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Local Brothers Donate iPads To Ronald McDonald House

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- It was a bright moment at Ronald McDonald House, home away from home for families of patients at Children's Hospital.

Teenage brothers James and Christian Delligatti officially opened an iPad lending library.

"It just helps them to be distracted from what's going on around them," says James Delligatti.

"Every kid loves them really," adds his brother, Christian.

Christian says "Lilli's Happy Pads" began with a 12-year-old cousin in Texas. "My cousin Lilli had cancer, and we gave her and her brother Pads."

"And it really helped them get through the tough times that they had," says James. "Helped her, specifically, through treatments and through boredom."

It gave them the idea to help other kids and their families. They started a fundraising effort that has netted $13,000, including a $5,000 foundation grant.

Their goal is 60 iPads, one for each room at Ronald McDonald House. They hope the movement spreads to more than 300 Ronald McDonald Houses worldwide.

Cousin Lilli checked in on the Delligattis' iPad. She's been in remission for more than a year.

"Did the iPad help you pass the time? Make you happy?" Christian asks.

"When I was focusing on the iPad, I wasn't focusing on anything else," Lilli answers. "Needles and stuff. It made me happy."

And that's what it's all about.

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