Disney donates mobile movie theater units, character-themed hospital wear, toys and more to children’s hospitals across Florida in collaboration with Starlight Children’s Foundation
Tampa, Fla. (March 10, 2023) – Walt Disney World Resort and Starlight Children’s Foundation surprised patients at AdventHealth for Children, a part of AdventHealth Tampa, with some extra pixie dust on Friday, delivering a special mobile movie theater unit, character-themed hospital wear, toys and more as part of Disney’s global commitment to help reimagine the patient experience in children’s hospitals around the world.
“We know that a little Disney magic can go a long way in making someone’s day, and that’s exactly why events like these are so important to us,” said Tajiana Ancora-Brown, Director of External Affairs at Walt Disney World Resort. “A hospital stay can often be overwhelming, and we hope these special deliveries will bring new happy memories, inspire hope and help build resilience for these patients and families across Florida and around the world.”
Mickey Mouse joined in the celebration at AdventHealth for Children along with Disney leaders and cast members as patients enjoyed an advanced screening of Disney On Ice presents Frozen & Encanto to mark the arrival of this new theater in a distinctly Disney way. B-roll and interviews from the screening can be found here and photos can be found here.
Moving forward, this theater will bring new releases and beloved classics to help create positive memories during a child’s time at the hospital, as well as immersive experiences and personal moments that deliver joy and comfort. Patients and families will be able to continue enjoying the latest Disney storytelling through complimentary Disney+ access and first run movies through Disney Movie Moments, both provided to child life professionals.
“Our hearts are full knowing we can ease the burden and anxiety for our young patients and their families – at least for a little while,” said Bruce Bergherm, President and CEO of AdventHealth Tampa. “We believe in healing the whole person – body, mind and spirit – and this opportunity is exactly what our patients need as part of their recovery to feel whole.”
This delivery from Walt Disney World Resort marks the first of six donations by Disney taking place in hospitals and nonprofit organizations across Florida throughout March, including: Wolfson Children’s Hospital at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation in Miami, Golisano Children’s Hospital of South West Florida in Ft. Myers, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg and Give Kids The World Village in Kissimmee. Disney Cruise Line is making an additional five deliveries to hospitals in Florida and other port cities, with more taking place around the world throughout the year.
This is all made possible by the company’s continued collaboration with Starlight Children’s Foundation to bring the positive power of Disney stories to children’s hospitals, together.
Through the collaboration, Starlight Children’s Foundation offers Disney-themed Starlight hospital wear, care packages and deliveries of toys and games to its nationwide network of children’s hospitals, including AdventHealth for Children. Used as engagement tools by child life specialists, these programs help young patients get through the stress of medical procedures and hospitalization.
“We’re honored and grateful to have a longstanding relationship with Disney in helping us achieve our mission of delivering happiness to seriously ill kids and their families,” said Adam Garone, CEO of Starlight Children’s Foundation. “Together for over 20 years, we’ve been transforming the hospital experience through programs that entertain and provide comfort to kids at a time when they need it most.”
These efforts build on Disney’s long legacy of supporting those in need and joins other recent initiatives like welcoming back regular character visits to our local Central Florida children’s hospitals.
###
Walt Disney World Resort: Walt Disney World Resort is a world-class entertainment and recreation destination featuring four of the most popular theme parks from around the globe, two thrilling water parks, nearly 29,000 hotel rooms, a sports complex, several golf courses and Disney Springs — a metropolis of shopping, dining and entertainment. Since 1971, Walt Disney World has focused on delivering legendary guest service and one-of-a-kind experiences that make it the number one vacation destination in the world where families create magical memories.
AdventHealth Tampa: AdventHealth Tampa is a not-for-profit 626-bed tertiary hospital specializing in cardiovascular medicine, digestive health, neuroscience, orthopedics, women’s services, pediatrics, oncology, ENT, endocrinology, bariatrics, wound healing, sleep medicine and general surgery including minimally invasive and robotic-assisted procedures. The 314,000 square foot Taneja Center for Surgery at AdventHealth Tampa opened in 2021 with the future in mind, including 18 state-of-the-art operating rooms and 96 private patient rooms that will ensure life-saving medical and surgical care for generations to come. Also located at AdventHealth Tampa is the renowned AdventHealth Pepin Heart Institute, a recognized leader in cardiovascular disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment and leading-edge research. The modern adult and pediatric-dedicated emergency rooms introduce the emergency physician at the beginning of the visit, an example of how AdventHealth Tampa is committed to providing compassionate and quality healthcare. For more information go to AdventHealthTampa.com.
AdventHealth West Florida Division: The West Florida Division of AdventHealth has some of the nation’s brightest medical minds making lifesaving breakthroughs with surgical pioneers, scientists and researchers using leading edge technology and innovation to deliver our brand of whole-person care. Our network of care includes AdventHealth Carrollwood, AdventHealth Connerton, AdventHealth Dade City, AdventHealth Heart of Florida, AdventHealth Lake Placid, AdventHealth Lake Wales, AdventHealth North Pinellas, AdventHealth Ocala, AdventHealth Sebring, AdventHealth Tampa, AdventHealth Wauchula, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and AdventHealth Zephyrhills, as well as seven freestanding offsite Emergency Rooms including AdventHealth Belleview ER, AdventHealth Brandon ER, AdventHealth Central Pasco ER, AdventHealth Four Corners ER, AdventHealth Palm Harbor ER, AdventHealth TimberRidge ER, and AdventHealth Westchase ER. We are more than hospitals, as we have a robust system of care including specialty acute care, over 200 primary care and specialty employed physicians, Express Care at Walgreens clinics, urgent care centers, wound care, physical therapy, home care, mobile mammography and more. AdventHealth is a faith-based not-for-profit health care system with a mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ. AdventHealth has hundreds of care sites and nearly 50 hospitals across the United States. For more information about AdventHealth, visit AdventHealth.com, or Facebook.com/AdventHealth, and for West Florida Division, click here.
Starlight Children’s Foundation: Starlight Children’s Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization that delivers happiness to seriously ill or injured children and their families. Since 1982, Starlight’s ground-breaking and innovative programs, like Starlight Hospital Wear, Starlight Gaming, and Starlight Virtual Reality, have impacted 21 million kids at more than 800 children’s hospitals across the U.S. To learn more and to help Starlight deliver happiness to seriously ill kids, visit www.starlight.org and follow Starlight on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
