Saskatoon man eyes gaming prize for Children's Hospital of Saskatchewan

A tournament taking place this week brings together gamers with the children they are helping through their fundraising and competing.

Saskatoon's Nolan Blackstock is taking part in the Extra Life United competition in Orlando, Fla., from Thursday to Saturday.

"You're able to see the results of what you're doing and it's so phenomenal."

It's the second year Blackstock has been part of the competition, raising money for the Saskatchewan Children's Hospital which is currently being built in Saskatoon.

• Weyburn family donates $1M to Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan

• Construction of Children's Hospital of Saskatchewan 33% done

The competition, which features both tabletop and video games, takes place at the same time as the convention for the Children's Miracle Network. Blackstock said the "champion children" and their families who are attending the convention get to come meet the competitors.

"That's one of the benefits of having the kids there, having met some of the families that have participated in this. We're constantly reminded why we're doing this."

Calla Gross is the champion child representing Saskatchewan at this year's convention.

Gross was born 13 weeks early and has had many emergency room visits over the years. Her profile on the Children's Miracle Network website says since she was four, Gross has donated her birthday and piggy bank money to help kids like her get better.

• Saskatchewan Rush add 11-year-old honourary player for game

That's one of the benefits of having the kids there we're constantly reminded why we're doing this.- Nolan Blackstock

There are a lot of opportunities for competitors to win money for their respective hospital, Blackstock explained.

Each of the dozen games in the competition has a prize pool. The winner of each game also gets to go on to a final tournament. Plus, there are mystery challenges that will take place for further prizes.

Though this is only his second year in the tournament, Blackstock has supported Extra Life for four years. Every year, it holds a 24-hour Game Day marathon to raise money for children's hospitals.

Game Day 2017 is Nov. 4.