Marquette General Foundation

For You. For the U.P. For Life

MGH pediatric patients benefit from charitable gifts

Christmas has arrived early for pediatric patients at Marquette General Hospital.
  In early June, the Women’s and Children’s Center at MGH was the proud recipient of approximately $40,000 worth of in-kind gifts from Child’s Play Charity.

  MGH received four X-Box video game units, six Nintendo DS XL units, 16 Nintendo DS Lites and 1,756 Xbox and DS games!

Keerin Glendon, 4, of Marquette plays with a Nintendo DS system to pass the time while awaiting treatment at Marquette General. (MGH photo)

  The video game equipment and games are a welcome addition to the hospital.

  “It’s unbelievable,” said Sarah Harnett, Child Life Specialist in Women’s and Children’s. “We never expected to receive this many gifts. One thousand seven hundred and fifty-six games? Our kids will love all of this.” 

  The Seattle, Wash., based Childs Play Charity (www.childsplaycharity.org) organized Child’s Play eight years ago. It’s a game industry charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with toys and games in a network of 60 hospitals across the world.

  With the help of MGH hospital staff, Child’s Play set up gift wish lists full of video games, toys and movies. The Women’s and Children’s Center put together a wish list, but was absolutely overwhelmed with the generosity of the gifts that will provide children entertainment opportunities while hospitalized.

   “The Nintendo DS systems have made a huge impact on the way a child views coming to and returning to the hospital,” Harnett said. “Several children have come to the hospital for one reason or another and used the DS during their stay. They had to return to the hospital, and rather than have anxiety about their impending hospital visit, they were excited about what DS game they’re going to play. 

  “Some children keep playing DS while waiting in the OR,” she added. “It’s a great way to decrease the overstimulation of that environment, especially for children with special needs. Having additional DS systems in more areas where children are present will change the way a pediatric stay is viewed through a child’s eyes … it will reduce anxiety and normalize the experience for pediatric patients.”

  The Women’s and Children’s Center has a number of other wish list items. If interested in supporting, visit www.childsplaycharity.org and just click on the icon in Marquette, Michigan, on the map. It will take you to the Amazon site to purchase items to benefit MGH.

  For more information, contact Harnett at 906-225-3081 or email sarah.harnett@mghs.org. For more information about the Marquette General Foundation, call 906-225-6914.