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Walt Disney Company Brings Magic to Children’s Hospitals

a disney official cuts a ribbon to open a mobile movie theater alongside childrens hospital patients

Children’s hospitals worldwide will receive a touch of Disney Magic as part of the Walt Disney Company’s continued initiative to enhance families’ medical realities, reimagining the patient experience through over $100 million in donations.

Former 'CHOC Kid,' Imagineer Helps Bring Smiles to Patients at Children's  Hospitals Ahead of the Virtual CHOC Walk on May 22 | Disney Parks Blog

Credit: Disney Parks Blog

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A release from the Walt Disney Company outlines some of its latest offers in partnership with the Starlight Children’s Foundation outlines some of the new offerings which the two have already donated to over 430 hospitals throughout 17 countries, such as the US, Europe, mainland China, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, and Taiwan. Executive VP for Corporate Social Responsibility at Disney, Jennifer Cohen, notes that the collaboration was a group effort from multiple Disney teams, including global experts in pediatric care and Walt Disney Imagineers.

For example, Disney provides young patients with “innovative programs” such as reinvented children’s hospital gowns, which feature Disney characters from Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, Frozen, Mickey & Friends, ESPN, Disney Princess, and most recently, EncantoAdditionally, European hospitals will receive 40,000 activity packs which include Disney-themed games this year, while bringing Starlight hospital wear, interactive murals, and mobile movie theaters to locations in Japan and France, Greece, and Mexico, for instance.

Disney's children's hospital program delivers joy across the globe

Credit: Attractions Magazine

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In fact, the mobile movie theater and complimentary content access are two of the initiative’s most successful attributes, combining the storytelling power of Disney+ with the Disney Movie Moments program. As stated by Disney+ President Alisa Bowen, who is also Vice Chair on Starlight’s Board of Directors, the program will “deliver joy when it’s needed most through beloved Disney stories,” eventually reaching 30 global nations and positively impacting 750 children’s hospitals.

Moreover, Starlight Children’s Foundation CEO Adam Garone adds that the initiative builds on a 20-year history to transform kids’ hospital experiences, providing comfort to the seriously ill children and their families. Cohen also addresses the inspiration behind the charitable act, the Walt Disney Animation Studios founder himself.

Disney and Starlight Children's Foundation Deliver Comfort and Joy to Texas Children's  Hospital Patients - The Walt Disney Company

Credit: Disney

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According to the VP, “Delivering joy builds on a legacy that started with Walt Disney himself, who brought animators and characters to visit hospitalized children,” something which is both in line with the current Five Keys of the Company (Safety, Courtesy, Inclusion, Show, and Efficiency) and honors his century-long legacy in line with the goals of Disney100.

 

 

 

About Spencer Johnette

Spencer is a lifelong lover of theme parks, princesses, and Disney history that recently relocated to Northern California. She completed her undergraduate studies at UCLA, where she was the founder and first president of the campus Disney Club. A former Cast Member still mourning the loss of the Disney Store, she now haunts the Walt Disney Family Museum halls and shares her opinions with anyone who will listen @gothelsflower.