The Starlight Children's Foundation and Optus today announced the roll out of Livewire's hospital program at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) and Joondalup Health Campus.

The Livewire Hospital Program aims to have a significant impact on the social and emotional wellbeing of young patients currently spending long or frequent periods of time at PMH and Joondalup Health Campus.

Livewire, with the support of Optus, has provided a wireless internet connection and laptops at PMH and Joondalup Health Campus to allow patients to access Livewire from the bedside. Livewire offers young patients a free, safe and supportive online community to hang out, connect, share experiences, creatively express themselves and know that they are not alone in their situation. Patients can play games, listen to music, watch videos, create blogs and chat online with other members.

Federal Member for Curtin Julie Bishop congratulated the Starlight Children's Foundation and Optus for providing this valuable service to young people in Princess Margaret Hospital and Joondalup Health Campus.

"The ability to remain in contact with family and friends is vital in supporting young people through a difficult time in their lives and will lessen the sense of isolation as they undergo treatment," Ms Bishop said.

Optus' support for Livewire makes it possible for young people to stay connected during long periods of separation caused by ongoing treatment. It also helps them to get the support that they need from other young people facing similar challenges.

"Communication breaks down barriers and connects people. Optus is excited to bring the Livewire hospital program to Perth for the first time at PMH and Joondalup Health Campus as these two hospitals will help connect young people in need in the West," said Rohan Ganeson Managing Director, Optus Small and Medium Business.

"This program will help young people to communicate and support one another in a safe environment using Optus' mobile broadband technology and we will be connecting a total of 26 metro and regional hospitals across the country by the end of 2010," he concluded.

At PMH, Livewire is working closely with Club Ado, a Starlight Children's Foundation initiative, which gives hospitalised teenagers a dedicated space of their own including exclusive access to a games room, cafe, arts area, media studio and lounge. Teenagers at PMH can access Livewire.org.au in Club Ado, in the Starlight Express Room, in the outpatients department or from the bedside in the adolescent ward.

"Club Ado is excited to collaborate with Livewire to provide teenagers at PMH a range of entertaining and supportive options for hospital and home. Livewire allows teenagers to stay in touch with friends made in Club Ado using Livewire's safe and secure online community," said Laura Motherway, Hospital Program Manager WA/SA, Starlight Children's Foundation.

"It's wonderful to see the launch of an innovative communication tool for young people spending time at PMH. The Livewire service offers a unique opportunity for patients to access a support network of peers going through similar experiences across Australia and we know that sharing experiences is an important part of the treatment process" said Philip Aylward, Executive Director, Child and Adolescent Health Service.

Joondalup Health Campus Chief Executive Officer Kempton Cowan said the Livewire program would make the hospital experience for young patients a more positive one.

"The Livewire program will help distract patients from their pain and encourage them to better understand their illness by sharing their experiences with people in similar situations," he said.

CEO of the Starlight Children's Foundation, Louise Baxter says, "With the tremendous support of Livewire's affiliate partners, hospitals, medical professionals and Optus, Livewire has quickly become the leading online community for young people living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability in Australia."

"With a full suite of community tools, including chat, blogs and forums, Livewire is a fun place for young Australians to hang out and provide invaluable support for each other," Louise Baxter concluded.

Unlike other social networks, Livewire is a secure, moderated community tailored to the needs of its members. Livewire chat hosts and moderators are trained in adolescent health, and are online seven days a week to ensure that Livewire remains a supportive and fun place to be. Livewire works closely with the Australian Federal Police to help ensure all members of Livewire remain safe while engaging with the community.

This project is supported by funding from the Australian Government under the Clever Networks program, Starlight and major corporate partners such as Optus. This funding has enabled Livewire to develop a unique and valuable program that will connect, support and empower its members.

Any young Australian aged over 10 and under 21, who is currently living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability who wishes to join Livewire or find out more information should visit www.livewire.org.au or contact member.services@livewire.org.au.

For further details or to arrange an interview please contact:
Ellie Shaddick, Howorth, Ph: 02-8281 3834, Mob: 0415 900 980, Email: ellie@howorth.com.au
Carla Dovgan, Howorth, Ph: 02-8281 3817, Mob: 0411 437 411, Email: carla@howorth.com.au
Simone Bergholcs, Optus Corporate Affairs, Ph: 02 8082 7850

About Livewire.org.au
Livewire.org.au is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Starlight Children's Foundation and is supported by funding from the Australian Government under the Clever Networks Program, Starlight Children's Foundation and in-kind support from Livewire's launch partners. www.livewire.org.au

About the Starlight Children's Foundation
Since 1988, the Starlight Children's Foundation has been providing innovative programs designed to lift the spirits of these children, young people and their families when they need it most. There are over 600,000 child and teenager admissions to Australian hospitals every year and currently Starlight is only able to reach "1 in 3". Starlight's ultimate goal is to enable every seriously ill child, young person and their family the opportunity to access and benefit from Starlight's innovative programs. www.starlight.org.au

About Club Ado
Club Ado is a Starlight Children's Foundation initiative based out of Princess Margaret Hospital in Perth. Club Ado gives hospitalised teenagers aged 12-19 a dedicated space of their own, including exclusive access to a games room, cafe, arts area, media studio and lounge.

About Optus
Optus is an Australian leader in integrated communications. The company specialises in a broad range of communications services including mobile, local, national and long distance telephony, business network services, internet and satellite services and subscription television.

For Optus, corporate responsibility and business success go hand in hand. We believe that our responsibility as a leading corporate is more than just solid financial performance. Our responsibility to our society, our people and environment is also important. We partner with organisations that work to improve the welfare of the communities in which we operate. Optus is the exclusive telecommunications partner of Starlight and Livewire Program. We partner with organisations where there are shared objectives and where through the use of our technology, products and services, we can help build better communities and remove barriers that may prevent people from accessing the benefits of technology. For more information please visit www.optus.com.au/corporateresponsibility.

About the Clever Networks Program
The Livewire project is supported by funding from the Australian Government under the Clever Networks program. Clever Networks is a program of the Australian Government Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. The Clever Networks program delivers innovative broadband services to communities in regional, rural and remote Australia. www.dbcde.gov.au