As a young researcher at an immunology lab, Pam Omidyar spent hours examining cancer cells in her lab. In order to relax after work, she would play video games, and she began to wonder if video games could also act as therapy for children struggling with cancer. And thus began HopeLab, a nonprofit that conducts research on a range of chronic illnesses, and that produces solutions like Re-Mission, a video game that helps youth cope with their cancer.
Pam’s work is made possible by her philanthropic work with her husband, Pierre Omidyar, the founder of eBay. Together they founded the Omidyar Network, a philanthropic investment firm, which empowers people to help their own communities. Read the rest of their profile here: Pierre and Pam Omidyar.