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| Top: Kids enjoyed several rides at Mattel Party on the Pier. Photo: Justin Catron Middle: “Barbie” greeted guests, along with Dr. Sherin Devaskar, physician-in-chief, Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA, and Bryan Stockton, chairman and CEO, Mattel, Inc. Bottom: Paris Berelc (second from left) was one of several Disney television stars who mingled with guests. Photos: Bill Short |
Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA celebrated its 14th Annual Mattel Party on the Pier on October 6, 2013, with 1,400 guests, including pediatric patients and their families, filling Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier. Highlights included unlimited amusement-park rides, on-site and online silent auctions, arts and crafts and great food. Several young celebrities from popular children’s television shows attended the event, signing autographs and volunteering in the game booths, which were stocked with prizes donated by title sponsor Mattel. The event raised more than $800,000 to support high-priority initiatives at Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA, with recent funds directed to, among others, the osteosarcoma and congenital heart programs.
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| (Front row, from left) Dion Rottman and dog, Finn; Ellen Morrow and dog, Charley; and Erin Rice, program director of UCLA PAC. (Back row, from left): Paul Engl, general manager of UCLA/Rose Bowl IMG Sports Marketing, and Dr. David T. Feinberg, president of UCLA Health System. Photo: Caroline Acosta |
One year to the day after receiving his liver transplant at UCLA, 14-year-old Nick Wallace returned to Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA on September 28, 2013, to celebrate his “liver birthday” and the first anniversary of his nonprofit, Nick’s Picks. The San Diego teen was frequently hospitalized throughout his childhood for care and treatment of biliary atresia. Wanting to give support and encouragement to other hospitalized kids, he started his charity to provide backpacks filled with Nick-approved toys. Senior UCLA Health leaders joined Nick’s liver-transplant surgeon, Ronald W. Busuttil, MD (RES ’77), PhD., and his pediatric GI specialist Robert Venick, MD (RES ’03, FEL ’06), in surprising Nick with a birthday-party blow-out complete with presents and a gluten-free birthday cake.
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| Nick Wallace (center, red hat) celebrates his “liver birthday” with his family, Dr. Ronald Busuttil (right of Nick), Dr. Robert Venick (far left), and physicians from the UCLA liver-transplant team. Photo: David Fukumoto |
The UCLA People-Animal Connection (PAC) Program was recognized on the field during UCLA’s home opening football game vs. Cal on October 14, 2013. PAC is one of the most comprehensive animal-assisted therapy and activity programs in the nation. Each month, PAC volunteer teams — a canine and a human partner — offer companionship and warmth to more than 900 critically ill children and adults.
