Trend Micro supports Children's Health through gaming

For cybersecurity company Trend Micro, global citizenship — the idea that individuals should contribute to the broader community — and philanthropy are part of the company's culture.

So, when an employee at their Dallas office introduced the Extra Life fundraising program, leadership quickly approved.

"We are a part of our communities — it is our responsibility to take care of them," said Kate Muckenthaler, platform strategist and fundraising manager at Trend Micro.

Unlike most Extra Life fundraisers who play video or board games, Trend Micro Dallas hosts a hot wings challenge where one person interviews another while both take bites of progressively spicier wings. The heat acts as a "truth serum," leading to more candid, entertaining interviews streamed online to garner more support, Kate said.

"People like to watch the reaction of the participants," Kate said.

Trend Micro also supports Children's Health through golf and pickleball tournaments — and an online peer-to-peer fundraising page.

Over the last seven years, the Dallas office has raised more than $25,000, most recently supporting the new Dallas pediatric campus, a joint investment between Children's Health and UT Southwestern Medical Center, to meet the needs of the growing North Texas pediatric population.

"A new campus that's bigger, more modern and has more resources means that more patients will be treated and cared for," Kate said. "If you want to support Children's Health but don't know where to start, Extra Life is perfect. Anyone can do it: Create an account, log in, donate and you're done."