Charity Needs Your Support During Challenging Times

April Stallings, the charitable gaming and creators community manager at Make-A-Wish International, highlights the remarkable impact of video games on children with critical illnesses. These games provide a lifeline, connecting them to the world and offering a sense of escapism and respite. They also provide a level playing field, empowering children when they feel defined by their illness. Games bring joy and can be a powerful tool for charities, driving fundraising, awareness, and education. Since its founding in 1980, Make-A-Wish has granted over 615,000 life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, with an increasing number of game-oriented wishes. However, support from the industry is not meeting the demand. Games have the potential to deliver profound experiences, such as a child virtually visiting a game development team or a unique in-game skin raising millions for charity. Gaming is the fastest-growing category of wishes, with simpler wishes also having a significant impact, like a child creating their own gaming corner. Despite the challenges, working with a charitable brand can have positive impacts for developers and publishers, engaging communities, and boosting morale. Make-A-Wish aims to grant 30,000 wishes a year by 2030 and sees the games industry as a key partner in achieving this goal. The power of gaming to help children during challenging times is remarkable, and the industry has the potential to make a significant difference.