Photo by Todd Cheney

Chase Child Life Program

The Chase Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to financially supporting hospital-based programs that cater to the social, emotional and developmental needs of children, has donated $2.125 million to the Child Life/Child Development program at Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA. In recognition of the gift, UCLA officially rededicated the program as the Chase Child Life program at a March 28 ribbon-cutting event held at the hospital.

The Child Life program helps address the unique needs of pediatric patients by promoting effective coping through play, preparation, education and self-expression activities. It provides emotional support for families and encourages the optimal development of children facing a broad range of challenging experiences, particularly those related to healthcare and hospitalization.

The Chase Foundation also announced addi- tional funding to create a therapeutic healing garden on the hospital’s outdoor Tisch Family Children’s Terrace to promote coping and wellness. Pediatric patients and their families will be able to participate in gardening lessons and enjoy the garden’s fragrant beauty. An artist’s rendering of the healing garden, which is still in the early planning stages, was unveiled at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“We are tremendously grateful for the generous support of The Chase Foundation,” says Child Life program director Amy Bullock. “There is no doubt that in the decades to come, their significant gift will help transform a hospital stay into a much brighter experience for countless children and their families.”