Starlight Children’s Foundation and Actor Stephen Stanton Donate Starlight Fun Centers to Northridge Hospital Medical Center
The Fun Centers will be donated as part of a social media fundraising campaign by Stanton and his fans online with matching funds provided by Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Powered by the latest WiiU system from Nintendo, the Starlight Fun Centers offer online access to family friendly video games, movies, documentaries, educational content and streaming television programs. Fun Centers roll anywhere indoors to provide seriously ill or injured children and their families with the healing power of play through hours of fun, distraction and a much-needed sense of normalcy while in the hospital.
According to Morinsola Keshinro, Certified Child Life Specialist at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, “We are happy to receive these Nintendo Wii Fun centers to support the pediatric population in our hospital. They are an invaluable tool that provides normalization and distraction in what can be a challenging hospital environment. Play is an important part of development and the healing process. These systems motivate patients to socialize, engage in alternative focus away and allow for enjoyment in the midst of situations that otherwise would not be enjoyable. Especially for patients that may have limited mobility or are unable to leave their room, it is another great option engage patients in activity at the bedside.”
Doctors, nurses, and child life staff integrate the Starlight Fun Center into physical therapy and other treatments often reducing the need for pain medication, shortening hospital stays and enhancing the overall healing experience for children.
For more information about the Starlight Fun Center and other Starlight programs that provide the best in entertainment, educational and one-of-a-kind experiences for hospitalized children, please contact Samantha Martinez, Director of Programs, at [email protected] or (424) 245-3665.
About Starlight Children’s Foundation
Starlight’s mission is to brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their families by turning pain, fear and stress into laughter, fun and joy – because a sick kid is still a kid at heart. Founded in 1982 by Peter Samuelson and Emma Samms, Starlight has helped more than 60 million critically, chronically and terminally ill or injured children in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK by providing programs that offer the best in entertainment, education and one-of-a-kind experiences. Steven Spielberg serves as the organization’s Chairman Emeritus. Learn more at www.starlight.org and follow Starlight on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
ABOUT DIGNITY HEALTH – NORTHRIDGE HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER
Founded in 1955, Dignity Health – Northridge Hospital Medical Center is a 394-bed, acute care, nonprofit community hospital located in Northridge, California. The hospital offers a full complement of award winning services, including the Leavey Cancer Center, a Cardiovascular Center, the Center for Assault Treatment Services, a Neuroscience Center of Excellence, a pediatric medical center, and the only pediatric trauma center in the San Fernando Valley. The hospital shares a legacy of humankindness with Dignity Health, one of the nation’s five largest health care systems.
Publish date:
Monday, July 09, 2018