The portable, medical-grade video game kiosks help nurses provide bedside activities to children unable to leave their hospital room
CHICAGO, Thursday, September 19, 2019 — Lightstream, an innovator in live streaming technology, delivered two GO Karts, portable, medical-grade video game kiosks, to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago on August 6, 2019. These GO Karts were made possible through sponsorship and funds raised at Gamers Outreach’s annual fundraising event Gamers for Giving. A short video documenting the hospital delivery and history of Lightstream’s involvement with the charity can be viewed here.
Lightstream has been a proud supporter of Gamers for Giving since the company was founded, and has increased its involvement and sponsorship each year. As the title sponsor in 2019, Lightstream helped streamers raise enough money for dozens of Karts and even one of their own. A second Kart was donated through Lightstream’s community manager Brandon Stennis (IAmBrandon on Twitch) who participated as a streamer and raised the money from his viewers. Additionally, Lightstream matched donations for Mixer streamer ActaBunniFooFoo to raise enough for one Kart to be delivered to a hospital of his choice.
“Since the beginning, the Lightstream founders wanted to use our company to give back. Having been friends of Zach and Gamers Outreach for years, we became a small sponsor of the Streamer Zone at Gamers for Giving during our very first year of business with the goal of multiplying the streamers and Lightstream’s fundraising impact,” said Stu Grubbs, Lightstream CEO. “Every year we have increased that sponsorship as we were more successful and in 2019, we were proud to be the title sponsor for the event. While we have helped raise money for many karts over the years, 2019 was even more rewarding as we participated in our first hospital delivery and saw the real impact the karts and the organization have on these children and families. It feels special to take our love for gaming, our hard work on Lightstream, and use that to have an impact on so many lives.”
Gamers Outreach constructs portable, medical-grade video game kiosks called “GO Karts” (Gamers Outreach Karts). These kiosks enable nurses to easily provide bedside activities to children unable to leave their rooms in hospitals. Each GO Kart is equipped with a gaming console, monitor, and an assortment of games. The carts provide a safe, flexible, and efficient way to ensure kids have access to entertainment and coping mechanisms during long-term hospitalization. Each unit also has an internal lift mechanism, which allows healthcare staff to adjust the GO Kart to a patient’s bedside, accommodating a variety of medical scenarios which may limit a patient’s mobility.
In 2019 Gamers for Giving surpassed its goal generating nearly $640,000 in support of Gamers Outreach programs. They estimate these funds will help them support an additional 398,000 children and families. Since its inception in 2008, Gamers for Giving has become one of the largest LAN parties in North America. The weekend-long competitive gaming tournament, LAN party, and streamathon raises money through sponsorships, ticket sales, and donations from stream broadcasts to help fund Gamers Outreach programs year-to-year, including the GO Kart Program which provides entertainment devices to hospitalized children.
“We believe it’s important for Gamers for Giving to exist,” said Zach Wigal, Founder of Gamers Outreach.
“The event has become part of our cultural identity – it’s a chance for gamers to combine their passion for gaming with charitable action. It’s a live demonstration of what the community is capable of when we come together in service of others.”
For pictures from the ceremony please click here.
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About Lightstream
Lightstream is a Chicago-based startup built with a true passion for live video production, gaming and supporting the explosive growth of creators and their communities. Its cloud-based technology and products transform difficult technical hurdles into streamlined workflows. Lightstream empowers creators to effortlessly share their passion, talent, and creativity on live streaming platforms like Mixer, Twitch, Facebook, YouTube and more.
About Gamers Outreach
Founded in 2007, Gamers Outreach is a 501(c)(3) charity organization that provides equipment, technology, and software to help kids cope with treatment inside hospitals. We aim to inspire and heal patients through the power of interactive play.
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Media Contact:
Wendy Knowles
Lightstream
wendy@golightstream.com
(813) 447-9035
Ian Carr
Gamers Outreach
icarr@gamersoutreach.org
(203) 209-1203