Starlight Foundation delivers Virtual Reality headsets

October 11, 2023 — The nonprofit Starlight Children’s Foundation celebrated one of its annual Starlight Award recipients by delivering Virtual Reality (VR) headsets to children in the pediatric intensive care unit at AdventHealth Tampa, where the Golden Hero award recipient Michele Axford is part of the hospital’s child life team.

AdventHealth Tampa, a long-time affiliate of Starlight’s hospital network, is one of many nationwide children’s hospitals receiving Starlight’s vital programs, including VR, to help child life teams provide their patients with positive distraction and play therapy as a resource to reduce stress and anxiety during medical treatments and procedures. Starlight VR supports patients during their healthcare journey, encouraging kids to relax during pain or discomfort and can guide them through exercises to improve their range of motion. In some cases, VR can reduce the need for pain medication when immersed in a virtual experience.

Through Axford’s continued support of Starlight’s mission, eligible families registered to become a Starlight family. They received a VR headset at today’s distribution to aid in their child’s treatment and recovery at home or in the hospital.

“She was actually really scared being in the hospital but then bringing these gifts for her especially this she’s going to remember this forever,” said Bagdad Yennes, mom to Sylvia Yennes, a pediatric patient at AdventHealth Tampa. “She came in here sick and she’s going home feeling good and with a great present.”

With a mission to deliver happiness to hospitalized kids and their families, Starlight is proud to honor certified child life specialist Axford with the Golden Hero Award for advocating for her patients and going above and beyond to ensure children receive the positive impact of Starlight programs, including Starlight Hospital Gowns, Gaming, Toy Deliveries, and now Virtual Reality. She has been integral in connecting the nonprofit to patients and families who need it most in the Tampa community.

"I am deeply honored to receive the Golden Hero award and be a part of the child life team at AdventHealth Tampa," Axford said. "My passion and purpose lie in helping children feel safe and secure during their hospital journey. Working in harmony with the Starlight Children's Foundation, we work hard to bring comfort, joy and a sense of normalcy to the incredible young patients we serve and their families."

“Hospitalization can be a scary and stressful experience for kids, often isolated from friends and families," said Adam Garone, CEO of Starlight Children’s Foundation. "We rely on many partners and donors to deliver vital programs that provide young patients with play, positive distraction and a sense of normalcy to help them feel more comfortable and supported during hospital stays. These annual awards are a way for us to honor and thank those who have demonstrated excellence, innovation and dedication in helping us transform hospital stays and improve kids’ wellbeing and health outcomes.”

Community members can also play a part in transforming hospital moments for seriously ill children. To learn more, visit starlight.org.