Certified child life specialists are some of the strongest advocates for Games For Love because they see firsthand how gaming therapy transforms a child’s hospital stay. They’re the boots on the ground, working closely with young patients and witnessing how distraction and play can bring relief in difficult moments.

“We work closely with the child life specialists in hospitals to determine how we can best serve the kids in their care. Every hospital and care facility is slightly different, but the one constant is that these specialists understand how play therapy can impact the emotional and mental well-being of young patients,” says Marko Realmonte, Games For Love’s Marketing Director.

That’s exactly what’s happening at Kentucky Children’s Hospital (KCH), where Games For Love donated eight much-needed gaming consoles for the Kloiber Foundation Teen Lounge. This partnership impacts an estimated 194,000 kids who will pass through KCH.

For eleven-year-old Colten, the lounge has become a sanctuary during his fourth hospital stay. Between tests and procedures, he spends hours playing video games, finding joy and distraction. “This place has been a silver lining,” said Colten’s dad.

Colten agrees: “It’s the best room in the whole hospital!”

Supervising the lounge is Cody Dean, gaming and technology specialist for KCH’s Child Life program—one of a handful of such specialists in children’s hospitals nationwide. Dean has gotten to know Colten and many other patients well. “Patients truly love this space, with many not wanting to leave at the end of the day,” said Dean. “I’ve heard patients say things like, ‘For the time I was in here, I actually forgot that I was sick,’ and ‘For the first time since being in the hospital, I feel like myself again.’ That’s exactly our goal.”

Jennifer Guilliams, director of the Child Life program at KCH, has seen how technology has reshaped the way her team supports patients, “Child life services strive to provide the tools needed to help children and teens cope with the stress of hospitalization. These child-friendly tools have evolved over the years, and technology has become an amazing resource for our department.”

That technology includes video games, VR, 3D printers, and creative software that give patients a chance to explore, express themselves, and even connect with others outside the hospital. “Video games provide patients with an escape into immersive and beautiful worlds,” Dean explains. “During my time here, I’ve seen patients experience a sense of accomplishment as they reach milestones in games, offering them a healthy way to process their emotions.”

The impact doesn’t stop with the patients. Parents and caregivers, knowing their children are safely engaged, can take a much-needed break or step away for other responsibilities. “Ultimately, the Teen Lounge creates a comforting environment where patients can relax, be themselves, and find moments of joy during their stay,” Dean said. “I strive every day to make a positive memory for every patient that I work with.”

This partnership between Games For Love and Kentucky Children’s Hospital is a powerful example of how play can be more than just fun—it can be therapy, connection, and healing. Together, we’re working to ensure every child has the chance to find moments of joy, even in the hardest times.

You can help bring more healing spaces like this to children’s hospitals across the country.
Donate today and give kids the gift of play, distraction, and hope during their hospital journey.