Starlight

Background

If you've ever spent any time in a hospital either as a patient or as the loved one of a patient you know how scary and lonely it can be. The hours seem to pass at a dreadfully slow pace, especially when you aren't sure what's going to happen next. For children, worrying about why their parents seem so upset makes the experience even harder.

That's why Nintendo of America and Starlight Children's Foundation partnered more than 15 years ago to create Fun Center™ mobile entertainment units. Fun Centers can be rolled right up to the side of a young patient's bed or anywhere in a hospital setting. They help make the hospital experience a little bit less scary for children who may be anticipating surgery, enduring long outpatient treatments, waiting in the emergency room, or fighting loneliness after visiting hours have ended. Fun Centers distract children from their pain, and according to some caregivers, may even help reduce a child's need for pain medication.

The current Fun Center mobile entertainment unit model features a Wii System, DVD player and a Sharp AQUOS™ LCD television. Young patients control the action on-screen with the motion-sensing Wii Remote, which allows even those who
aren't able to leave their beds or who have limited mobility to play with ease. Plus, the new Wii technology can also be used
to encourage children to do their physical therapy and motor coordination exercises.

Get Involved

Though there are more than 6,000 Fun Centers in hospitals across North America, the need is great. There are currently
hundreds of hospitals on Starlight's Fun Center wait list.

Fun Center sponsorship is currently $4,250 which includes the cost of the unit, all taxes, shipping and administration, and repair and maintenance for the life of the Fun Center by dedicated Starlight staff. Sponsors are identified by a permanent adhesive sign on the Fun Center unit, showcasing their generosity for years to come.

For more information about Fun Center sponsorship opportunities, visit www.starlight.org/funcenter.

To view the current list of hospitals that have requested Fun Centers and are on a wait list, click here.

If you would like to sponsor a Fun Center for a specific hospital in your community or a hospital from Starlight's wait list, please contact info@starlight.org or call 1-800-315-5280.

If you are a hospital or medical facility that would like to be added to the Fun Center wait list, visit www.starlight.org/funcenter.

For more than 25 years, Starlight Children's Foundation has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses and life-altering injuries by providing entertainment, education and family activities that help them cope with the pain, fear and isolation of prolonged illness. Learn more at www.starlight.org, and stay on top of the latest Starlight news with Starlight's 365 blog.