Starlight Children's Foundation and Valnet Unite to Deliver Happiness to Hospitalized Kids

Partnership includes $50,000 fundraising goal with $25,000 matching gift to help transform pediatric hospital experiences.

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Starlight Children's Foundation, the nation's broadest-reaching nonprofit focused on sick kids, today announced a new partnership with Valnet – a global digital media investment company known for its portfolio of more than 27 brands across gaming, technology, entertainment, automotive, aviation, lifestyle, travel, and sports.

"On behalf of Starlight Children's Foundation, I'm honored and thrilled that Valnet has joined our community to help advance our mission of delivering happiness to seriously ill kids and their families," said Adam Garone, CEO of Starlight Children's Foundation. "This partnership is a natural fit for Starlight, as Valnet's extensive entertainment and gaming community aligns perfectly with Starlight's gaming program. Together, we're committed to transforming the hospital experience for pediatric patients by unlocking the healing power of play through gaming."

"As a father, I know how hard it is to watch a child go through difficult moments," echoes Hassan Youssef, CEO of Valnet. "Families who spend long stretches in the hospital carry an incredible burden, and Gaming 4 Good is our way of rallying our platforms, partners, and readers to bring some light to those children and their families." 

Valnet is one of the world's largest digital media investment companies, reaching more than 200 million readers monthly through its portfolio of 27+ brands. Its properties include some of the internet's most influential names in gaming, such as Polygon, TheGamer, and GameRant, as well as leading destinations in entertainment, technology, automotive, lifestyle, travel, and sports. With a combined social footprint of more than 165 million followers, Valnet leverages its scale and storytelling expertise to inform, entertain, and inspire communities across the globe.

To celebrate the announcement of its partnership, Valnet launched Gaming 4 Good, a fundraising campaign with a $50,000 goal, which includes a $25,000 match from the digital media investment company. Funds raised will support Starlight's work to integrate gaming and play into pediatric medical care, delivering programs, like Starlight Gaming, to partner hospitals and care facilities nationwide.

Gaming provides a welcome escape from the pain and stress of medical procedures, creating a sense of normalcy in an unfamiliar environment. Gaming also fosters connection and trust with care teams, which can improve treatment compliance and lead to better health outcomes.

The nonprofit established its gaming program in 1992. Today, the gaming program includes the Starlight Gaming Station and Handheld, powered by the Nintendo Switch™, which meet hospitals' strict infection safety protocols and can easily move from room to room.

Even in the best possible care, hospitalization can be a traumatic and isolating experience for kids. That's why Starlight exists. The nonprofit works to make hospital stays a little more comfortable by offering its donor-funded programs free of charge to its nationwide network of over 800 children's hospitals and care facilities.

According to Garone, partnering with Valnet will help strengthen its efforts to unite gaming and fandom communities through storytelling that celebrates their shared values and impact.

To learn more about this exciting partnership and to help Starlight deliver happiness to sick kids and their families, visit https://www.valnetinc.com/en/gaming4good.

About Starlight Children's Foundation
Hospital stays can be lonely, stressful and scary. That's why Starlight exists. Founded in 1982, Starlight Children's Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization that aims to deliver happiness to seriously ill children and their families through vital programs that impact millions of kids annually. Donor-funded and offered free of charge to hospitals and families, Starlight programs unleash the power of play, empowering kids with a renewed sense of optimism, resilience and courage. Starlight is a top-rated charity committed to the equitable allocation of programs to its nationwide hospital network. Healing begins with happiness™.

Learn more at starlight.org and follow Starlight on social media @starlightchildrensfoundation.
Contact: Rick Jardiolin, Sr. Director of Public Relations
415-794-9349 | [email protected]

About Valnet
Valnet Inc. is a global digital media company that specializes in acquiring and growing online brands. With a portfolio spanning more than 27 vertical-leading publications, Valnet reaches over 200 million readers worldwide every month. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Valnet's mission is to deliver world-class content that informs, entertains, and engages audiences, while providing partners with innovative opportunities to connect with highly engaged communities across gaming, entertainment, tech, automotive, lifestyle, travel, and sports.
Contact: Laetitia Tchatat, Head of Public Relations
514-515-2354 | [email protected]

SOURCE Starlight Children’s Foundation