Kids' Health Links Foundation (KHLF), McMaster Children's Hospital (MCH) and TELUS today announced the launch of Upopolis.com, the first secure online social network for kids in hospital care.
Upopolis.com is powered by TELUS and provides the best features of social networking for young patients who often feel isolated when they're in the hospital.
The site will provide a personal profile, secure mail, instant chat, discussion boards, personal blogs and links to child-friendly games.
It also provides unique features to kids in hospital like a homework site to stay up-to-date with their schoolwork, links to kid-friendly health and wellness information, and connections to other children with the same condition.
The online support network was inspired by the hospital experiences of two teenage friends, Christina Papaevangelou and Katy McDonald.
In February 2002, Christina was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at McMaster Children's Hospital with a life-threatening illness. Shortly after, Katy was diagnosed with cancer and had to be hospitalized for a long period of time, feeling disconnected from friends, family and keeping up with schoolwork.
Sadly, Katy lost her battle with cancer.
However, their friendship and common experiences inspired Christina to explore ways to help kids in care stay connected.
"Christina and I established Kids' Health Links Foundation to make a difference in the lives of hospitalized children," said Christina's father, Basile Papaevangelou, who is the chairman and founder of KHLF.
Mr. Papaevangelou appreciated the care Christina received so much that he wanted to make a lasting contribution to health care for kids.
"With our partners, McMaster Children's Hospital and TELUS, we are taking the first step in what we committed to accomplish: the launch of Upopolis, a Canada-wide program that enhances the lives of hospitalized children."
Source: announcement CNW Group
Editor:
"I think this is a wonderful project and monitored and secure access to the web is a necessity nowadays. This is another great example of how online communities are no longer the future, but the present. It will take these kids mind off their illness and they can connect with their peers whithout having to leave their beds or other confinements to take part in 'normal' society. Way to go!"
Upopolis.com is powered by TELUS and provides the best features of social networking for young patients who often feel isolated when they're in the hospital.
The site will provide a personal profile, secure mail, instant chat, discussion boards, personal blogs and links to child-friendly games.
It also provides unique features to kids in hospital like a homework site to stay up-to-date with their schoolwork, links to kid-friendly health and wellness information, and connections to other children with the same condition.
The online support network was inspired by the hospital experiences of two teenage friends, Christina Papaevangelou and Katy McDonald.
In February 2002, Christina was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at McMaster Children's Hospital with a life-threatening illness. Shortly after, Katy was diagnosed with cancer and had to be hospitalized for a long period of time, feeling disconnected from friends, family and keeping up with schoolwork.
Sadly, Katy lost her battle with cancer.
However, their friendship and common experiences inspired Christina to explore ways to help kids in care stay connected.
"Christina and I established Kids' Health Links Foundation to make a difference in the lives of hospitalized children," said Christina's father, Basile Papaevangelou, who is the chairman and founder of KHLF.
Mr. Papaevangelou appreciated the care Christina received so much that he wanted to make a lasting contribution to health care for kids.
"With our partners, McMaster Children's Hospital and TELUS, we are taking the first step in what we committed to accomplish: the launch of Upopolis, a Canada-wide program that enhances the lives of hospitalized children."
Source: announcement CNW Group
Editor:
"I think this is a wonderful project and monitored and secure access to the web is a necessity nowadays. This is another great example of how online communities are no longer the future, but the present. It will take these kids mind off their illness and they can connect with their peers whithout having to leave their beds or other confinements to take part in 'normal' society. Way to go!"
