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Join the
Crusade
We encourage people across the country to offer
free laptops and Internet to sick children. There are not many
organizations doing what we do, so please join this crusade. Here are
some helpful suggestions if you’re interested in operating a program
like ours:
Contact a Social Worker or Child Life Specialist
at your nearest Children’s Hospital. If they are interested, ask for
a contact name that would be willing to distribute/place the
laptop(s). We recommend supporting the Pediatric Oncology Department
because children with cancer often experience long hospital visits
with compromised immune systems. Often they cannot leave their rooms
to use a shared computer that may be somewhere on the floor for
patients to use.
Always contact the Hospital’s Technology
Department for required laptop specifications. If they do not allow
patients to log on through their servers, the laptop should come
with a purchased (or donated) dial-up connection local to that
hospital (or wireless if Hospital supports.) Note that if the dial
in number is an “800” number, this may not work from hospital rooms
because many hospitals block toll free numbers from being used.
Next time there is a fundraiser in your community
for a very sick child, ask if a laptop with free Internet would be a
benefit to them.
Do not donate laptops that are too old to work
properly. The laptops should be Pentium Powered to work on today’s
Internet. Old or broken laptops will just frustrate patients and be
more of a nuisance than a help. Of course, new laptops with DVDs are
the best to donate. (Especially if they have a service contract.)
Make sure there is virus protection software
installed on the laptop. (I’ve learned this the hard way!)
Offer tech support with the laptop in case there
are problems. A simple label on the bottom of the laptop will keep
it simple for the medical staff to reach you.
If you are not technically able to fix computers,
contact your local High School or Vocational Center to see if
students would like to volunteer to work on them. It’s a great way
for students to get experience on computer technology, and also
teaches the importance of volunteerism and helping sick children.
Do not expect "Thank you’s" from patients.
Often times families are so overwhelmed with medical issues that
sending a note is impossible. Believe me, they are grateful and will
truly appreciate your efforts.
If you have any questions please feel free to
contact me at
leslie@grahamtastic.org
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