How and why was Starlight founded?
Starlight Children’s Foundation was formed in 2004 through the merger of The Starlight Children’s Foundation (founded in 1983) and the Starbright Foundation (founded in 1991). Starlight and Starbright were each co-founded by Peter Samuelson (Starlight with actress Emma Samms and Starbright with Steven Spielberg) to empower and improve the quality of life for seriously ill children. Starlight fulfilled its mission through high-touch events and hospital-based distractive entertainment and Starbright through high-tech entertainment, education and communication tools. Since the two organizations shared a founder, core goals and served the same population, they decided in 2004 to join forces as a unified organization. Throughout our history, we have developed programs that offer children ways to cope with the social, emotional and medical aspects of serious illness as well as provide families with a community of support and understanding. Through both national programs and services delivere
