BUSY SANTA MAKES A VIRTUAL VISIT TO Children’s health Ireland patients
BUSY SANTA MAKES A VIRTUAL VISIT TO Children’s Health Ireland patients
Dec. 5, 2023
All CHI locations
News
He’s making a list, he’s checking it twice, he’s… dialling in!
A busy Santa embraced the digital age to find out what some special patients on Children’s Health Ireland’s cancer ward are looking for this Christmas.
This year, instead of sending their Christmas lists to the post to the North Pole, children on St. John’s Ward in CHI at Crumlin got the chance to share them with Santa personally! Santa paid them a virtual visit today, taking some important time out during his busiest time of year. Some lucky children in CHI at Temple St will also have a chance to speak to the man himself in the Multisensory Room tomorrow morning.
With the help of video communications technology from Cisco, Santa ‘dropped in’ to the hospital to say hello and to hear the children’s Christmas wishes. In partnership with Children's Health Foundation, Cisco’s Connected Santa programme gives young patients and their families the opportunity to speak directly to Santa in the North Pole, as elves deliver presents and help virtually connect to Santa in the North Pole, via Cisco Webex.
Carolyn Parse is a Senior Play Specialist with CHI at Crumlin, she explained:
““For the children staying in hospital this Christmas, it is very important that Santa knows where to find them! They were all delighted to speak directly to the North Pole today and Santa assured us that he will find us here no problem. The children loved meeting the elves too and were really delighted with their early Christmas surprises. Thank you so much to Cisco for dialling us in.”
Karen Maguire Director of Nursing, CHI at Crumlin, said:
““While we try to get as many children as we can home for Christmas, around 100 very ill children will spend this Christmas Day at Children’s Health Ireland. “Having a child with a serious illness puts a lot of strain on families, particularly at this time of year. That is why coming up to Christmas this magical event organised by Cisco is an amazing experience, bringing joy and fun to the children and a major distraction from their treatment. Cisco’s Connected Santa programme brings that all-important Christmas sparkle to the ward and it puts a smile on all of our faces”.
Shane Heraty, Managing Director for Scotland & Ireland said,
“‘We're proud that our dedicated volunteers contribute towards bringing a touch of North Pole magic to hospitalised children and their families, helping to brighten their holiday season despite the challenges they face. Through Cisco's Connected Santa programme, young patients are given the opportunity to speak to Santa via Webex technology, while our elf volunteers personally deliver gifts to children at the hospital."
Children’s Health Ireland reached out to Santa Claus for a statement, and he said:
““I was so happy to speak to so many very brave and very good little boys and girls in Children’s Health Ireland. I have no doubts at all that they will all make the nice list. Now I really should get back to work, it’s only 20 days until Christmas!”
