Microsoft Canada to help kids CLICK with family and friends at the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary
Microsoft asks hospital's Youth Advisory Council for technology wish list
Calgary, Alberta - May 28, 2009 - Microsoft Canada Co., together with the Children's Miracle Network announced today an initiative to establish a Child Life Interactive Computers for Kids (CLICK) program at the Alberta Children's Hospital. CLICK has been deployed at three other Canadian hospitals, providing wireless bedside connectivity, Tablet PCs, software, hardware and Xbox® video game systems and games to young patients in order to help create a sense of normalcy during hospitalization. Microsoft Canada also provides funding for a Child Life Specialist in each hospital to teach the children and their parents how to use the technology.
In a unique approach, representatives from Microsoft will meet with the hospital's Youth Advisory Council today to devise better ways to help youth connect with family, friends and school during lengthy or frequent periods of hospitalization. This tactic of engaging with young people who will use the program prior to implementation has led to innovative applications of bedside technology in children's hospitals. In 2008, a meeting between Microsoft and the Youth Advisory Council at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax led to the inclusion of a virtual classroom.
Quotes:
"Microsoft Canada has been a generous supporter of the Alberta Children's Hospital for many years. We are so grateful to have exceptional donors like Microsoft Canada that look for innovative and exciting ways to help the kids and families here at our hospital," says Saifa Koonar, Acting CEO of the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation. "The CLICK program will be an extremely valuable addition to the hospital, allowing kids to connect with family and friends and so much more. It is another terrific example of how Microsoft Canada helps our kids focus on what they do best - being kids!"
"Microsoft Canada is committed to providing access to technology and education," said Gavin Thompson, Director, Citizenship, Microsoft Canada. "I've seen firsthand how having the technological resources available can help transform the hospital experience for young patients so that they feel less isolated and better connected to loved ones and friends."
Fast Facts:
Microsoft has donated over $1 million to the CLICK program at the three participating CMN hospitals. In addition, the program integrates a combination of donations from Microsoft:
- Three years of funding support for a Child Life Specialist
- Wireless network
- Hardware and software (laptops, tablet PCs, web cameras and Microsoft® Windows Vista® operating system, Roundtable)
- Xbox and games appropriate for various age groups
- Technical support
- Internet connectivity
- Furniture (desks and chairs)
The Alberta Children's Hospital will be the fourth CMN affiliated hospital to establish a CLICK program in Canada. Hospitals that have the CLICK program include:
- IWK Health Centre in Halifax, January 2009
- Hospitalier Universitaire du Québec (CHUQ) in Québec City, August 2007
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa, May 2005
About Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation
The Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation is the official fundraising body for the Alberta Children's Hospital. The Foundation raises funds for excellence in child health and family-centred care. Through the generosity of donors, the Foundation provides funding for innovative programs, state-of-the-art equipment, advanced medical training and internationally recognized pediatric research.
About Children's Miracle Network
Children's Miracle Network is an international non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children's hospitals and health foundations across North America. Each year, the 170 Children's Miracle Network hospitals, 14 of which are in Canada, create miracles by providing the finest medical care, life-saving research and preventative education to help millions of kids overcome diseases and injuries of every kind. Through its year-round efforts to help kids, Children's Miracle Network has raised more than $3.4 billion to date, most of which is donated a dollar or two at a time by caring individuals across North America. In 2007, Children's Miracle Network raised more than $42.7 million for the 14 Canadian member children's hospitals/foundations and the 2.6 million children they treated. To donate or to learn more, go to childrensmiraclenetwork.ca. Your donations benefit your Children's Miracle Network hospital.
About Microsoft Canada
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Co. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq "MSFT") the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. Headquartered in Mississauga, Microsoft Canada has nine regional offices across the country dedicated to empowering people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. For more information on Microsoft Canada, please visit www.microsoft.ca. For more information on Microsoft Canada's citizenship initiatives, please visit www.citizenship.microsoft.ca.
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For more information please contact:
Stephanie Bell
Media Profile
w. 416-342-1836 / c. 416-937-4912
stephanie@mediaprofile.com
Trish Courage
Associate, Communications
Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation
w. 403-955-8845 / c. 403-875-7595
tcourage@achf.com
