CHARLESTON, SC NEWS - LIVE 5 WCSC Breaking News, Weather, SportsChildren's Hospital clicking for a new game room
CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - For years, it has been a refuge for kids being treated at MUSC Children's Hospital. Now, locals and web surfers have a chance to help the hospital's youngest patients have a spruced up place of their own.
The kids' Atrium is in the running for a free game room makeover.
The Atrium in the Children's hospital does more than give kids a break from their rooms. It gives them a chance to just be kids. "You get forget about it cause it reminds you of being home with your friends. They don't always get to make the trip up here," said 15-year-old patient Julianna Bowman.
The most popular part of the Atrium is the video games. Bowman has a rare tissue disorder and spends two weeks a month in the hospital. Much of that time is with a controller in in hand. "I like to play the Wii and the Xbox with my mom," she said.
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"It really gives them an opportunity to take their mind off of why they are here and have a good time,"said MUSC Associate Director of Special Events Sara Nelson.
When he was just 13 months old, Duane Jenkins was in a house fire. 85 percent of his body was covered in third degree burns. His condition makes it difficult to communicate, but his mom said playing video games helps him concentrate on the positive.
"It gives him a chance to focus on things other than his medical condition," said Jenkins.
Now 14, Duane has had over 60 surgeries. The hospital is his second home. That means he has had plenty of time to master a lot of different games. "He probably can beat you I know he can beat me," said his mother.
I challenged Duane to his favorite game and it didn't take long to realize I was in over my head.
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Kids here need the Atrium to help take their minds off of being in the hospital. With just a little bit of help, MUSC could get a new game room. The Children's Miracle Network is running an online contest in which the three children's hospitals with the most votes will get a free game room makeover.
"What we are trying to do is get the word out to the community. It takes a minute to get online and vote. It's simple and easy and you can vote 10 times a day" said Nelson.
Right now MUSC is in eighth place out of 170 children's hospitals. With the help of viewers and web browsers, they are hoping to move into the top three, giving them a new look and children like Duane, a reason to smile.
The CMN also has an incentive for registering and voting -- some entrants will win an Xbox 360 of their own.
