My name is Ben Cohen, and I am an eighteen-year-old student from Chicago. Throughout my life, I have found gaming in all forms to be an almost therapeutic exercise as my father struggled with kidney cancer. When he was officially diagnosed with the disease in 2001, our shared love of gaming became our closest bond, as we spent whole weekends battling in intense games of Risk and fell asleep in front of the computer playing Civilization.

After years of battling with the disease through countless surgeries and procedures, my father passed away on May 4, four years ago. On this anniversary of his death, I have found a way to honor our shared love of gaming while helping others who are suffering with the same disease I watched my father battle for most of my life.

As Magic: The Gathering becomes increasingly popular, so too does the live-streaming of the game through Magic Online. I will be joining the ranks of MTG streamers with a unique motive: to raise money for the Kidney Cancer Association, with 100% of all money raised being received by the charity. During streams on my channel, donations are encouraged and appreciated. All donations are sent directly to the Kidney Cancer Association to fund research and treatment of kidney cancer around the world and to create support groups for struggling patients and families. Donations of any amount are accepted, and donation is in no way required.

Let's show the world that gaming can be more than just a hobby, pastime, or lifestyle. Let's come together as a community and try to change the lives of others for the better.

Streaming will begin on Saturday, May 24 from 5:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. at www.twitch.tv/MTGvsCancer.

For additional information about the Kidney Cancer Association, visit www.kidneycancer.org.

To learn more about my father, click here.

Thanks for reading. I hope to see you on May 24!