Mattel presents $2.5 million to hospital

Friday, November 13, 1998

Mattel presents $2.5 million to hospital

Toy company contribution in honor of aiding children in need

By Katie Sierra

Daily Bruin Contributor

Life-size replicas of some of Mattel’s most famous characters,
such as Barbie and the Cabbage Patch Kids, created a child’s
fantasy land at the UCLA Children’s Hospital on Thursday.

That was the day that UCLA received a $25 million donation from
Mattel toy company. This donation is the largest ever given to a
children’s hospital from a corporate company.

This money will be used to construct the new children’s
hospital/medical center, slated for completion in 2004.

In addition, the hospital has been renamed the Mattel Children’s
Hospital at UCLA.

Jill Barad, CEO and Mattel board chair, has been credited as
responsible for the donation. She said Mattel wants to give back to
the children who are responsible for Mattel’s success.

"We felt that there was no better way of showing that we wanted
to give back to the children then to ensure their futures forever
… in what will be a state of the art research facility for their
health," Barad said.

Barad and Gerald Levey, provost of medical sciences at UCLA,
have been working together for about a year trying to cement this
deal.

Levey said he appreciated Mattel’s support and credited them
with a renewed spirit.

"You have really electrified those of us who work at UCLA, and
we are so very grateful for what you have done," Levey said.

Plans for the new hospital include a lobby featuring Mattel toys
and interactive games.

"We all know how intimidating it is to be in a hospital,
particularly for children," said Ned Mansour, president of
corporate operations for Mattel.

"We endeavor to provide an absolutely loving and nurturing
environment for everybody."

Mattel’s donation will cover nearly 75 percent of the costs to
reconstruct the new children’s hospital. This project is only part
of the plan to rebuild the UCLA Hospital and Medical Center. The
entire cost for the new facility will reach an estimated $1.3
billion.

Dr. Edward McCabe, Physician in Chief of the Mattel’s Children
Hospital at UCLA, said he was excited about UCLA’s new relationship
with Mattel.

"It is Mattel’s giving back that will make a dramatic and
everlasting change in the lives of our children, our family and our
community," McCabe said.

Renowned architect I.M. Pei will design the new 102-bed
Children’s Hospital as well as the rest of the hospital and medical
center.

The children’s part will begin construction in 2000 and will
replace the current facility, which was damaged during the 1994
Northridge earthquake.

The Mattel Foundation, founded in 1978, contributes more than
$4.5 million annually to organizations benefiting children.

"Mattel has a history of investing in causes around the world
that improve the quality of life for children in need," McCabe
said.

Patients from the hospital showed their appreciation to Mattel
by presenting the company with a handmade card and lab coats with
the Mattel logo on it.

Before the Mattel corporation presented UCLA with a $25 million
check, however, Levey made a promise.

"We at UCLA promise that the medical care, the research, the
innovation and the education that goes on at this institution will
make you proud of our association," Levey said.DANIELA DECCA

Barbie, one of Mattel, Inc.’s toy representatives, autographs a
program for a Children’s Hospital patient.

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