Helpful Pixels

Streaming for charity – and for each other

Three times a year, Helpful Pixels organises charity streams on Twitch. These events bring together streamers, moderators, sponsors and viewers in a shared mission: to raise funds and awareness for causes that matter.

Each stream is full of fun content, challenges, games and surprises – but always with a clear purpose behind the pixels.

Helpful Pixels is a lot more than fundraising. It’s a community of gamers who support each other every day.

Whether chatting on Discord or meeting up at conventions, members share more than a love of games – they share a sense of belonging.

“Our server is a safe space,” says the team. “Many of us have found friends for life here. Helpful Pixels is a place where you can be yourself and make a difference – all while doing what you love.”

Changing the perception of gamers

Gamers usually have a bad reputation among those that don’t game themselves – there’s a stigma that gamers are lazy and only care about themselves and their games.

This is far from the truth, and Helpful Pixels wants to change the negative view on gamers by using online culture and the passion of gaming to raise money and awareness for charity.  

– We believe that gamers have so much to give and that we can make the world a better place together!,” says the team behind Helpful Pixels. “The creativity that exists among content creators makes each fundraiser unique, fun and interesting without losing focus on the importance of the causes we are fundraising for and spreading awareness upon.

Why cancer research matters 

This autumn, Helpful Pixels is raising funds for the Swedish Cancer Society, a cause close to the hearts of many members.

Sara “Kommissaarien” Forslund, who leads this campaign, shares her personal story:

– My older brother had Hodgkin’s lymphoma as a teenager. It was a traumatic time for our family, but he recovered. Sadly, a few years later, my mum was diagnosed with lung cancer. She passed away in 2020. Like many others in the community, I know how devastating cancer can be.

– A majority of Helpful Pixels members are personally affected by cancer, which is why we at Helpful Pixels want to contribute towards cancer research.

– It’s always a tragedy to lose someone near and dear to cancer and for lives to be cut short, and we are hoping that our contribution will lead to that fewer people are affected and more survive cancer.

What does a charity stream look like?

Each fundraiser is organised by a dedicated project team that coordinates everything from stream schedules and graphic design to sponsorships and moderation.

The event is hosted on Helpful Pixels’ Twitch channel, where streamers take turns broadcasting games or activities. Viewers can donate to unlock fun challenges and incentives for the streamers – from silly dares to community rewards.

Safety and inclusivity are top priorities. Moderators keep the chat friendly, welcoming and safe, making the stream feel like a digital living room where everyone is invited. There are giveaways, milestones, raffles and plenty of wholesome moments along the way.

– The best part is the feeling of unity,” says one member. “Everyone is working together for the same goal. It’s magical.

Helpful Pixels hosts three major fundraising events every year – one in spring or summer, one in autumn and one close to Christmas. No two streams are alike, but they all share one thing in common: a commitment to making a difference.