SEATTLE, April 17, 2006— On April 18, Harborview Medical Center will unveil a new Toys “R” Us Children’s Fund-Starlight Site, a state-of-the-art playroom created in partnership with the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation. The unveiling is part of a $7 million, multi-year donation made by the Toys “R” Us Children’s Fund to the Foundation for the construction and renovation of kids’ playrooms in hospitals across the country. Harborview is the only Level 1 pediatric trauma and center and burn center for within a four-state region, and their its Starlight Site will be the first one in Washington State dedicated to pediatric burn patients.
“Toys “R” Us and the Toys “R” Us Children’s Fund are committed to improving the quality of life for children,” said Mike Goldstein, Chairman of the Toys “R” Us Children’s Fund, Inc. “And through this playroom, we hope to bring much-needed joy and play time to pediatric patients at Harborview.”
With interactive games and play areas for infants, toddlers and older children, the specially designed Starlight Site will serve as a relaxing and carefree space for the hospital’s pediatric patients. Playroom amenities will include an abundance of activities, such as a mobile easel and display rails for art, an aquarium, and new toys purchased with an annual $1,000 gift card from Toys “R” Us. A computer system with flat screen monitor, multi-disc stereo CD player, and mini-basketball hoop with the Seattle Supersonics team logo will round out the playroom’s fun features. It will feature also include a custom dollhouse caddy and new dollhouse made entirely of wood.
The site will be dedicated with the assistance of pediatric patients at Harborview and their families. Additional attendees at the dedication will include local Toys “R” Us representatives, representatives from Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation and pediatric staff at Harborview. The dedication will occur from 1-2 p.m. in the burns/plastics/pediatric unit at Harborview, with an open house to follow.
Harborview’s Child Life Specialist Melissa Christiansen adds, "The new playroom is a beautiful, serene, fun-filled room where kids will be able to escape the reality of the hospital and enjoy normal play and activity,” stated Harborview’s Child Life Specialist Melissa Christiansen. “With the multiple learning and entertainment activities available, such as a reading area, infant play area, medical play cart, hospital doll house, games and toys for every stage, and a computer for kids to communicate with their school and work on homework, kids of all ages will have a variety of choices and experiences to help them cope in a positive manner with their hospital stay."
In Support of a Growing Trend
The Toys “R” Us Children’s Fund-Starlight Starbright partnership is an example of a movement in hospital care as hospitals are addressing patients’ needs by teaming up with the private sector. In addition, the playroom program addresses the burgeoning, nationwide hospital trend of looking at a patient’s environment as an important factor in the healing process. Toys “R” Us and Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation are both committed to improving the quality of life for kids and their families.
“For children confined to a hospital, the opportunity to have fun in a well-equipped, inviting atmosphere assists in the healing process,” said Jane Van Stedum, vice president of program services for Starlight Starbright. “While play experiences are valuable in their own right, they also provide children an valuable opportunity to express their feelings, release stress, and learn new skills. Our partnership with Toys “R” Us allows us to enhance the quality of our site program and bring countless hours of therapeutic fun to the children who need it most.”
About Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation
Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation is a non-profit organization that transforms the lives of seriously ill children and their families through imaginative programs that educate, uplift their spirits, foster a sense of community, and help alleviate the pain and fear of prolonged illness. Starlight Starbright offers an impressive array of in-hospital, outpatient, school and home-based programs and services that touch the lives of more than 180,000 children and families each month. The Washington Chapter of Starlight Starbright serves over 60 hospitals and organizations throughout the state and reaches over 50,000 children and their families a year. To learn more about the organization, visit their web site at www.starlight-washington.org.
About Toys “R” Us Children’s Fund
Since it was founded in 1992, The Toys "R" Us Children's Fund, Inc. has donated millions of dollars each year to organizations and charities that support the health and welfare of children. Because children are the heart and soul of its business, the Toys “R” Us family has a strong sense of responsibility to do whatever they can to make the lives of children happier and healthier. Funds raised through the Toys “R” Us Children's Fund are used to support the Toys “R” Us–Starlight Site Playroom Program and other children's causes.
About Harborview Medical Center
Harborview Medical Center is owned by King County and managed by the University of Washington. It is a leader in the delivery of quality care to patients from all walks of life. As the only Level I adult and pediatric trauma and burn center for a four-state region (Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho), patients can count on medical expertise, immediate care and access to state-of-the-art resources 24 hours a day, seven days a week, regardless of their ability to pay. As an integral part of UW Medicine, Harborview is a major academic medical center that focuses its efforts on teaching, research and clinical care.