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Starlight and Fandom Partner to Deliver Happiness to Hospitalized Kids

July 28, 2022

Leaders from both organizations visit George Mark Children's House

SAN LEANDRO, Calif., July 28, 2022 – Hospitalization can be one of the most stressful experiences for kids coping with serious illnesses or injuries. However, Starlight Children's Foundation and Fandom are teaming up to change that.

Today, Starlight Children's Foundation announced plans to further its partnership with San Francisco-based Fandom to deliver happiness to hospitalized kids and their families.

"We're incredibly grateful for the partnership with Fandom in helping us create one-of-a-kind Starlight Hospital Gowns that inspire seriously ill kids to be strong and courageous when they need it most," said Adam Garone, CEO of Starlight Children's Foundation. "We look forward to further developing this partnership to bring more smiles to kids to help them heal. This is what Fandom with a purpose is about."

The partnership began a year ago when Fandom hosted the 2021 Design-A-Gown contest inspiring its fan base to create a design for one of Starlight's Hospital Gowns. After a nationwide search, the submission entered by Jory Hemmelgarn, a product designer based in Los Angeles, won by public vote.

The design? The gender-neutral "Fantasy" gown, with a paladin riding a unicorn galloping on a rainbow in deep space, ready to conquer anything that gets in their way – even challenging illnesses.

"We hear many stories from families and clinicians throughout our hospital network about how Starlight Gowns can transform the hospital experience of kids with serious illnesses. Once a child puts on a gown with a princess or a superhero, they take on the character's persona and their mood changes. They light up and smile," Garone said.

To help unveil and distribute the "Fantasy" gown to young patients, Perkins Miller, CEO of Fandom, joined Starlight Children's Foundation at George Mark Children's House, a Starlight facility partner that provides life-affirming care for children with illnesses that modern healthcare cannot yet cure or those with chronic medical conditions.

"We're privileged to be the hub for thousands of fandoms and we're honored to play a small part in making the day brighter for children within the Starlight organization," said Perkins Miller, CEO of Fandom.

Starlight Hospital Gowns are made with high-quality pajama-like fabric that pediatric patients prefer over less comfortable ones. The gowns also have other unique design features, like snaps on the sleeves and ties down the side, offering more privacy and easy access for medical procedures.

In addition to Starlight Hospital Gowns, other programs, including Starlight Gaming, Starlight Virtual Reality, and more, are available free of charge to over 800 pediatric facilities that are part of Starlight's healthcare network.

Community members can also play a part in transforming the hospital moment for seriously ill children. Anyone can donate a Starlight Hospital Gown by visiting starlight.org/hospital-wear.

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About Starlight Children's Foundation

Starlight Children's Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization that delivers happiness to seriously ill or injured children and their families. Since 1982, Starlight's ground-breaking and innovative programs, like Starlight Virtual Reality, Starlight Hospital Wear, and Starlight Gaming, have impacted 21 million kids at more than 800 children's hospitals across the U.S.

To learn more and to help Starlight deliver happiness to seriously ill kids, visit www.starlight.org and follow Starlight on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Contact: Rick Jardiolin, Director of Public Relations & Communications

424-245-3675 | rick.jardiolin@starlight.org

About Fandom

Fandom is the world's largest fan platform where fans immerse themselves in imagined worlds across entertainment and gaming. Reaching more than 300 million unique visitors per month and hosting more than 250,000 wikis, Fandom.com is the #1 source for in-depth information on pop culture, gaming, TV and film, where fans learn about and celebrate their favorite fandoms. Fandom's Gaming division manages the online video game retailer Fanatical. Fandom Productions, the content arm of Fandom, enhances the fan experience through curated editorial coverage and branded content, its Emmy-nominated Honest Trailers and the weekly video news program The Loop. For more information follow @getfandom or visit: www.fandom.com.

Contact: Brenna Harran, Corporate Communications Manager

631-902-9801 | bharran@fandom.com