocked the 2024 controller incentive already! AMAZING! Do you have any tips for someone who is getting started with fundraising?
Blair Bears: Every Little Bit Helps! Some folks will raise a dollar, and some will raise thousands, but every single dollar goes such a long way to helping kids. So aim high and be proud of all you do, because you are doing an AMAZING thing!
Have a spiel! Talk about why you are doing what you do, what it means to you, and show your passion/hype for it!
Do not be afraid to post your Extra Life link, because changing kids’ health is NEVER an inconvenience or a bother to anyone!
Platinum-level Extra Lifers can unlock the first-ever Extra Life controller by raising $2,000 USD for local member children’s hospitals.
See all of the 2024 Extra Life fundraising incentives at extra-life.org/incentives.
Q: If you could share a tip/trick/best practice with a first-time Extra Lifer, what would it be?
Blair Bears: The best practice is to be yourself! Be you, and folks will come to support and cheer you on.
Q: What do you love most about fundraising for your local member children’s hospital?
Blair Bears: The fact that they are so welcoming and reach out often in emails to support our Extra Life efforts! Janet Weis Geisinger is constantly communicating tips, tricks, and wins in the Extra Life community. It’s really great to see!
Q: Why do you Extra Life?
Blair Bears: Not only for my own personal story with my nephews (My first nephew being born with an underdeveloped heart, and my other being premature and having to go into the ICU), but because the children are our future, and they deserve to live long, happy, and healthy lives. It breaks my heart to see what some of these children have had to go through at the start of their lives. If we as a community can make a huge difference in so many lives just by doing our best (AND playing video games!) then I hope to continue doing this for as long as I am able to.
Q: Pineapple on your pizza Y or N?
Blair Bears: YES! Forever!
Q: What game(s) are you playing right now?
Blair Bears: Tetris, always! Baldur’s Gate 3, Enshrouded, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, and every Thursday we play Raccoon-Themed indie games for Trash Panda Thursday! Check out her on Twitch.
Q: Thank you for your time! Is there anything else you want to say?
Blair Bears: Thank you to every single person who has supported not only my own campaign, but Extra Lifers all around! If there is a ever a day you think you don’t matter, or that you haven’t made a difference in this world, know that that is simply not true. Whether you’re donating, supporting your friends stream/fundraiser, helping to spread the word, or fundraising yourself…You are making a POSITIVE DIFFERENCE in a world that really needs it, and I am so proud of you for that. Thank you.
Thanks, Blair, for chatting with us! You can find Blair Bears on Twitch.
Sign up for Extra Life at extra-life.org or on Tiltify to change kids’ health to change the future for children treated in member children’s hospitals around the U.S. and Canada by playing games! Whether you’re into board games, video games, crafts, etc., there is a place for you at Extra Life!