Christian Couple to Play Xbox 360 Games in 24-Hour Fundraiser
Wife's Crohn's Disease Not Standing in Way of Helping Children's Hospitals
An Ohio couple determined to not let health problems get in the way of their ministry work will be playing Xbox 360 games from their home in a nationwide charity event for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital Saturday.
Jeremy Caverley and his wife, Miranda, will be in front of their video game screen for three hours as part of the Extra Life G3 (Gaming and Giving for Good) 24-hour fundraiser. Gamers are able to choose which hospital they would like the money collected from their sponsors to go to.
The Caverleys, who live in the city of Chillicothe and are no strangers to hospitals themselves, chose to help Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
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Miranda Caverley, 30, who has been suffering bad health during the last four years, was only recently diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, an autoimmune disorder with an unknown cause. Prior to her diagnosis, the couple was in and out of hospitals and doctors' offices, trying to find a reason for severe stomach pain, chronic fatigue, and severe dehydration that at times led to her collapsing to the ground.
Jeremy Caverley, 31, is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran who has returned to college in an effort to make himself more marketable as an employee in tough economic times. In addition to having a ministry that helps clothe and feed the homeless in their area, the couple has a weekly online talk show, JMC Live. The show includes discussions on current cultural issues as they relate to Christians.
“Since my wife is very ill and unable to physically do an event such as a walk or run, the gaming event seemed to be a better fit,” said Caverley, who was homeless at times as a teen. “As a child, I had several IVs, as I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and other sicknesses. I remember colonoscopies and days in the hospital trying to get hydrated.”
Caverley, who said he often plays Xbox in between classes and ministry work, hopes that in addition to raising funds for children with health problems, the gaming event will also honor those who work in hospitals.
Extra Life began in 2008 as a way of trying to help a young girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Members of Sarcastic Gamer Community sent in video games and gifts in an effort to keep the girl’s spirits up during numerous hospital stays and three bouts with the disease. She later died from the illness.
After a 24-hour video game marathon to raise money for the hospital that treated the girl, one of the leaders of the gamer group began to work full-time for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals as its Radiothon Director. Extra Life, through the network, now offers the chance for people across the nation to help their local hospitals.
Earlier this year, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ partnered with Microsoft to create Extra Life G3 (Gaming and Giving for Good) to support Extra Life.
Caverley plans to do a broadcast of the couple’s gaming fundraiser Saturday, from 6 to 9 p.m. EDT, in the style of a TV telethon on their website, jmclive.com. He said they plan to play games such as Portal 2, Kinect Adventures, Plants vs. Zombies, Final Fantasy 13, UFC Trainer, and Marvel vs. Capcom 3.
“I am excited about participating in the event because for three years I have not been able to be a part of something like this because of my disease,” Miranda Caverley said. “My hope by participating in the Extra Life event is to not only raise funds and awareness about the Children's Miracle Network Hospital, but also to say that even if you have a debilitating disease like Crohn's, you can still make a difference.”
Jeremy Caverley said this was also an opportunity to show the love of God.
“As children of Jesus Christ, we feel that this is a blessing to reach out across America and Canada ... to be the hands and feet He has called us to be,” he said. “We feel that kids need the most help, because who else can speak for them?”
