Purpose – By screening movies for children who are unable to leave the hospital, we help them escape their surroundings, the gray walls, the ominous equipment, and tinted windows. Even if just for a couple of hours, the kids are given a chance to leave some of their pain behind and smile at the stories and pictures before them.

How we seek to benefit pediatric patients – Children hospitals can have any number of children at one time, depending on the size of the hospital. For example, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH) has room for 244 children and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) has room for 286 at one time. These children can be hospitalized up to six months, sometimes longer, and are separated into three different units. The only escape from the monotony of their hospital surroundings is the activity room in each unit, which is a place where the kids can access the Internet, read magazines, color, play games, make friends, etc.

But because the children are only able to spend about three hours a day in the activity room, the vast majority of their time is spent watching television in their hospital rooms. Therefore, they receive significant exposure to the advertising generated for upcoming film releases. They, of course, become excited about the films, and then are heartbroken when they realize that they will not be able to see them until the video release. We all know that six to eight months can be an eternity for most children, especially when they are anticipating an exciting film! Just knowing that someone cares enough to bring a special experience into their lives helps bring these kids hope.