Promoting healing through play, the arts and even gardening
Officials recently renamed
Mattel Children's Hospital's Child Life/Child Development program to honor a $2.125 million donation from the Chase Foundation. In addition to supporting programs that promote healing for pediatric patients through play, self-expression and other activities as well as provide emotional support for their families, the Chase Foundation will provide more funds to create a therapeutic healing garden on the hospital's outdoor terrace where children will receive hands-on gardening lessons. Susan and Robin Richards created the foundation in memory of their son, Chase, who died of cancer shortly after his second birthday. In his last few weeks, he and his sisters were able to play, draw and socialize with other children, thanks to child life specialists. Participating in the ribbon-cutting were (from the left) Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel, Robin Richards, Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz, Susan Richards and Jesus, a 9-year-old Mattel patient.
