Children undergoing treatment for chronic illnesses at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital could get the chance to unwind in a brand-new game room if the hospital wins enough votes in an online competition.
The Children's Hospital is currently in seventh place for a competition held by Microsoft Xbox and Children's Miracle Network, which are sponsoring a playroom makeover for three Children's Miracle Network hospitals.
Xbox is promising two plasma televisions and two Xboxes for each of the three winning hospitals, as well as laptops and other prizes.
Students can vote for their own colleges up to 10 times each day until Oct. 16.
The Xbox competition provides Penn State students with an opportunity to show their support "for the kids," who need outlets to play and recuperate, said Dr. Duane C. Williams of the Children's Hospital.
"These kids can be in the hospital for two to three weeks at a time -- it greatly helps that they have these outlets, that they have a place where they can be with other children where they can unwind," he said. "With chronic illnesses, these kids can't leave."
Williams said the children not only appreciate people taking the time to vote, but they respond well to having a play area amidst the stress, worry, and pain that comes along with a childhood illness.
"I think that it greatly benefits their care, that they know that no doctor, no nurse will come in to assess them," he said. "It's just for them, so they can unwind and have an opportunity so they can just be kids."
Elyse Adams, the overall public relations chairwoman for the Interfraternity Council/Panhell-enic Dance Marathon, said the organization has been encouraging Thon volunteers to vote.
"They form very close relationships with the families, researchers and staff, which really impacts the children's experience at the hospital," Adams (senior-bioengineering and mechanical engineering) said. "We want them to have the best experience possible while there."
Adams said the organization has been publicizing the competition on sites like Facebook and encourages students to vote and spread the word to friends.
In addition to sponsoring the renovation of children's hospital game rooms, Xbox is also holding a drawing at the end of the competition, giving away additional Xboxes to five voters.
Samantha Kujolic (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) heard about the competition from a friend who voted. While she
hasn't voted yet, Kujolic said she will before the competition ends.
"I think it's a good cause because children are important," she says. "It's nice to know you can help out even in the smallest of ways."
