Cleveland, OH,
19
November
2018
|
17:02 PM
America/New_York

Donation to fund game systems for MetroHealth's young patients

A hospital stay can be a scary thing for a little one. That’s why MetroHealth’s Child Life and Education team tries hard to give children a sense of normalcy – familiar and fun things to do - when they are in the hospital

For a child confined to a bed, activities can be very restricted.

But not if there’s a video game close at hand.

The Cleveland Warthogs, a nonprofit organization made up of public safety workers including police officers, firefighters, EMTs and court workers, found out that video gaming systems were on top of the MetroHealth Child Life and Education team’s wish list. So, they went into action.

The group had originally hoped to be able to donate monies for the systems by 2019, but they met that goal much sooner, donating more than $10,000 to Child Life just before Thanksgiving of 2018.

They game systems are just what the doctor ordered for a hospital setting. They are durable, washable and secure and come with pre-loaded games, making it easy for children and their families to have a little fun during such a scary time. These systems are built on carts that function the same way a bedside table does, so children who cannot get up can still enjoy them. The screens can move and tilt to accommodate children in bed, even if needing to lay flat on their back.

“We are so excited and grateful for the support and generosity of the Cleveland Warthogs. This is an incredible gift to Pediatric patients at MetroHealth,” says Jessica Chupnick, manager of Child Life and Education.

"We see bad things on a daily basis," says Tim Sopkovich, president of the Warthogs. "This is a way we can bring good into some childrens' lives."

About the MetroHealth System

Founded in 1837, MetroHealth is leading the way to a healthier you and a healthier community through service, teaching, discovery, and teamwork. Cuyahoga County’s public, safety-net hospital system, MetroHealth meets people where they are, providing care through five hospitals, four emergency departments and more than 20 health centers. Each day, our nearly 9,000 employees focus on providing our community with equitable healthcare — through patient-focused research, access to care, and support services — that seeks to eradicate health disparities rooted in systematic barriers. For more information, visit metrohealth.org.