Microsoft Canada CLICKs with CHEO Youth Council

Microsoft works with youth at Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario to enhance technology

OTTAWA, April 15 /CNW/ - Representatives from Microsoft Canada and Corporate Renaissance Group met today with the Youth Council at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) to measure the success of the Child Life Interactive Computers for Kids (CLICK) program and find ways to enhance the current technology program.

The CLICK program, the first of its kind in Canada, was launched at CHEO on May 25, 2005 through an association between Microsoft Canada and the Children's Miracle Network (CMH). CLICK enables youth to use technology to stay better connected with family, friends and school during lengthy or frequent periods of hospitalization. As part of the program, Microsoft Canada also funds a Child Life Specialist to teach the children and their parents how to use the technology.

Today's meeting was an opportunity for Microsoft Canada to receive feedback from the young people using the CLICK program. Engaging youth at children's hospitals is a unique practice and has resulted in the creation of a virtual classroom at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax and a virtual nursery at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire du Québec's Mother and Child Technology Centre in Quebec City.

Quotes:

"We have seen the transformative impact technology can have on children in the hospital through our experience with CLICK across Canada," says Gavin Thompson, Director of Citizenship, Microsoft Canada. "Today's brainstorm session with the youth was a lot of fun - it's truly amazing to witness the power of a child's imagination and I'm really excited to see how these ideas will evolve into new technologies for the hospital in the coming months."

"We are pleased to have the continued support of Microsoft Canada," said Norma Lamont, Vice President, Community Development, CHEO Foundation. "The CLICK program has received immensely positive feedback from the youth at the hospital and continues to be a great example of how innovative and exciting approaches to corporate social responsibility can have an important and lasting impact."

"Corporate Renaissance Group is excited to work with CHEO and Microsoft to bring new technologies to the hospital. We look forward to using our unique set of skills and the combined commitment of our team of employees to support CHEO and the CLICK program," said Dr. Vijay Jog, Founder and President, Corporate Renaissance Group.

    
    Fast Facts:

    Microsoft has donated over $1 million to the CLICK program at four
participating CMN hospitals:
      -  Alberta Children's Hospital (Calgary, Alberta)
      -  Centre Hospitalier Universitaire du Quebec (Quebec City, Quebec)
      -  Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (Ottawa, Ontario)
      -  IWK Health Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia)

    The program integrates a combination of donations from Microsoft:
      -  Three years of funding support for a Child Life Specialist
      -  Wireless network
      -  Hardware and software (laptops, tablet PCs, web cameras,
         Microsoft(R) Windows Vista(R) operating system, Microsoft(R)
         Windows 7(R) operating system and Roundtable)
      -  Xbox(R) and games appropriate for various age groups
      -  Technical support
      -  Internet connectivity
      -  Furniture (desks and chairs)
    

About CHEO

CHEO is a world-class pediatric health care centre, offering services to children and youth (from birth through to 18 years) who live in Eastern Ontario, Western Quebec, Baffin Island and beyond. CHEO is the primary pediatric teaching hospital of the University of Ottawa, where most of its physicians hold faculty appointments. CHEO is also partnered with 17 other hospitals in Eastern Ontario, providing specialized pediatric services, and contributing pediatric knowledge and expertise.

About Microsoft Canada

Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Co. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq "MSFT") the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. Headquartered in Mississauga, Microsoft Canada has nine regional offices across the country dedicated to empowering people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. For more information on Microsoft Canada, please visit www.microsoft.ca. For more information on Microsoft Canada's citizenship initiatives, please visit www.citizenship.microsoft.ca.

About Corporate Renaissance Group

Established in 1989, Corporate Renaissance Group is a global provider of innovative solutions that drive better business management and performance. With expertise in business management applications, CRG has established itself as a leading provider of solutions that improve corporate and employee performance. CRG is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, with offices throughout Canada, South Africa, India and the United States. CRG offers global solutions to global challenges. For more information, visit www.crgroup.com.

For further information: Stephanie Bell, Media Profile, w. [phone], c. [phone], [email protected]