Generation Cures - make it better
About Us
What is Generation Cures?
Generation Cures is a safe online community for kids created by Children's Hospital Boston. Using web-based stories, games and original kid-directed video content, the site aims to teach and inspire kids, aged 8-12 years old, about the power of philanthropy and its potential to make the world a better place. Through fun game play and digital entertainment, we're "speaking kids' language" while inspiring them to care about others, to understand the concept of giving, and to believe they can make a difference in the world. Parents, relatives, and friends play important roles in helping to empower Generation Cures kids, providing support for the conversations we start online and that continue around the kitchen table, in the car, and in the classroom.
What is the content like?
Generation Cures features animated web stories and puzzle-adventure games created by award-winning researchers, educators, and designers. Kids learn about philanthropy and begin to realize the positive impact they can have on the world around them. In addition, we aim to excite them about science, scientific research and medicine. Generation Cures gives kids a chance to develop and strengthen skills in logic, reason, critical thinking, and creativity.
Do kids have to pay to access the site?
In contrast to popular sites such as Webkinz and Club Penguin, which charge monthly subscription fees of $15-20, Generation Cures' animated stories and games are free to kids who register on the site.
Why is Children's Hospital Boston doing this?
As one of the top two children's hospitals in the country, Children's Hospital Boston is dedicated to curing debilitating childhood diseases. Generation Cures is the kind of program that can make a dramatic difference, inspiring kids to make it better for other kids. Our ultimate hope is that the families who use and enjoy this site will make a gift to Children's Hospital Boston. The collective giving of the Generation Cures community will support doctors and scientists at Children's Hospital Boston dedicated to discovering life-altering cures and treatments for childhood diseases and illnesses around the globe.
Why are more funds needed?
Although children represent 20 percent of the U.S. population, only a small fraction of our national funding for medical research is allocated to finding cures to pediatric illnesses. There simply isn't enough funding to find cures and better therapies for suffering children. This situation not only hurts kids, it impacts our ability to cure life- threatening adult diseases that have their roots in childhood such as heart disease and diabetes. By increasing investment in pediatric research now, we will not only be helping sick children today, we will be funding discoveries that will advance adult health as well.
When are you formally launching Generation Cures?
We are quietly testing the program through the summer. Think of it as our "beta" period. We will be refining and adding more content to the site over the next few months, learning from our early community members and announcing our formal launch in coming months.
