Child’s Play: Put your money where your mouse is!

An easy way to get started is by supporting Child’s Play, http://www.childsplaycharity.org/, a children’s charity that was founded in 2003 by the wonderfully creative folks that bring us the Penny Arcade web comic. In just two short years, this amazing project has blossomed into a full-blown phenomenon that gives comfort and joy to patients and their families in hospitals throughout North America.

Research has shown that patients who play videogames require less medication, heal faster and have improved pain management as illustrated in these articles: 

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Management of Pain

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Non-Pharmacological Pain Management Therapies for Children  

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More articles on pain management and treatments

Child’s Play isn’t just about games. Through Amazon.com, donations for a wide variety of items that include videos, music, toys and books as well as games and game systems can be purchased and shipped directly to the hospital of choice. This is one of many clever ways the Penny Arcade team has devised to ensure that they make good on their pledge that every cent donated to the charity goes straight to the kids. There’s no wasteful overhead, no mysterious administrative cost. 

Even if you’re down to your last few gold pieces, credits or clink, there are still many ways you can help.

– Post fliers in your favorite game and book stores, office or school. A ready-made PDF version is available at http://www.childsplaycharity.org/.

– Also at http://www.childsplaycharity.org/ are banners to display on your website.

– Include a link or banner to Child’s Play in your message board signature.

– Mention Child’s Play in your online journal or blog.

Please help Tyco and Gabe in their efforts to help bring some gaming goodness and joy into the lives of some very special people who need it. You can make a difference.

Best wishes and happy questing,