"When kids are hospitalized, it can be a scary and stressful experience. That's why Starlight exists. Through donor-funded programs, Starlight unleashes the healing power of play to help kids feel a little more comfortable during their hospital stay while improving their well-being. Studies show that happiness can help patients recover faster and with fewer complications," said Adam Garone, CEO of Starlight Children's Foundation. "This important fundraising campaign supports our mission of delivering happiness to hospitalized kids and their families, helping make the journey to recovery a little brighter."
Play is an essential part of childhood. But for hospitalized kids, it may look different. When play is at the heart of a child's treatment, it can have a substantial positive effect, from reducing pain levels to helping kids feel prepared and comply with treatments.
Through longstanding partnerships, including Nintendo of America and Radio Flyer, among others, Starlight offers its vital programs – like Starlight Gaming, Starlight Radio Flyer Hero Wagons, Starlight Hospital Gowns, and Toy Deliveries – free of charge to its nationwide network of children's hospitals and healthcare facilities. Funds raised through the Power of Play campaign will go toward placing Starlight programs at partner hospitals across the country.
Key Highlights of the Power of Play Campaign:
- March 7 – March 10: A community streaming event to raise $50K by MAR10 Day on March 10. The kick-off event commencing on March 7 on Starlight's Twitch channel will usher in an exciting lineup of live streams featuring popular creators such as Smirky, NinePointFive, sistakaren, and many others.
- March 10 – March 31: Starlight hosts its annual Spring Stream fundraising event on Twitch with over 100 content creators.
- Child Life Specialist Month: Collaborative storytelling to celebrate and highlight the critical work of child life specialists at Starlight partner hospitals who utilize Starlight programs to help care for pediatric patients.
- Anatomy Gown Deliveries: Educational-themed hospital gowns provide kids access to digital game-based learning activities with a QR code featured on the fabric. The "Anatomy" gown is a boldly colored design of the organ system of the human body and aims to inspire kids to learn about their bodies.
Starlight Children's Foundation invites individuals, corporations, and the community to support Starlight's Power of Play campaign and make a lasting impact on the lives of children facing illness.
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. Happy kids heal faster.
Learn more at starlight.org and follow Starlight on social media @starlightchildrensfoundation.
SOURCE Starlight Children’s Foundation
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