Cisco is dedicated to using our technology around the world to make a positive difference in the lives of people and local communities. This December, Cisco offices on 3 continents partnered with hospitals to use Cisco collaboration technology to help bring holiday cheer to sick children and their families. More than 60 hospitals in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Latin America and Australia participated this year in Cisco's 7th annual "Connected Santa" program.

Picture courtesy of Children's Hospital of Michigan, USA

Cisco employees volunteer as Christmas "elves," delivering presents and using Cisco TelePresence and Jabber technology to help Santa make bedside visits. The high-definition video system allows the children to see and hear Santa and discuss what presents they want for the holidays. Watch this short video from Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, to see how a visit with Connected Santa works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMw0GVsc3gY

 

Photo courtesy Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, AustraliaPicture courtesy Nationwide Children's Hospital, Ohio, USAPhoto courtesy Boston Children's Hospital, Massachusetts, USA

For more information see the following news stories:

North Carolina: Cisco Brings Santa to Sick Children

London: Santa Embraces Video Technology to Spread Christmas Joy

Americas: Santa Brings Spirit to Children Spending the Holiday Season in the Hospital

Some of the Cisco technologies used for Connected Santa are also improving access to quality healthcare through corporate social responsibility programs in Jordan, China, California, and elsewhere.