Alumni group collects teddy bears for cancer patients

DOWNEY – The UCLA Alumni Los Angeles Southeast Network (“Southeast Bruins”) held their second annual Holiday Party at Downey’s Stay Gallery last month, collecting more than 100 teddy bears and stuffed animals for hospitalized children fighting cancer. The night’s guest speaker was Alexandra Muñoz, a current UCLA student who is also a cancer survivor.

Muñoz thought up the idea of collecting new teddy bears and other stuffed animals to give to children fighting cancer during her own hospitalization.

“During my fight with cancer, I had a stuffed animal that kept me company on the very long nights at the hospital,” she said. “I found it comforting to have it next to me - so much so that I still keep it with me, especially during finals.”

Maywood Mayor Eddie De La Riva, a UCLA alumnus, was present at the event and congratulated Muñoz, stating: “You are doing amazing things, congratulations.”

The teddy bears and stuffed animals were donated to children who are receiving cancer treatment at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital.

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Published: Jan. 8, 2015 - Volume 13 - Issue 39