This is the press release from Starlight Foundation that shares what went down:

 

 

BURBANK, Calif. (January 29, 2010) Joy and laughter were brought to Providence Saint Joseph’s littlest patients this week, thanks to a generous partnership of Insomniac Games and Starlight Children’s Foundation. Insomniac Games sponsored and placed a Starlight “Fun Center” in the hospital’s Emergency Department, featuring a Nintendo Wii™, DVD player and a Sharp AQUOS™ LCD TV.

 

Ted Price, Founder and CEO of Insomniac Games, Barry Wolfman, Chief Executive of Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, Brian Thorne, Executive Director of the Providence Saint Joseph Foundation, and Donna DeDario, Director of Corporate Partnerships and Communications of Starlight, as well as a number of doctors, nurses and other hospital staff members gathered in an emergency room care room to cut the ribbon on the mobile entertainment unit—put to work just seconds after by the anxious hands of young patient, Alyssa, 12, of Sun Valley.

 

The hospital had given the girl’s mother her release papers to go home, however, the sight of the Fun Center being rolled down the hallway persuaded her to stay behind for a bit.

 

Alyssa’s mother shared her own excitement from the sidelines. The Fun Center would prove to be a perfect addition to the emergency department, she said. She shared her daughter’s strategy in packing a number of items to keep her entertained and distracted during what they expected would be a long and daunting hospital visit.

 

After scrolling through a number of the Fun Centers’ videogames, Alyssa decided she wanted to bowl.

 

Hospital staff was impressed with the ease with which the Fun Center could roll right up to the side of young patients’ beds or anywhere in a hospital setting. The entertainment units are perfect for hospitalized children in numerous situations: anticipating surgery, during long outpatient clinic treatments, waiting in the emergency room, or fighting loneliness after visiting hours.

 

More than 100 individuals pass through Providence Saint Joseph’s Emergency Room each day, 35-40 of them children. The Fun Center will now be a welcomed distraction for those kids when other visitors aren’t around, uniquely countering the isolation and fear often experienced by young patients in hospitals.

 

It took Alyssa two rolls to knock down the ten pins on her first frame, earning her a spare. Her face erupted into a determined smile, and her release papers stayed tucked inside her mother’s purse. There was no time for distractions. There was a game to play.

 

Insomniac Games is an independent videogames developer that has released award-winning hits exclusively for PlayStation consoles for 15-plus years. The studio has created world-famous game franchises such as Spyro the Dragon, Ratchet & Clank and Resistance, resulting in more than 32 million games sold globally. Insomniac is also known for its collaborative workplace culture, having earned 11 local, regional and national “best places to work” honors since 2004. In January 2009, Insomniac opened a Durham, N.C. studio, which is working on an unannounced project. Additional information can be found on both Insomniac studio locations at http://www.insomniacgames.com .

 

Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, founded in 1943, is a comprehensive not-for-profit health care organization, sponsored by the Sisters of Providence. Composed of 448 licensed beds, the Burbank medical center is the largest hospital in the San Fernando Valley, with more than 650 physicians, and 2,000 employees and volunteers on staff. Providence Saint Joseph is known for its state-of-the-art technology and the high quality compassionate care provided by its physicians, nurses and ancillary staff. The Medical Center also offers services through its Cancer Center, Heart Center, Acute Rehabilitation Services, Women’s Services and Emergency Department.

 

When a child or teenager has a serious medical condition, everyone in the family is affected. For 25 years, Starlight Children’s Foundation has been dedicated to helping seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. Starlight’s programs have been proven to distract children from their pain, help them better understand and manage their illnesses, and connect families facing similar challenges so that no one feels alone. Through a network of chapters and offices, Starlight provides ongoing support to children, parents and siblings in all U.S. states and Canadian provinces with an array of outpatient, hospital-based and Web offerings. Programs are also delivered internationally through affiliates in Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom. To learn more visit www.starlight.org.