Children are extraordinary! Their boundless capacity for love, their gifts of joy and laughter, their heartfelt compassion, and simple honesty can touch us in ways that are profound and life-changing. So, when children are threatened by serious illness or injury, they deserve a level of care and treatment as extraordinary as they are. Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA is dedicated to providing that care.

Our team of world-class physicians and highly skilled nurses offers innovative treatment in a warm, supportive environment that embraces not only the patient but the entire family. Dedicated faculty members and tireless researchers work hand-in-hand with deeply committed residents, staff, and students in constant pursuit of groundbreaking discoveries that could improve or even save the life of a child. Specialists in our Child Life program interact with hospitalized patients and their families to ensure that the social, emotional, and developmental needs of the child are being met as well as his or her medical requirements. Together, we do everything possible to transform a potentially intimidating setting into one where children feel safe and respected for who they are, and are never regarded as simply “a case.”

Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA, a vital part of UCLA Medical Center — “Best in the West” year after year in U.S. News & World Report ’s annual survey of the nation’s hospitals — is ranked the best children’s hospital in Southern California. In 2008, Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA will move to its new home in the I.M. Pei-designed Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. We are delighted that the state-of-the-art care we provide will now have a state-of-the-art home.

As a state-assisted institution, Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA has increasingly limited funding and must look to private funds and community support. In 2000, Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA created its first-ever community event — Mattel Party on the Pier! — to meet such challenges, raising nearly $200,000 in that inaugural year! Thanks to Mattel, Inc. for its generous Title Sponsorship; to the exceptional sponsorships of individuals, corporations, and private businesses; and to our ticket buyers, event proceeds increased to nearly $500,000 in 2006! You, too, can help us promote children’s health by becoming a Sponsor of this year’s Mattel Party on the Pier!, scheduled for Sunday, September 23, 2007. Not only will you receive event tickets, but your contribution also will enable special patients and their families to attend. Your support will make a difference as we work to improve the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with serious diseases, disorders, and injuries.

Here at Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA, our goal is to give children what they give to us — something extraordinary, every day .

— Edward R.B. McCabe, M.D., Ph.D.
Physician-in-Chief, Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA
Mattel Executive Endowed Chair, Department of Pediatrics