Patients at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County rejoiced on Friday at the unveiling of the new Seacrest Studio. Ryan Seacrest, founder of the Ryan Secreast Foundation, opened the doors to the fourth new media studio donated by his namesake foundation since its conception in 2010. The new media studios are designed to give patients a place to escape their grueling diagnosis and treatment and explore their creativity.
The RSF previously donated Seacreast Studios to three other hospitals across the country. The first studio opened in 2010 in Secreast’s hometown at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. A year later the foundation decided to spread the positive energy by building a second at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and again a year later at the Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. The studios’ have been successful in distracting kids from their exhausting recovery and giving them an environment to learn and be active. The RSF believes that the media studios allow ill children and their families to take mental and physical breaks by engaging in stimulating adventures in TV, radio, and new media. The studios bring an uplifting, encouraging atmosphere to hospital communities in need of some TLC.
I think that Seacrest Studios are an amazing initiative and a cause worth supporting. As we all know, every one today – especially kids- is addicted to technology to some degree. The World Wide Web may become a foreign concept to kids undergoing treatment for life threatening illnesses. Now, they can keep up with their favorite shows or pretend to be on one! Maybe they’ll even get enough hits to become the next YouTube Sensation. Young girls can create Pinterest Boards of all the things they’re going to do once they kick that pesky disease to the curb! Sick boys can play video games with their friends, and so much more! The Seacrest Studios truly provide patients and their families with the opportunity to stop dreaming and start doing. These media safe havens create motivation not only in the present but also to grow in the future.
Take a look at the Ryan Seacrest Foundation’s official webpage to find out more about their mission, the Seacrest Studios initiative and how you can get involved!
— Laura
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