New England Cadillac Dealers Team with CBS EcoMedia to Donate 13 Starlight Children’s Foundation® Tablets to Three Regional Hospitals

BOSTON, August 21, 2013 /3BL Media/ – New England Cadillac Dealers have partnered with CBS EcoMedia Inc. through its WellnessAd advertising to fund 13 Starlight Tablets for three Boston area hospitals.

A special “Power On!” ceremony launched the program on Wednesday. The celebration took place at the Top of the Hub restaurants, and attendees included representatives from all New England area Cadillac dealers, executives of Starlight Children’s Foundation and hospital representatives. Hosts included: Paul Polizzotto, President and Founder of CBS EcoMedia; Joel Baker of Baker Cadillac in Leominster and President of the New England Cadillac Marketing Association; and Michelle Plasse, Global Accounts Director of Starlight Children’s Foundation. Special guests included: Maura Power and Stephanie Sharp, both Child Life Specialists at Boston Medical Center, Lauren Maietta and Kim Payva, both Child Life Specialists at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, and Ashley Durer, a former Starbright World teen member, who now attends Northeastern University.

Prior to the “Power On!” event at the Top of the Hub, New England Cadillac dealers took a private tour of Boston Medical Center to see first-hand the impact of the WellnessAd funding.  Cadillac’s financial support delivered a total of 13 Starlight Tablets to the following hospitals: Boston Medical Center, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, and an additional hospital to be selected in August. These Starlight Tablets funded by New England Cadillac Dealers will serve 6,331 pediatric patients per year.

Starlight Tablets feature on-demand Starlight digital educational programming and distractive entertainment. In addition, the program provides access to Starbright World, Starlight’s first-ever online social network for teens with chronic and life-threatening medical conditions, and their siblings. Members are able to connect globally with peers experiencing similar medical journeys.

Starlight Tablets are considered a critical resource for healthcare professionals to support the ongoing needs of kids while in the hospital. The tools and resources on a Starlight Tablet aid child life specialists in easing patients’ fears and empowering kids to cope with their diagnosis. Starlight Tablets come loaded with Starlight’s educational programming, a list of recommended applications and six of Starlight’s award-winning online educational programs. The Starlight Tablet is an invaluable way to offer Starlight’s programs and serve the evolving needs of hospitals and children through education, distraction and the healing power of play. 

“I was introduced to Starbright World by my Child Life Specialist. As soon as I signed on I found that I had so much support that I now have friends from all four corners of the United States who can relate to what I go through when I am in the hospital. After being a member for a few years, I was asked if I would like to volunteer for the program and now I get to give back to Starlight by welcoming in new users and helping them escape the reality that is the hospital setting.” – Erin, former Starbright World Teen Member

“As car dealers we are proud to represent an extraordinary brand like Cadillac, but more importantly we are proud and devoted members of our local community,” said Joel Baker of Baker Cadillac in Leominster and President of the New England Cadillac Marketing Association.  “When you have a chance to partner with premier organizations like EcoMedia and the Starlight Children’s Foundation, you take it.  The New England Cadillac Dealers are happy to have the opportunity to give back and fill this need, helping make these children’s difficult situation a little more bearable. ” 

““We are especially proud to partner with the New England Cadillac Dealers on bringing these amazing Starlight Tablets to the pediatric patients in the three hospitals we are supporting,” said Paul Polizzotto, President and Founder of CBS EcoMedia.  “After hearing first hand about the impact these tablets can have from former Starbright World member, Ashley Durer, we and our New England Cadillac Dealer advertisers are even more determined to use our public-private partnership with Starlight Children’s Foundation to improve the quality of life for children with serious medical conditions.  The more than 6,000 pediatric patients a year who use the new tablets Cadillac’s WellnessAd advertising funded are a testament to what’s possible when we use the power of advertising to achieve tangible social change.”

“Starlight Children’s Foundation improves the life and health of kids and families from hospital to home through generous donations from partners like the New England Cadillac Dealers and CBS EcoMedia,” said Jacqueline Hart-Ibrahim, global CEO of Starlight Children’s Foundation. “The Starlight Tablet is an invaluable way to offer Starlight’s programs and serve the evolving needs of hospitals and children through education, distraction and the healing power of play. Starlight is proud to work with donors and supporters to raise funds and awareness that directly benefit our partner healthcare facilities."

About New England Cadillac Dealers

The New England Cadillac Marketing Association is comprised of 14 dealers located in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, all dedicated to providing their guests with an unparalleled purchase and ownership experience.  Cadillac has been a leading luxury automotive brand since 1902 as has engineered a historic renaissance led by artful engineering and advanced technology. Lead by the all-new Cadillac ATS, the North American Car of the Year.  More information can be found at media.cadillac.com

About Starlight Children’s Foundation 

Over the past 30 years, Starlight Children’s Foundation has become a leading global charity that partners with experts to improve the life and health of kids and families around the world. Collaborating with innovators in pediatric healthcare, entertainment and technology, Starlight provides a unique blend of family-centered programs and services from hospital to home. Starlight partners with more than 1,750 healthcare facilities in Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, serving millions of children every year. To learn more, visit www.starlight.org, or follow us at facebook.com/StarlightChildrensFoundation and twitter.com/StarlightOnline.

About CBS EcoMedia Inc.

At EcoMedia, we're propelled by the desire to create positive social change; that's been our mission since we founded the company in 2002. In 2008, after successfully partnering with CBS on a wide range of environmental projects, EcoMedia became the newest addition to the CBS Corporation portfolio, exponentially scaling our reach across television, radio, interactive, publishing and outdoor media. 

Through our patent-pending EcoAd, WellnessAd and EducationAd programs, an innovative twist on traditional advertising, advertisers are able to support much-needed local projects which in turn creates jobs, saves taxpayer money and improves the quality of life in communities nationwide. In the process, we’re fundamentally altering the advertising landscape, elevating the ordinary, traditional commercial – and media, in general – into a catalyst for tangible, quantifiable social change. Please visit ecomediacbs.com to learn more. 

By participating in EcoMedia’s EcoAd, WellnessAd and EducationAd advertising programs, EcoMedia’s advertisers agree to provide funding for projects we believe will have a beneficial effect upon the environment, health and/or education within local communities. EcoMedia’s advertising programs are not certification programs nor are the EcoAd, WellnessAd or EducationAd logos seals of approval. EcoMedia does not in any way certify, endorse or make any representations about EcoMedia program advertisers, their products or services.