Gamers vs. Cancer: CMU eSports raising money for American Cancer Society
Macomb sophomore Alek Smith and Milford freshman Cody Kallay compete against fellow members of the League of Legends Club March 14 in Pearce Hall. The clicking of computer keys and violent sliding of mouses is a constant sound heard at club events.
After the coronavirus pandemic shut down the in-person version of Relay for Life, the Central Michigan University eSports program is still finding a way to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
The team will do so by doing what it does best — gaming.
Members of the team will take over the team's streaming platform on Twitch and play games joining a group of 27 programs across the country for the Gamers vs. Cancer College Streaming Tournament.
Donations may be made during the stream or on the program's Tiltify page. The tournament itself began on April 2 and runs until May 13. The team has not yet officially named a start date, but it will stream late this week.
"We're doing it to have fun," said head coach and adviser Katherine Ranzenberger. "There's no specific set game anyone is supposed to play, it's just play, stream, have fun, encourage people to donate and raise some awareness for the American Cancer Society."
Gamers outside of the program looking to take over the stream may reach out to the team on its Discord server or its Twitter page or to Ranzenberger directly via email. Students looking to take over the stream need to sign an agreement with Ranzenberger to uphold the CMU Student Code of Conduct while on the stream.
"This is a great way for the esports students to stay involved and continue to play games and hang out with each other even during this time," Ranzenberger said. "It's a chance to continue that teamwork and the teambuilding they have been working on the entire semester and continue those communication skills and do it in a way that helps out the community."
Ranzenberger said two students involved with Relay for Life, Brandon McDonald and Erin Hacker, reached out to her to see if there was something they could do to continue fundraising.
Relay for Life, a significant fundraising event for the American Cancer Society, was forced to take place virtually due to COVID-19. Hacker said the virtual version of the event earned roughly $14,000, halfway short of the goal.
"With Gamers vs. Cancer being able to still take place," Hacker said, "we are not only granted with the opportunity to keep fundraising but also to tell the world that cancer never sleeps, even during a global pandemic."
McDonald has a personal connection with Relay for Life as both of his grandfathers died from two different types of cancer.
Their deaths have inspired him to do his part and offer his ability to help ACS in any way he can.
"It impacts people every day," McDonald said. "It’s something I want to bring more awareness to and work with others to raise funds to provide aid for not only patients but the families affected by cancer."
