Extra Life Fundraiser Returns November 8, 2025
Get ready! Black Squirrel Entertainment (BSE) is bringing back its biggest event of the year! On Saturday, November 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., BSE will go live for 15 straight hours of non-stop programming in support of Extra Life, a national fundraising movement that unites gamers, creators, and communities to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The annual event is a beloved BSE tradition filled with games, challenges, and plenty of fun, all for an incredible cause.
Extra Life turns gaming into a real-life power-up for kids in need. The name itself is a nod to gaming culture where an “extra life” means another chance to keep playing, and that’s exactly what this program helps provide for children receiving care in local hospitals. Participants choose a hospital, set up a fundraising page, and “play games, their way,” from epic video game marathons to board battles and livestream events. Since its launch in 2008, Extra Life has raised more than $132 million to help give kids the ultimate bonus level: a healthier, brighter future. All proceeds from BSE’s event will benefit Akron Children’s Hospital, helping provide life-saving care for kids across Northeast Ohio.
Last year’s marathon broadcast raised $2,782.69, showcasing the incredible creativity and dedication of Kent State students. The event featured live shows, games, interviews and entertainment segments produced entirely by students in collaboration with Production and Film Distribution. It was a powerful reminder of what happens when storytelling and service come together.
This year, BSE is aiming even higher. The 2025 broadcast will once again feature a telethon-style show on KSTV, where viewers can tune in throughout the day and night to watch students perform, compete and create, all while raising money for a good cause. Donations can be made through the Extra Life website, directly through BSE’s team page, or even in the name of a participating student.
Students are also adding a friendly competition to the mix: whoever raises the most donations will take home a prize at the end of the night.
For the BSE team, the event is more than a fundraiser—it’s a celebration of creativity, teamwork and community impact. It brings together students from across Student Media to do what they do best: produce great content with heart.
Tune in to KSTV on November 8, cheer on the students as they take on 15 hours of live programming, and if you feel inspired, make a donation to support Akron Children’s Hospital.