Sick Children Find An Online Support System Through The Ericsson Internet Community Awards

An idea to provide seriously ill, homebound children from low-income families with a Web-based support system, has evolved into an interactive, philanthropic Web site for Kids'HealthLINK -- a San Francisco-based non-profit organization and one of the winners of the 1999 Ericsson Internet Community Awards (ERICA). Launched today, the Kids'HealthLINK Web site (http://www.kidshealthlink.org) was built using Web development services and technology assistance awarded by ERICA, a global social marketing ideas competition sponsored and developed by Ericsson.

"The ERICA awards are about using the Internet and technology to improve the delivery of services and information for non-profit organizations and the increasing number of individuals who depend upon them," said Jennifer Hilborn, manager, social marketing, Ericsson. "We are very pleased to see our first ERICA winning application make a difference in someone's life by building an online community and facilitating communication -- this is what this awards program is all about."
Kids'HealthLINK was one of three winners selected from more than 1,400 entries in last year's inaugural ERICA program. The mission of the ERICA program is to help philanthropic organizations use Internet technology effectively to realize their missions, expand social objectives, and share visionary ideas for community building via the web. This year, Ericsson is awarding $500,000 USD in web development services to five non-profit organizations ($100,000 each) with innovative and feasible ideas for web-based applications.
"After helping my mother battle cancer and witness her feelings of isolation and loneliness, I decided to start this non-profit organization to provide families with peace of mind while homebound," said Peter Gager, director of Kids'HealthLINK. "Now, through the addition of a Web site, we have the ability to create a network of friends for the children and a wealth of information for the parents which will ultimately help overcome obstacles."
By developing this Web site, Kids'HealthLINK expands the support and resources available to children from low-income households living with severe illnesses such as cancer and HIV/AIDS. After being treated and released from the hospital, children can register for an email account through the site and communicate with friends, doctors, nurses and teachers. There is also a gallery area where children can post pictures and artwork.
Kids'HealthLINK provides parents with a resource directory of links to research and learn about the illnesses that affect their children. In addition, there is a calendar of local events, information on volunteer programs and links to join local support groups online throughout the San Francisco and Bay area. Locally Kids'HealthLINK will provide eligible families with in-home Internet access and tutoring.
Last year, Ericsson partnered with several independent Web development firms to provide the winners with design and development services. AppNet, a provider of end-to-end e-business solutions based in Washington D.C., helped deliver the Kids'HealthLINK site by capturing their vision and creating a working structure for even the most novice users to operate despite several challenges.
"The users of the Kids'HealthLINK site are primarily from low income families and typically don't have PCs at home," said Ken Weber, director of nonprofits for AppNet. "As a result, we chose a solution that could be used easily through WebTV, often a less expensive alternative to home computers."
With Kids'HealthLINK now online, Gager plans to work with several local hospitals in the San Francisco area to further promote the site to children and their families. Additional support for the project comes from the California Telehealth and Telemedicine Center.
The ERICA 2000 program is open to any registered, non-profit organization based anywhere in the world. 
Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with communications solutions that combine telecom and datacom technologies with the freedom of mobility for the user. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for its customers -- network operators, service providers, enterprises and consumers -- the world over.