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Delivering happiness to hospitalized kids
No matter the length, hospital stays can be lonely, stressful, and scary. That’s why Starlight exists! Founded in 1982, Starlight Children’s Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that aims to deliver happiness to hospitalized children and their families. Carefully crafted to address the unique needs of pediatric patients, Starlight’s vital programs – including Starlight Gaming, Starlight Virtual Reality, Hospital Gowns, and Starlight Toy Deliveries – provide comfort, distraction, and a sense of normalcy to kids coping with hospitalization, procedures, and treatments. The impact of these programs reaches even further to the families and caregivers, creating a supportive community that nurtures kids when they need it most.
Services
Starlight Children’s Foundation for Healthcare Workers
Create a Starlight Hub account to receive free Starlight resources, programs, and more.
Our Starlight Programs Available to Hospital Partners include:
Starlight Gaming
Improves mood and reduces stress by redirecting focus and providing structure in the hospital.
Virtual Reality
Encourages kids to relax and escape during pain or discomfort and can help kids improve a range of motion.
Hospital Gowns
Designed with iconic brands, Starlight gowns ease anxiety by enabling greater privacy and aids emotional wellbeing through fun and interactive experiences. Ease anxiety by enabling greater privacy and aids emotional wellbeing through fun and interactive experiences.
Hero Wagons
Provides joy by helping pediatric patients leave the confines of the room and go for a “joy ride."
Toy Deliveries
Brings a sense of relief through therapeutic play, helping kids adapt to the hospital setting.
Starlight Children’s Foundation for Pediatric Families
Starlight Families:
Bridging the gap between a child's hospital journey and their at-home recovery
At Starlight, we know that a child's journey with their illness does not always end when they leave the hospital. Many will begin at-home recovery, have follow-up appointments, and receive ongoing treatments.
That's why the Starlight Families program exists. By providing encouragement and free resources that continue to bring happiness to pediatric patients and their families, we are able to support our Starlight Families through every step of their journey! Why have your pediatric patient’s parents/caregivers register to become a Starlight Family? Gain early access to Starlight programs. Receive digital tools and resources. Enjoy special experiences and celebrations.
Learn more“Bringing happiness to our pediatric patients through toy deliveries often reduces their fear of being in a medical environment and helps them be more receptive to necessary medical treatment.”
Pat Kirkland
Manager, Family Support Services
Wolfson Children's Hospital
"I had a 6-year-old patient that...was extremely anxious to be at the hospital and finding out he had to change clothes made matters more frightening for him…Once the patient saw how fun this “new” gown [from Starlight] was, he was immediately ready to change and became more compliant. By watching him become less anxious, his family members also became calmer."
Certified Child Life Specialist
CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System
"Starlight Gaming not only gives young children positive experiences but also allows respite for families as they deal with seriously ill family members... 'Play' engagement for children in an otherwise strange and uncomfortable situation changes their perspective of the hospital and provides enduring comfort."
Diane Brown
Huntsville Hospital Foundation