| And I challenge the private sector tonight to start by connecting every children's hospital as soon as possible, so that a child in bed can stay in touch with school, family and friends. A sick child need no longer be a child alone. --President Clinton, State of the Union Address
February 4, 1997
Today, President Clinton and Vice President Gore will unveil and demonstrate Starbright World,an on-line computer network that enables seriously ill children to meet, play and verbally communicatewith one another. Starbright World meets the President'sState of the Union challenge to the private sector to help connect seriously ill children in hospitalsacross the country. They will be joined in launching this program by Starbright Chairman Steven Spielbergand Starbright Capital Campaign ChairmanGeneral H. Norman Schwarzkopf. STARBRIGHT World's interactive network provides a virtual community that is populated with seriouslyill kids who face similar health care challenges. The network offers an array of communication tools,including video conferencing, audio and text communicationchat spaces, e-mail, a three-dimensional virtual playground and an information center in which kids can accessanswers to medical questions or learn about procedures. This expanded offering of content and activities willbe available in 1998 on STARBRIGHT World and launched to 100 additional hospitals. |
