Maine kids connect online to “Play with a Pro”

This past Saturday, two dozen kids from around Maine- including a few patients of The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital- met up online to play games with professional ESports gamers and streamers from around the country. The Play with a Pro team organized the online fundraiser after their “live” event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

From 9AM-9PM Pro gamers hosted rounds of Rocket League, Fortnite, Overwatch, and Minecraft. The kids had a blast, got to learn tips and tricks, and asked questions of their new gaming mentors while they played. According to Carter, a BBCH patient from Augusta, the best part of the day was “going under the dome [in Minecraft] and making a bunch of animals and naming them all. The whole day was awesome; a lot of fun!”

Our buddy Brayden- who is currently representing BBCH as the 2020 CMN Hospitals Champion- had a lot to say about his Play with a Pro experience, too: “My favorite part about Play With A Pro as a whole is that I get to hang out and play with kids, and my disabilities aren’t front and center. No one notices my braces or wheelchair, that I can’t run as fast as other 12 year olds or play soccer, they just know that I am a great Minecraft or Fortnite player and I am encouraging of my fellow players and a bit silly but I am on an equally playing field with other kiddos and that is so important to because there are so many other areas of my life that my diagnosis is the biggest part of it.”

Braydne continues, “My favorite part of the Play With A Pro March 2020 event was that I got to learn how to play a new game, Rocket League, and the be a part of the behind the scenes and building the server with other fellow BBCH kids. We met weekly and collaborated, chatted, and were just goofy kids hanging out despite the fact that some were having nebulizer treatments or working around our doctor or OT/PT schedules.  It was something to look forward to, having other kids that understand the challenges that come with being a sick kid and becoming such great buddies with them.”

Play with a Pro is an Extra Life team who raises funds in support of The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital (BBCH). Their unique event concept is built around getting kids to play with professional ESports gamers and streamers, and this past Saturday’s event was just their most recent fundraiser. More than $1,000 was raised this weekend, bringing their 2020 fundraising total to over $4,000 in support of BBCH! We can’t wait for the next event!