Microsoft Canada, Children's Miracle Network and Premier Dalton McGuinty launch child technology center at Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
Deployment in Ottawa serves as framework for roll-out at other select children's hospitals allowing increased connectivity for children
May 25, 2005 - Ottawa, ON - A collaboration of private sector, non profit and government representatives today celebrated the launch of the Child Life Interactive Computers for Kids (CLICK) program at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa, Ontario.
CLICK is a partnership between Microsoft Canada, the Children's Miracle Network and CHEO. The first of its kind in Canada, this innovative program gives children access to bedside connectivity, allowing them to maintain a level of normalcy while in hospital through state of the art technology. A wireless network, Tablet PC's, software and Xbox consoles, coordinated through a Child Life Specialist empower children to interact and connect with friends, family and the classroom, play games and express themselves through unique technology based projects.
"A lengthy hospital stay is tough for anyone and even more so, for a child," said David Hemler, President, Microsoft Canada. "By creating strong partnerships across the public, private and non profit sectors, we created an entire technology centre within a hospital environment empowering children and their families with the technology they need to stay connected with friends, teachers and classmates."
"Everyone involved realized that technology could have a very positive impact on the healing process," said Fred Bartlett, President and CEO, CHEO Foundation. "Technology is a large part of children's social networks. Playing games and staying connected with friends and family allows them to remain part of their peer group and feel much less isolated."
The positive feedback from children, their families and staff at the hospital was a major factor in Microsoft Canada and Children's Miracle Network's decision to explore working with other children's hospitals across the country.
At today's event, Microsoft Canada and the Children's Miracle Network announced their intention to work with other Children's Miracle Network supported hospitals in Canada to help them meet the technology needs of their young patients and families.
"Once we saw the way CLICK was helping children, often in profound ways we couldn't have imagined, it became clear that this was something we had to help bring to other children in hospitals across the country," said John Hartman, Senior Vice-President, Canadian Operations, Children's Miracle Network.
The Child Life Interactive Computers for Kids (CLICK) program at CHEO includes the following:
| • | A wireless network throughout the hospital |
| • | Hardware and software (laptops, PCs, Tablet PCs, web cameras and Windows XP) |
| • | Xbox consoles and games appropriate for various age groups |
| • | Technical support |
| • | Internet connectivity |
| • | Furniture (desks and chairs) |
| • | Employee support |
About CHEO
CHEO is a world-class pediatric health care centre, offering services to children and youth (from birth through to 18 years) that live in eastern Ontario, western Quebec, Baffin Island and beyond. CHEO is the primary pediatric teaching hospital of the University of Ottawa, where most of its physicians hold faculty appointments. CHEO is also partnered with 17 other hospitals in eastern Ontario, providing specialized pediatric services, and contributing pediatric knowledge and expertise.
About the Children's Miracle Network
Children's Miracle Network is an international non-profit organization whose mission is to generate funds and awareness programs to benefit children and the 170 Children's Miracle Network-associated hospitals and health foundations for children across Canada and the United States. Children's Miracle Network hospitals specialize in the treatment of children and treat a wide variety of afflictions such as cancer, birth defects, heart and muscular diseases as well as accident victims.
Since its inception in 1983, Children's Miracle Network has helped raise more than $2.2 billion for its affiliated hospitals across North America. In Canada, Children's Miracle Network has raised a total of $340 million, treating some two million children per year. There are currently 14 Children's Miracle Network affiliated hospitals, health centres and foundations in Canada. For pictures and profiles of the children please visit www.cmncan.ca
About Microsoft Canada
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Co. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. Headquartered in Mississauga, Microsoft Canada has 10 regional offices across the country dedicated to empowering people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. Visit Microsoft Canada's web site at www.microsoft.ca
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