#USA #Los Angeles #Children's Health #Starlight Foundation #Play Week

Starlight Children's Foundation Launches Play Week Initiative

The Starlight Children's Foundation has announced its inaugural Play Week campaign, running from June 6 to June 15, designed to underscore the therapeutic benefits of play for children in hospitals. This initiative aims to support seriously ill children and their families, particularly in light of the upcoming International Day of Play, which is recognized by the United Nations.

The Play Week campaign will feature a community streaming event, where content creators specializing in play-based activities and brick-building will come together to raise $24,000. These funds are intended to facilitate the delivery of 30 pallets of toys to children across the nation who are battling serious health issues. This collaborative effort emphasizes the significant role that play has in promoting healing and joy among pediatric patients.

Adam Garone, CEO of the Starlight Children's Foundation, highlighted the integral role that play has in healthcare: “Starlight is an essential provider of play-based tools that child life teams and healthcare professionals rely on to support pediatric patients. Pediatric patients are kids first. When kids can play in the hospital, it helps normalize the experience and improves treatment compliance, which can lead to better health outcomes.”

For many young patients, hospital stays can evoke feelings of fear, frustration, and anxiety. The Play Week initiative aims to address these emotional challenges by introducing play as a core component of treatment. Engaging in play helps reduce pain levels, eases anxieties about medical procedures, fosters compliance with treatment, and supports the emotional and cognitive development of children.

Starlight provides its valuable programs at no cost to children’s hospitals and healthcare facilities across the United States. The organization partners with well-known brands such as LEGO and Hasbro to provide high-quality toys and games to children in need. Each year, Starlight reaches around 3 million children in 824 hospitals, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing the lives of pediatric patients and their families.

The foundation encourages individuals, corporations, and communities to participate in the Play Week campaign, underscoring the potential of collective action to create a lasting impact on the lives of seriously ill children. Anyone interested in supporting Starlight's initiatives can visit their website at starlight.org.

About Starlight Children's Foundation

Founded in 1982, the Starlight Children's Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to delivering happiness to seriously ill children and their families through impactful programs. These initiatives are donor-funded and offered free of charge, aiming to harness the power of play to foster resilience, optimism, and courage among children facing health challenges. Starlight is recognized as a top-rated charity, committed to equitable program distribution across its nationwide network of hospitals. The foundation’s motto, “Healing begins with happiness,” encapsulates its mission to enhance the lives of young patients.

Through campaigns like Play Week, Starlight continues to make strides toward brightening the journeys of children in care, allowing them to experience joy and support during difficult times.