This year

This is the year we crack $10,000 raised in all my time doing this, folks. Can we raise enough that we average out to $1,000/year? We have some work to do. Let's get in to it.

Who Is Artimage?

Hello everyone, my name, of course, is Artimage, and we have yet ANOTHER YEAR of Extra Life fund raising to do! First, a bit about me.
I am a gamer and mental health advocate, who tries to give back in, and with, these two passions. I myself have bipolar disorder, and have been a gamer a long time before that was a thing. I use gaming as a part of my coping strategies for my mental health, as well as just a general passion, and also seek to help others do the same in a variety of ways. More of that can be seen at my YouTube channel: youtube.com/Artimage84

What Is Extra Life?

For those of you whom may not be familiar, Extra Life is a gaming charity marathon with the intention to raise money for hospitals in the Children's Miracle Network. Every year, I choose to support McMaster Children's Hospital, because they are local to me, and have programs that support juvenile mental health. Mental health is an area in health care systems all too often ignored, so I want to do what I can to ensure this doesn't happen. The earlier we help those affected learn to handle their health problems in a healthy manner, the easier it is going to be for them.

What are you going to do for extra life this year?

Tabletop Appreciation Weekend

I had an idea last year I did not get to do. I want to find a source online who is doing proxy, and inspired rather than recreations, of a Xenos army from WarHammer 40,000, and over the course of 24 hours, 3D print and paint up that army to also give away. We will start with a reasonable point level of 1500. But, if we can reach $2,000 before the marathon starts, we'll add another 500 points for a standard 2000 point army. If I can't finish the army in the marathon, it will still be completed and given away. Please note, I am an incredibly mediocre painter. So just be glad the models have colour on them. Ha!

I don't have a lot of sources picked out yet. There will be one source chosen for each of the Xenos factions(T'au, Orks, Tyranids, Necrons, Aeldari and Drukhari). So if you have something you think would work, please do let me know. Contact me at artimage84@gmail.com and provide links to the source in question.

What have you done in years past?

So, every year has been a little different. 

2013

Small group of us just sat there and played various games supporting McMaster. We raised a moderate amount, about $300 between the four of us, or so.

2014

We had a bit of a slump. But lots of community involvement. So a mixed bag of success.

2015

I solo played the original Mass Effect, and shaved my head. We had an amazing year for funds, having raised over $400 myself. A lot of my offline donations did not get tracked.

2016

Another community event. A quiet night, with a modicum of success, but was something enjoyed by all involved. $100 solidly given to McMaster.

2017

A unique year. We were supported by Black Knight Games here in Hamilton, Ontario, and played tabletop RPGs all day. Special thanks to my co-GM Jim for running his specialised universe, and being a player in my ShadowRun game. $500 raised that year, but due to my penchant for failing to make sure my offline donations are accounted for, no Silver Medal. Not that I minded.

2018

Teamed up with another store, Torchlight Games and Hobbies in Burlington. We played mostly WarHammer, 40,000 Space Marine intending a completionist run. Some achievements made that impossible, and a visit from some surprise guests had us deviate a little. But $400+ for McMaster says we went about things well.

2019

A different small event nearly every month(destroyed PC thanks to the dog, and major life schedule change with new job), and it was our first year cracking $1,000 raised for McMaster Children's Hospital with the ultimate event, a first time Drunk Souls play. Didn't get far, but for 12 hours, 65 deaths/drinks, and an amazing support team made it all fantastic! As part of that support team was Angie Nash, Dan M, Marko L, Nick T of the Nickscast, and all you generous supporters out there. This set the new floor for what I was willing to consider success.

2020

The year it all changed. I mean, not Extra Life. Just..... EVERYTHING ELSE! As of April, the entire world was acknowledging the COVID-19 Pandemic. Not effectively, but they were mostly willing to admit it was a thing. This meant a return to a one time event given my very demanding job hours. It had to pivot very early in, but we still had an over $1,000 year(thanks to an incredibly generous $800 donation from an anonymous donor), and had some great interactions during the event. It was also a year I got back to regular streaming!

2021

Well, I tried for more events, again. But too much was going on to make it stick like I'd wanted. But several were still very successful. I finally beat the original Half-Life for the first time(Overrated, IMO), and I played all the main line Super Mario games up to Sunshine to one extent or another. and this year marks the $1k hat trick!

2022

The year of Drunk Souls. The year we first broke $2,000 raised in a single year! A year of great success despite all the things that made my life unstable at this time. A year I am so grateful to have received such support through, and been able to accomplish this.

2023

We moved from punishing my liver to punishing my tongue - Bloodburn was the name of the game. Hot Sauce ordered from the Hot Ones Season 22 pack, and Bloodborne. You folks paid over $1,600 in a single day to see me set my mouth on fire. And with a healthy $600 raised before that, we had our second best year at $2,260. But does anyone remember what I did for Tabletop Weekend? Because I can not.

Please Remember

Everything you donate will go entirely to McMaster Children's Hopsital. I won't see it, Extra Life won't see it, strictly McMaster. So please, help us keep kids healthy enough to see their turn at doing things like this.