QuakeCon 2017 has announced that it is partnering with six different charities for special events during its annual gathering of gamers at the Gaylord Texan Hotel and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, beginning on August 24. And be prepared to roll up your sleeve to give some of your own blood, as the video game pixelated kind won't cut it.

This year's charity events include:

• A blood drive for the American Red Cross, on August 25-26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Texas time) in Fort Worth rooms 5-7 at the convention center. Give blood and get an Evil Within 2 branded ice pack. Donors must be at least 17 years old and meet Red Cross eligibility requirements for giving blood.
• A silent auction at booth #105 at the convention center will benefit 1UpOnCancer. You can also sign up to win a special Skyrim Xbox One signed by the dev team.
• Dallas Pets Alive will let slip the dogs of adoption and booth 116. Come to QuakeCon and go home with a dog. The booth will also have info and resources on the prevention of killing companion animals.
• Extra Life will be on hand seeking participants for its upcoming 2017 24-hour gaming marathon charity drive at booth 106. Money raised from the event will go to Children's Miracle Network hospitals.
• At booth 115, the nonPareil Institute, which benefits adults on the autism spectrum, will be hosting lightning round matches of Lightwire, a game created by members at the institute. There will also be a VR demo of Light of Mine, developed by the group as well. Prizes will be given each day.
• Finally, Bethesda has partnered with GameChanger, a group using technology to ease the pain and suffering of child with life-threatening illnesses, will hold an online event for anyone that can't make it to QuakeCon. Visit the live stream at Tiltify beginning on August 24 for a chance to win Quake 1, Quake 2 and Quake Live digital codes.

“We’re honored to host a variety of charities at QuakeCon this year, giving our attendees more opportunities to support a cause that they really connect with,” Bethesda VP of PR and Marketing Pete Hines said in a press release. “Seeing the community band together to support these organizations has become one of the highlights of our show.”

In case you missed it, check out this Quake Champions Interview with Tim Willits @ QuakeCon 2016.

QuakeCon runs August 24-27 this year. More than 8,600 people attended last year's event.