Video Calls to Santa Boost Holiday Spirits of Patients at Children's Hospitals

Video Calls to Santa Boost Holiday Spirits of Patients at Children's Hospitals

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Young patients at ten Children's Hospitals throughout the country will get a special opportunity this holiday season to engage in live video conversations with Santa Claus direct from their hospital rooms to his workshop at the "North Pole."

Through a free program sponsored by VoIP and videophone service provider 8x8, Inc., each participating hospital will host "Call Santa" sessions on-site for patients and their families, allowing hospital-bound children to have personal conversations with Santa over the recently introduced Packet8 VideoPhone. Santa's "North Pole" workshop at 8x8's Santa Clara, California headquarters is stocked with holiday decorations and gifts from an employee toy drive which will be shipped to the hospitals in time for Christmas.

According to Mary Gander of the Child Life Department at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, which has already hosted two "Call Santa" events: "The kids loved it! It was truly awesome to see the faces of these children as they exchanged smiles and wishes with Santa. The videophone gave them a chance to celebrate the season in a very exciting and meaningful way."

Children's Hospitals participating in the "Call Santa" program include:

-- Shriners Children's Hospital -- Honolulu, HI
-- Cincinnati Children's Hospital -- Cincinnati, OH
-- Chris Evert Children's Hospital -- Ft. Lauderdale, FL
-- Children's Hospital of Michigan -- Detroit, MI
-- Miami Children's Hospital -- Miami, FL
-- Miller Children's Hospital -- Long Beach, CA
-- Lucille Packard Children's Hospital -- Stanford, CA
-- Cook's Children's Medical Center -- Ft. Worth, TX
-- Johns Hopkins Children's Medical Center -- Baltimore, MD
-- Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center -- Idaho Falls, ID



"It's very heartwarming to see our technology being put to use in this manner," said 8x8 Chairman and CEO Bryan Martin. "Using video to add meaning and depth to a dialogue between two people, particularly when circumstances preclude face to face contact, is really what it's all about."

The Packet8 VideoPhone, introduced in June 2004, delivers high-quality, full-motion video and clear, delay-free audio over any broadband (high-speed Cable, DSL or corporate LAN) Internet connection. Using 8x8's Packet8 broadband phone service, Packet8 Videophone subscribers receive unlimited video calling and regular voice calling in the U.S. and Canada for $29.95/month as well as unlimited worldwide video and audio-only calling to other Packet8 subscribers.

About 8x8, Inc.

VoIP (voice over internet protocol) service provider 8x8, Inc. offers internet-based telephony solutions (www.packet8.net) for individual residential and business users as well as small to medium sized business organizations. In addition to regular Packet8 VoIP service plans, priced as low as $19.95 per month for unlimited anytime calling to the U.S. and Canada, 8x8 now offers the Packet8 DV 326 VideoPhone, the industry's first stand alone broadband consumer videophone. Packet8 Virtual Office, 8x8's VoIP system for small to medium sized businesses, is a hosted PBX solution comprised of powerful business class features. For additional company information, visit 8x8's web site at www.8x8.com .

NOTE: 8x8, the 8x8 logo, Packet8, the Packet8 logo and Packet8 Virtual Office are trademarks of 8x8, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.


Source: 8x8, Inc.

CONTACT: Joan Citelli of 8x8, Inc., +1-408-316-1290, or
JCitelli@8x8.com

Web site: http://www.8x8.com/


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