Jules And Doris Stein Ucla Support Group

Vision in-school - 24 volunteers presented to 913 students (4th - 6th grade). The program included bovine cow eyes, purchased out of state and shipped overnight. Instead of passing out pencils, the program provided students with a trolli candy eye to take home, which has a similar texture to a bovine eye, opportunity to dissect the candy eye with their parent(s) and ensuring a realistic experience: a classroom project to build a paper eye model after the presentation. This innovative approach enhances the student's learning experience and fosters their creativity.

Dr. Teddy program the support group underwrites the make surgery bearable program which sponsors dr. Teddy bears which are distributed to each pediatric patient undergoing eye surgery. In addition, the illustrated "making eye surgery bearable" children's book which was translated into spanish is delivered to each pediatric patient in either english or spanish depending on which is appropriate for the pediatric patient and their parents. The book and dr. Teddy help alleviate fears and concerns for pediatric patients and their parents by illustrating the surgical process prior to surgery. In 2024 approximately 260 bears and books were distributed.