April Arellano, a Children’s Miracle Network ‘Champion Child,’ would be making an appearance as part of ArenaNet’s Extra Life Game Day event.
In November, the ArenaNet MMO Guild Wars 2(opens in a new tab) will have a new NPC drawn from real life: April Arellano, a Children’s Miracle Network Champion child, that will be added to the game as part of the Extra Life Game Day party organized by the studio
Arellano’s right leg was amputated when she was 15 months old due to septic shock induced by pneumonia. According to her CMN biography, “April happily navigates the world with a prosthetic leg” (opens in new tab).”She appreciates singalongs, dancers, and making appearances in local theater productions. The Arellanos borrowed April’s life from CHOC and the innumerable doctors and nurses who treated the woman as if she was their own daughter.”
Arellano will be known as April the Mesmer Wunderkind in Guild Wars 2, a skillful Mesmer (a magical duelist who specializes in illusion) and “serial meddler” born in the village of Garenhoff, just outside Divinity’s Reach. ArenaNet asserted that the character has been formed in cooperation with the real-life April and her parents, but the full reveal will take place during a 24-hour Extra Life Game Day stream(opens in new tab) on November 4. It did, however, reveal that April will be voiced in Guild Wars 2 by famed voice Jennifer Hale (opens in new tab).
“We’re truly excited for everyone to plunge into April’s little adventure during our Extra Life Game Day,” wrote narrative designer Indigo Boock. “I don’t want to reveal too many specifics just yet, but I can say that going to talk with April Lynn and having to learn about her story was a huge pleasure. Her confidence immediately inspired me (and her dance moves, of course). April’s in-game character is resilient, brave, and enchanting she is nothing compared to her namesake. We can’t wait for you to see our little Mesmer’s shenanigans for oneself.”
Extra Life (opens in new tab) is a campaign administered for and by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals that raises funds through 24-hour gaming live streams held each year by individuals and game companies. Extra Life has raised more than $100 million for CMN hospitals from across USA and Canada since its launch in 2008 (it became a CMN Hospitals program in 2010).
