Young patients at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital will soon stay better connected during treatment thanks to a generous grant from the Joy in Childhood Foundation, the nonprofit organization powered by Dunkin’ franchisees, partners, employees and guests. The grant will fund something the hospital’s Streetlight and Child Life programs have long needed — a dedicated, full-time specialist focused on using gaming technology to support teens and young adults with serious illnesses.
Emily Marchi, director of the Streetlight program, sees tremendous potential in what this grant and its impact means for patients. “We’ve been trying to support gaming and online connection since 2006 with just a part-time, ten-hour position,” Marchi said. “Seeing other children’s hospitals create similar roles made us realize what is possible. Now, thanks to these funds from Dunkin’ Joy, we can finally strengthen our programming and patient care.”
The Joy in Childhood Foundation created their Connecting Joy program specifically to bring gaming experiences to kids facing medical challenges. For teens stuck in hospital rooms, these technologies offer a precious taste of normalcy and allow patients with a variety of energy and ability levels to stay engaged. The grant program supports hospitals with equipment, staffing, connectivity and other needs so kids can have these moments of joy at their bedside and even play with family and friends back home.
The new gaming specialist will oversee what Marchi describes as a vital community-building effort. “The person who steps into this role will moderate our Streetlight gaming and online team, running hybrid events that patients can join from their hospital rooms or after they’ve returned home,” she said. “We’re talking gaming tournaments, Dungeons and Dragons campaigns, online hangouts — all aimed at keeping patients socially connected during treatment.”
Behind the scenes, the specialist will maintain the hospital’s growing library of gaming equipment — Xboxes, PlayStations, Nintendo Switches and laptops — ensuring technology issues never interfere with a patient’s chance to play and connect.
Perhaps most importantly, the position expands in-person opportunities, too. That includes the evening teen lounge, where patients can leave their rooms to socialize together with gaming experiences as the catalyst.
For children battling serious illness, these moments of escape and connection become a crucial part of their overall well-being, something both the hospital and the Joy in Childhood Foundation clearly understand.