The Get-Well Gamers Foundation, a California-based public charity dedicated to bringing electronic entertainment to children in healthcare facilities, has announced a major donation from Microsoft that will enable it to pursue its mission of giving this holiday season.
The donation consists of hundreds of popular video games, games consoles and equipment. All platforms, including Xbox, PlayStation and Game Boy Advance, are represented along with a wide variety of game genres, from sports and adventure to racing and fantasy role-playing games. Controllers, documentation and other accessories are also available and, as with the rest of the donation, will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Among the most popular titles on offer:
. Blinx The Time Sweeper
. Disney's Tarzan
. Enter the Matrix
. Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
. Madden 2003
. Midway Arcade Treasures Vol. 1
. Project Gotham Racing
. Simpsons Hit And Run
. Star Wars Episode One Racer
. X-Men Legends 2
"The breadth of what Microsoft has given us is astounding," said Ryan Sharpe, President of Get-Well Gamers. "There's truly something here for children of every age level. My only hope is that enough healthcare facilities step forward in time for the holidays."
Get-Well Gamers draws its mission from the personal experiences of Mr Sharpe, who suffered several life-threatening illnesses as a child and was confined to medical facilities for months at a time.
"Studies have shown that playing video games is one of the best ways for patients to dull their pain receptors and shortens the length of their hospital stays," he adds. "But, for me, the most tangible proof - and inspiration - has been my own medical history. Games really kept my mind alert and helped me forget my physical condition."
Although still a college student, Sharpe runs Get-Well Gamers in his spare time and, since its founding in 2001, has established an affiliate network of children's healthcare facilities across the United States.
For more informaiton visit www.get-well-gamers.org.
