Sunrise Children's Hospital and Pads for Pēds Announce Partnership, First Endowment
Las Vegas, NV - January 24, 2019 - Sunrise Children's Hospital announces a new partnership with Walker Charities and their Pads for Pēds program to bring Apple iPad(R) "Lending Libraries" and digital entertainment tools to Las Vegas pediatric patients. A philanthropic organization that is assisting children in hospitals across the nation, the library comprises computer tablets with protective cases and charging stations that pediatric patients may use during their hospital stay.
Recently, the Pads for Pēds collaboration with Sunrise Children's Hospital brought two new Apple iPad(R) 'Lending Libraries' to pediatric patients. The new computing gear includes ten tablets, cases and charging stations. The partnership supplies a pipeline of donations to Sunrise Children's Hospital to aid in offering comfort, diversion and education for young patients. The organizations intend to work together in the coming years to bring additional tools to Sunrise Children's Hospital to aid in their joint goals.
"Through the donation from Pads for Pēds, we can help make our pediatric patients still feel like kids during their hospital stay by providing technology they relate to and look forward to using," said Mark Amox, Chief Operating Officer of Sunrise Children's Hospital. "We are grateful for the donation and using this collaboration to improve healing."
Pads for Pēds was born from a Walker experience that provided a single Apple iPad(R) to an ailing boy in Masonic Children's Hospital at the University of Minnesota. Founders Brian and Diane Walker felt strongly that many more children and families could be touched through use of these amazing devices, so they sought to find ways to collaborate with great children's hospitals across the country. To date, Pads for Pēds has delivered more than 125 tablets and related support equipment to their partner hospitals, now including Sunrise Children's Hospital.
Child Life Specialists, Left to Right, Sydney Lewis and Brooke Rappaport showing pediatric patient how to play a game on the iPad.
Tablets and digital gaming devices give patients distraction from their pain. Studies have shown Apple iPad(R) and other electronic devices help patients retain focus so that anxiety is often reduced. These studies found comparable anxiety reduction with the use of Midazolam, a common sedative. In addition to distraction and entertainment, Apple iPad(R) can be used for health education of patients and family and provide children the opportunity to connect via video chat and messaging. Partner hospitals are also finding even more ways to improve patient experiences with these emerging technologies.
Benefitting hospitals include Children's Mercy in Kansas City, Children's Minneapolis, Portland Shriner's, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Phoenix Children's Hospital and the Mayo Clinic Children's Center. Pads for Pēds is preparing to add additional children's hospital partnerships during 2019. Since inception, all foundation funding has been privately provided. The group now seeks new corporate sponsorships and additional private donations. Charity updates and paths to donations can be found on their website at Walker Charities.