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UPMC/University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences
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Andrea Kunicky
Media Coordinator
Telephone: 412-692-6254
Marc Lukasiak
Director
Telephone: 412-877-1656

Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC

Santa’s Sleigh to Make a CyberStop for Patients at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC

WHAT: Patients and families at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC will have a chance to meet with Santa and let him know what toys are on their wish lists this holiday season thanks to the Cisco Santa Connection Program. This interactive experience enables patients to remotely connect and communicate with Santa using Cisco’s video collaboration technologies. Santa will visit with children in the hospital’s playroom and, for those patients who aren’t able to leave their rooms, a mobile cart will help Santa travel room-to-room for a bedside visit.

WHO: Virtual Santa Claus; Children’s Hospital patients and families

WHEN: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011
9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Virtual Santa visits patient’s bedsides
1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Virtual Santa visits Austin’s Playroom

WHERE: Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, One Children’s Hospital Dr., 4401 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224

WHY: During the 2011 holiday season, more than 15 hospitals throughout the U.S. will participate in the Cisco Santa Connection Program. This interactive experience enables hospitalized children to remotely connect and communicate with Santa using Cisco’s video collaboration technologies. Through the magic of the Internet, children are connected over video directly to Santa’s workshop in the North Pole where they can share their wish lists directly with Old St. Nick. After a personal conversation with Santa, children can join their families and enjoy a holiday party complete with gifts at the hospital. The Santa Connection Program was developed four years ago to provide children and their families a bit of holiday cheer and happiness during their hospital stay.

Note to Media: Media interested in attending should park in the hospital’s main driveway and meet Andrea Kunicky in the lobby to be escorted to the event.

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