Nintendo of America

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. Feelings of anxiety multiply as the hours pass, often at a dreadfully slow pace. For children, these difficult emotions are magnified by uncertainty about their treatment and worry over why their parents seem so upset.

That's why Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation partnered with Nintendo of America more than 15 years ago to create Fun Center mobile entertainment units. Including a flat-screen TV, video game console and DVD player, each Fun Center can be rolled right up to the side of young patient's beds or anywhere in a hospital setting. 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 provide a welcome respite.

This year, Starlight and Nintendo are proud to unveil a new version of the Fun Center featuring the hot-selling Nintendo Wii system (specially customized for hospital use) along with a Sharp AQUOS LCD flat-panel television and DVD player. This latest Fun Center lets users control the action on-screen with the motion-sensing Wii Remote, so even kids who aren't able to leave their beds or who have limited mobility can play with ease. Wii's innovative control scheme is also a useful tool for encouraging children to do their physical therapy and motor coordination exercises.

Research indicates that children who engage in Fun Center programs enjoy a variety of benefits: perceived decrease in pain and anxiety; greater willingness to return for treatment; alleviation of stress, loneliness and isolation that often accompany prolonged illness or injury. Caregivers report that Fun Center use may even result in a reduced need for pain medication. Nintendo is manufacturing 1,250 new Wii Fun Centers this year, and Starlight expects to have about 500 of them placed in hospitals by the end of the year. For more information on how to donate a Fun Centers, visit www.starlight.org/sponsorfuncenter.

Get Involved

Though there are more than 4,000 Fun Centers in hospitals across North America, the need is great; hundreds of hospitals are waiting for Fun Centers right now. 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 customized adhesive sign permanently affixed to the Fun Center, showcasing their generosity for years to come. Donate your own Wii Fun Center!