Microsoft Canada, Children's Miracle Network and CHEO celebrate fifth
anniversary of CLICK program

Microsoft Canada furthers support by donating 200 Kinect gaming sensors to 14 children's hospitals across Canada

OTTAWA, Dec. 2 /CNW/ - Microsoft Canada, Children's Miracle Network and the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Child Life Interactive Computers for Kids (CLICK) program today. At an event held at CHEO and attended by Mrs. Laureen Harper, Microsoft announced an expansion to the program with the donation of 200 units of Kinect™ sensors for Xbox 360® to the 14 Children's Miracle Network member hospitals across Canada.

"Thanks to CLICK, we've seen children light up during what could have been very dark times. Microsoft Canada's donations have enabled our patients to have a greater sense of normalcy by being more connected to their friends and family." said Maureen Jones, Child Life Specialist, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. "We know that the power of play has an incredible impact on children and parents, through both treatment and recovery. In the past five years, CLICK has delivered remarkable results, and we look forward to exciting new opportunities for play with Kinect."

Through the CLICK program, patients can access Tablet PCs, software, digital cameras, printers, webcams, Xbox 360 consoles and now Kinect for Xbox 360. CLICK is also implemented at an additional 14 Children's Miracle Network member hospitals across Canada, including Quebec City's Centre mère-enfant at CHUQ  and Halifax's IWK Health Centre.

"Harnessing the power of technology, CLICK enables children to stay connected, brings fun and joy into the hospital, and inspires them to stretch their imaginations and think creatively," said Gavin Thompson, Director, Corporate Citizenship, Microsoft Canada. "By adding Kinect to CLICK, we hope to help improve hospital stays for children and families by giving them the opportunity to play with the same new technology their friends may be enjoying." 

"Five years ago, we asked Microsoft to help us bring interactive technology into CHEO. Rather than just writing a cheque, Microsoft Canada worked closely with Children's Miracle Network and CHEO to develop a meaningful program that meets the specific needs of children in hospital,"said John Hartman, Chief International Officer, Children's Miracle Network. "What sets Microsoft Canada apart is their approach to understanding the challenges and goals of our organizations; they are committed to making social investments that enable us to make a difference in the lives of the children we serve."

CLICK is part of Microsoft Canada's corporate Citizenship program which is committed to making technology more relevant, affordable and accessible for people everywhere - including Canadian youth. Through social investments, the Microsoft Canada team aspires to ignite the power of creativity in organizations, businesses and youth across the country.

For more information on the CLICK program, please visit www.citizenship.microsoft.ca.

About Kinect
Recently launched around the world, Kinect for Xbox 360 lets players use their body and voice to play games and entertainment, literally turning the player into the controller. By simply stepping in front of the sensor, Kinect picks up player's movement, hears your voice and learns how you play.

About Microsoft Canada
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Inc. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq "MSFT") the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. Headquartered in Mississauga, Microsoft Canada has nine regional offices across the country dedicated to empowering people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. For more information on Microsoft Canada, please visit www.microsoft.ca.

About the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)
The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario is a health care centre dedicated to providing specialized care to children and youth in eastern Ontario and western Quebec. Opened in 1974, CHEO offers a range of medical services for patients from birth through to 18 years of age. CHEO now houses 167 inpatient beds - 20 are in Neonatal Intensive Care, 10 in Pediatric Intensive Care, 25 are in Psychiatry and 95 in inpatient wards. CHEO has six patient service units, including 56 different outpatient or ambulatory care clinics. CHEO is one of two free-standing pediatric hospitals in Canada. It is the primary teaching hospital for the University of Ottawa. CHEO handles over 200,000 patient visits per year and 6,000 children and youth are admitted to the hospital annually. To learn more, visit http://www.cheo.on.ca .

About Children's Miracle Network
Children's Miracle Network is an international non-profit organization that raises funds for more than 170 children's hospitals, 14 of which are in Canada. Compassionate organizations, media partners and countless individuals unite with Children's Miracle Network hospitals to help sick and injured kids in local communities. Donations to Children's Miracle Network create miracles by funding medical care, research and education that saves and improves the lives of more than 2.6 million Canadian children each year. To learn more, visit http://childrensmiraclenetwork.ca.

For further information:

Andrea Brasset
on behalf of Microsoft Canada
613-688-1192
[email protected]