Microsoft supports teen lounge at Starship

Microsoft supports teen lounge at Starship

AUCKLAND – 10 April, 2008 – Keeping in touch with friends & family while in hospital can be difficult and often a stressful and emotional time.

However, modern technology is making a difference for New Zealand families with kids at Auckland’s Starship Hospital.

Thanks to support from Microsoft New Zealand, it is easier for sick kids to stay in touch via cyberspace in Starship’s teen lounge.

In light of Microsoft’s growing partnership with the hospital and the company’s continued support for the teen lounge, staff members are volunteering to help raise funds on Starship Annual Appeal Day on 11 April.

In December, Microsoft donated laptops, hardware peripherals such as mice and keyboards and software such as PC games, Windows Vista and Microsoft Office as part of the refurbishment of the teen lounge funded by SKY TV through the Starship Foundation.

“We are pleased to be able to provide our latest products to ensure that teenagers can communicate online with their friends and family while they are in hospital,” says Danica Aitken, product marketing manager for hardware, Microsoft New Zealand.

The colourful lounge provides a space for adolescent patients to ‘hang out’ and participate in the ‘normal’ activities of kids their age.

Patients can now watch television, play music or video games on the Xbox 360, use the internet and chat to friends on the Microsoft LifeCam webcams, cook in the new kitchen, or enjoy arts and crafts activities with the play therapists.

Starship Foundation CEO, Andrew Young says such areas are an essential part of the total care provided by Starship.

“The teenage patients at Starship who spend time in this area do the things that teenagers would ordinarily do for recreation - aside from spending time outdoors. This is important especially when they are faced with a long term illness and spend a lot of time inside.”

Starship Hospital is focused on giving sick children from across New Zealand and the Pacific the best chance possible. The Starship Foundation is a charity set up to provide additional equipment, support and help to patients, their families and staff - as an extra to state funding.

To make a donation to the Starship Foundation, you can call 0900 STARSHIP to donate $20, or txt STARSHIP to 469 to donate $3.

ENDS

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