Interactive Game Room Opens at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital
Hockey Star Pat LaFontaine Brings Business and Design Stars Together to Build State-of-the Art Playroom for Kids
NEW YORK CITY – September 7, 2007 - Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian formally opened its Companions in Courage Lion's Den, an interactive computer and video game room that provides a sanctuary where children can go to have fun while they're at the hospital. This new resource goes hand in hand with the Hospital's mission of offering the highest quality patient care in a child-friendly, healing environment.
National Hockey League Hall of Fame Player Pat LaFontaine, through his charitable organization, Companions in Courage (www.CiC16.org), helped create the room with the generous support of Jerome Wood, of the financial services firm Morgan Stanley, his wife Monica, and Cisco Systems Inc.
Pat LaFontaine, founder of Companions in Courage Foundation, said, "I was looking for a way to help children feel more comfortable during a very difficult time of their lives. To see these kids, who carry a heavy load sometimes, forget for a moment about their illness is true magic. I want to thank Jerry and Monica, the members of the Cisco Systems Civic Council in New York and countless others for their help in making this facility possible."
A local charitable organization, Sports Angels, that includes former Brooklyn Dodger Ralph Branca, donated a dozen video monitors for the Lion's Den. Cisco Systems, Microsoft and Full Armor invested a lot of time and energy deploying the technologies in the room.
Mr. Wood said, "This is a great moment for Monica and me as well as our entire family. We're proud to have worked with such a fine group of individuals on this very worthy project. The reward of seeing children enjoy this space will last us a lifetime."
Cynthia N. Sparer, Executive Director of Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian, said, "We are very grateful to Companions in Courage and the Wood family for helping us open the doors to this wonderful new center, giving our teenage patients new ways to unwind and connect with friends. The center is an important new addition to our programs for taking care of children at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital."
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