Nintendo and Starlight Bring Much Needed Fun to Hospitalized Children
Nationwide; Actress Mena Suvari Unveils All-New Fun Centers
LOS ANGELES -Oct. 29, 2002- At a time when holiday shoppers are
top-of-mind for most companies, Nintendo of America Inc. renews its
commitment to putting electronic fun in more important places than just
store shelves - hospitals.
Nintendo and Starlight Children's Foundation today commemorate their
12-year partnership, plus the millions of smiles generated from the Fun
Center program, with the launch of all-new Fun Centers, state-of-the-art
mobile entertainment units designed specifically for hospitalized
children. Actress Mena Suvari (American Beauty, American Pie), longtime
Starlight international board member Howard Davine, several pediatric
patients and Nintendo video game star Mario headlined a ribbon-cutting
ceremony at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles to commence the national
roll-out of the newly designed Fun Center, featuring a Nintendo GameCube
and Sharp AQUOS Liquid Crystal Television with DVD player.
"We are honored to be the first to receive the newest model from
Nintendo," said Doug Leffin, BA, clinical child life specialist,
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Patient & Family Services. "Fun
Centers provide a necessary escape from the challenges faced by pediatric
patients, plus they give children who may have limited mobility an
opportunity to exercise a sense of power and control. This diversion
holds a therapeutic value while enhancing a hospitalized child's
self-esteem."
Fun Centers allow patients to cultivate friendships and have more
normalized social interaction. Sergio and Juan, two patients who have
become friends during their hospital stay in the Department of
Rehabilitation at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles have many positive
things to say about the Fun Centers. "Sometimes I challenge other
kids to a game and I make new friends," said 14-year-old Sergio.
"It helps me get `un-bored'," added 11-year-old Juan.
With the launch of 500 all-new Fun Centers nationwide, Nintendo affirms
its belief in Starlight's work with a charitable contribution surpassing
$3 million. Each month, more than 118,000 hospitalized children across
the nation will benefit from the Fun Center program.
"Nintendo is deeply committed to having every hospitalized child
possible benefit from Fun Centers," said Phil Rogers, executive vice
president, Operations, Nintendo of America Inc. "By partnering with
Starlight, Nintendo can do what it does best in bringing happiness and
laughter to the everyday lives of kids."
Fun Centers provide hours of enjoyment and an opportunity for sick kids
to relax and temporarily forget their pain. With Nintendo GameCube hits
such as Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion, and Wave Race: Blue Storm,
among others, and a variety of age-appropriate DVDs, the Fun Center is a
welcome hospital visitor.
"Through Nintendo's strategic manufacturing and wealth of knowledge
about kids," said Kip Crennan, president, international board of
directors, Starlight Children's Foundation, "we began a brilliant
partnership that endures to this day as a shining example of how senior
executives can embrace the public good in their corporation's best
ethical interest."
Over the past decade, Starlight has placed more than 3,000 Fun Centers
with Nintendo game systems in more than 1,000 hospitals across the
country -- a number that brings Nintendo and Starlight closer to meeting
the ever-increasing need for Fun Centers, according to a recent survey of
pediatric facilities conducted by Boston Consulting Group. In addition,
caregivers have reported important quality-of-life benefits for patients
who use the Fun Centers, such as reduced need for pain medicine and lower
levels of stress, boredom and loneliness.
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