Cold weather, illuminations, chocolates… there is no doubt that December is here. At the Galeries Lafayette on Haussmann Boulevard in Paris, Christmas magic has been in the aisles for a few weeks now. Enough to put stars in the eyes of the children of the CéKeDuBonheur association invited to participate in the illumination of the gigantic Christmas tree set up under the dome. The end of the year also often coincides with the renowned NRJ Music Awards ceremony at the Palais de Festival in Cannes. This time, hospitalized teenagers had the opportunity to be at the heart of the event, on the red carpet, close to the invited and nominated artists. An action also carried out in collaboration with CKDB.
Illumination of the Galeries Lafayette Christmas tree
At the end of November, the hustle and bustle of the preparations for the end of the year festivities is slowly beginning to be felt. Especially in department stores such as the Galeries Lafayette on Haussmann Boulevard where the celebrations are prepared months in advance. A tremendous effort, but well rewarded by the amazement of visitors, young and old, in front of the enchanted windows and the huge Christmas tree under the sumptuous dome of the galleries.
However, some hospitalized children are not always lucky enough to be able to touch this very special Christmas magic with their fingertips. That’s why, for the second year in a row, the CéKeDuBonheur (CKDB) association called on our telepresence robots so that young patients from the Bondy hospital could also be present at the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Galeries Lafayette. At a distance, they were able to observe the incredible installation from the golden balconies. Even more memorable was to see the children having fun, laughing and dancing together. Whether they were present or telepresent, everyone clearly loved spending this joyful afternoon in a good mood. A day that ended with the meeting of the godparents of the CéKeDuBonheur association: Louane, Cindy Bruna, Jean Imbert and Malik Bentalha.
Everyone’s letters to Santa Claus were obviously the subject of lively discussions, and they were all even more impatient after these moments spent in the heart of the magical universe imagined by Galeries Lafayette.
A telepresence robot at the NRJ Music Awards
Wednesday at the Galeries, Friday with NRJ. Yes, it was a crazy week that we spent at Awabot, always at the side of CKDB (without forgetting our presence that weekend at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix). But this time it was a first: teenagers from the hospital in Cannes went to the red carpet of the NRJ Music Awards, an event they were often used to follow on TV. This year, the girls had the opportunity to go backstage at the ceremony, close to the dressing rooms of the artists who were performing on the stage of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes that night. If being connected to a BeamPro® telepresence robot was a bit confusing at first, they quickly got into the game and did not hesitate to approach the singers and influencers invited to climb the steps.
Aya Nakamura, SCH, Matt Pokora, Angèle, Clara Luciani… many are the personalities with whom they could interact. And sometimes even dance, as with Soprano who did not hesitate to make some dance steps with the robot! The teenagers also didn’t fail to ask the artists to sign an autograph for them. The girls enjoyed these moments so much that they would have liked to stay connected longer… But all good things must come to an end and it was time for them to follow the event on TV. One thing is sure: they will remember this evening for a long time.
“An innovative device that brings joy and magic to young patients”
Sonia Boa-Guehe, CéKeDuBonheur’s Director of Operations, explains how the telepresence solutions deployed by Awabot have enabled the association to extend the scope of its activities:
”Allowing young patients to break away from their daily lives is a major objective of the association. The AWABOT robot is an innovative device that brings joy and magic to young patients! From the hospital, children can exchange live with their favorite artists and/or attend a live cultural event. We are proud of this beautiful collaboration between AWABOT and CEKEDUBONHEUR whose common ambition is to make children dream for a better medical care.
Sonia Boa-Guehe
Telepresence robots bring a little bit of sweetness to the daily life of hospitalized children. Like a magical interlude outside of time, essential for these young people on the sometimes winding road to recovery.
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