The 2011 holiday card collection, created by pediatric patients at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, is on sale now.
The hospital's holiday card art program strives to create opportunities for "kids to be kids" while hospitalized. Artists engage children at bedside to facilitate creative expression during lengthy hospitalizations. This creative collection features cards of the season created by young patients who share their interpretation of holiday celebrations.
The collection of eleven cards also includes selections from celebrated wildlife photographer Howard Ruby, and Mattel, Inc. featuring a beautiful Holiday Barbie® Doll.
The cards cost $20 for a set of 12. They are 5x7 inches and include white envelopes. A personalized message can be included. Shipping cost $5 per box or $12.50 for orders of three boxes.
For more information and to see a video with actress Dakota Fanning talking about the holiday cards, please visit www.uclahealth.org/holidaycards.
Proceeds from the holiday cards will directly benefit the internationally renowned Chase Child Life program at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital.
The Chase Child Life program at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital is staffed by child life specialists who are part of an interdisciplinary, family-centered model of care. They focus on the social, emotional and developmental needs of hospitalized children by communicating accurate and age-specific information, identifying potential stressors, and planning and practicing coping strategies. Each professional staff member holds a bachelor's or master's degree in child life, child development, education and/or psychology and is professionally certified and affiliated with the Child Life Council. UCLA's program offers a variety of specialized services, including therapeutic intervention (including music, dance and art therapy and medical play); pre-hospitalization visits for children and their families; developmental preparation and support before, during and after medical procedures; supervision of the children's playroom, state-of-the-art teen lounge and family resource room; organization of special events that entertain and engage children and families; and much more. Established in 1968, UCLA's program was one of the first of its kind in the country and continues to be a model for other medical centers.
