DonateGames.org takes games, fights rare diseases

by: Randy - posted: 2/26/2009 10:58:00 PM

Look, GameSpot GameStop (those names are way too easy to typo) was only going to give you $1.25 for that two-year-old copy of Madden anyway.  You might as well put that old game to better use.  DonateGames.org is starting up their own used-game donation center in order to fund research for an orphan disease.  ("Orphan disease" is the term for a category of diseases, including Chordoma, Progeria, etc. that are extremely rare and usually debilitating or life threatening. Because there may be only 10 people in the world suffering from that disease at any one time, these patients are medical “orphans,” with little funding or public support for cures.)  Just drop your games into a padded envelope and mail to:

Donate Games
30 Enterprise, Suite 190
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

You'll get a tax-deductible receipt for your donation, plus (although this isn't quite setup yet) you can buy your next game from them, too.  I didn't dig all over their site, so I don't know what percentage of the proceeds go to fighting disease.  But as a general rule of thumb, be sure to thoroughly research any organization you plan on giving money (and/or games) to.

[EDIT:  Special thanks to Carolyn Carnes, Principal of FlashFire Communications, who cleared up my embarrassing level of ignorance surrounding this charity's aim--and especially for defining what an "orphan disease" is.  Also note that Donate Games is a .org site, not a .com.]

 

NEW GAMING CHARITY HELPS FIGHT RARE DISEASES

 

Donate Games Launches, Now Accepting Your Used Video Games

   

 Aliso Viejo, Calif. - Feb. 26, 2009 - Are you tired of trading in your used games at retail stores for pennies on the dollar? Are you looking for a new site to purchase used games at low prices? Do you want to help change the lives of people around the world? The new gaming charity Donate Games opened its doors today and if you answered "yes" to any of these questions, it needs your help.

An orphan disease is a rare disease affecting less than .05% of the world's population, typically genetic in origin and either life-threatening or chronically debilitating. Because of their rarity, orphan diseases are often overlooked for funding and public support.

 

Donate Games is a new charity dedicated to funding research for orphan diseases and supporting those affected by them through the donation and resale of used video games. In addition to raising funds for research on these rare disorders, Donate Games will promote awareness and provide advisory services to the general public.

Donate Games was conceived by IT industry veteran Jim Carol and his wife Cynthia after their son's diagnosis with a rare form of leukemia, called Philadelphia Chromosome, in 2006, now in remission. "We were lucky," said Carol. "Treatments and community support really made a difference for him. But, we met others at the treatment centers that had little hope, suffering from even rarer life-threatening conditions, without research funding, effective treatments or support networks. By launching Donate Games and connecting with the vibrant gaming community so near and dear to my own professional background, now we can help them, too."

 

"Gamers already have an amazing capacity to give," adds Josh Sommer, a spokesman for Donate Games and founder of the Chordoma Foundation, one of the benefiting organizations of the new charity. "All we're really doing is making it as easy as possible for gamers to support others and get funding to those who so desperately need it. Donate games, buy games, save lives - it's that simple."

For more information about Donate Games, volunteer opportunities or to donate used games, visit www.DonateGames.org.