Taking a trip to the hospital and having to stay overnight or longer is never a fun time, especially for children. But, thanks to a gift from
Child's Play Charity, it is going to be a little more enjoyable for those children in the pediatric unit at
Marquette General Hospital.
The charity donated $50,000 worth of in-kind gifts that included video games and equipment, movies and toys.
The Seattle, Wash., based Childs Play Charity organized Child's Play eight years ago. It's a game industry charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with toys and games in a network of 60 hospitals across the world.
"It's unbelievable," says Sarah Harnett, child life specialist for the hospital. "We never expected to receive this many gifts. One thousand seven hundred and fifty-six games? Our kids will love all of this."
MGH received four X-Box video game units, six Nintendo DS XL units, 16 Nintendo DS Lites and 1,756 Xbox and DS games.
"The Nintendo DS systems have made a huge impact on the way a child views coming to and returning to the hospital," Harnett says. "Several children have come to the hospital for one reason or another and used the DS during their stay. They had to return to the hospital, and rather than have anxiety about their impending hospital visit, they were excited about what DS game they're going to play."
The systems do more than just entertain, however.
"Some children keep playing DS while waiting in the OR," she adds. "It's a great way to decrease the over stimulation of that environment, especially for children with special needs. Having additional DS systems in more areas where children are present will change the way a pediatric stay is viewed through a child's eyes … it will reduce anxiety and normalize the experience for pediatric patients."
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Sarah Hartnett, Marquette General Hospital
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