Salt Lake City,

The following story appeared on deseretnews.com on June 26, 2001.

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Author: By Lois M. Collins Deseret News staff writer

Hospitals have many rooms where healing takes place. But Steve Young, former All-Pro quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, believes a place filled with laughter and "normal, everyday" activities can have a profound impact for children who are ill.

That's the theory behind the "Forever Young Zone" at Primary Children's Medical Center, which opened Monday. Young was joined by former BYU star and NBA player and coach Danny Ainge to launch the center.

In this brightly colored 3,000-square-foot "haven," children who are hospitalized can enjoy a game of Foosball, watch a movie, listen to the stereo or visit with friends in a "nonmedical" atmosphere. Cupboards overflow withcard and board games. The high-tech computer center, designed with older children in mind, provides Internet access for doing homework or e-mailing pals. It even offers an audio-visual link to patients in other children's hospitals so the youngsters can compare notes and make friends. Younger children will find a variety of games, puzzles and activities designed for their younger ages, too.

The room was funded in large part by the Forever Young Foundation, which raises money for various causes, from Ronald McDonald Houses and anti-child abuse programs to literacy projects. This room is the second Forever Young Zone; one opened last year at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif.

The focus on children is a natural one, Young said. "Helpless children are really hard to watch. I just want them to be happy.

"And we are all so close to childhood, no matter how old we are," Young said, adding that with his son, Braedon, 7 months, his own childhood feels particularly vivid.

Since the birth of his son, Young said he's been particularly concerned about children who may not have the happiest childhoods because of illness. "Kids who spend a lot of time in hospitals grow up very fast. You look and you'll see some old souls. But it's important that they enjoy the pleasures of childhood as well. I am grateful and humble and pray my kids don't have to do that."

Young was quick to point out that this child-friendly "zone" is a concept borrowed from retired Dallas Cowboy quarterback Troy Aikman's foundation, which opened "Aikman's End Zone" at Children's Medical Center in Dallas several years ago. It, too, is a high-tech, interactive playroom. And he downplays his own charitable role in bringing the concept to Salt Lake City.

"I'm just the gimmick," he told reporters during various interviews Monday just before the "zone" was opened. He started raising money for charities when it occurred to him that a lot of good organizations that were providing valuable services were spending a huge portion of the year planning a fund-raiser to pay for it, rather than focusing on delivering those services. He figured he could use his name recognition and raise money, then turn it over to those doing good things. It would free them up to do what they do best.

"I'd feel kind of funny not doing something with (my name recognition)," he said. "I'd feel guilty if I didn't."

Projects like the Forever Young Zone are an extension of what he did as a quarterback, he said. "Being a great quarterback is just getting the ball to people. You share. I'm just quarterbacking in different places now. It's like raising a family. 'Let's huddle. I'll tell you the play, give you the ball and cheer you on.' "

Copyright 2001, Deseret News Publishing Co.