Teds for Beds Helps Spread Joy to Pediatric Patients

By Mitchell Sassser | WeINSPIRE Reporter  

Separated by more than 2,500 miles, two college students, one in Virginia and one in California, came together to help spread joy to pediatric patients across the United States.   

Teds for Beds is an organization with a mission to put a smile on children’s faces. Since Valentine’s Day in 2020, they have provided over 400 large, plush teddy bears to hospitals in New York, California, Virginia, Georgia, Arizona, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Hawaii.  

Photo Courtesy of Amy Yang Photography

Fourth year University of Virginia student Lara Jabbour wanted to raise money to get teddy bears for pediatric patients. She posted on her personal Facebook and a pre-med Facebook page with hopes that other students with a passion for helping patients would see it. 

Lara Jabbour noticed a similar post by Nazanin Nayeri in California, who was also fundraising to get plush toys for a hospital that she herself had battled cancer in. 

They immediately combined their efforts and met virtually over FaceTime to talk through their ideas for growing their outreach. Now, they have volunteers across the country.  

What started as a simple Facebook post has grown into a national mission and coalition of students who want to help others.  

“It’s really, really exciting,” Jabbour said. “It’s been so wonderful to see this seriously become a national mission where people are so excited to join our cause all around the country.” 

Jabbour is a neuroscience major, and has volunteered at the UVA Cancer Center and also done research in neurology in the emergency department. This is where Jabbour noted how difficult a stay in the hospital can be.  

“That’s where it started, walking past these hospital rooms and seeing patients in there all alone, and realizing that I could make a difference and make them smile through some of my efforts,” Jabbour said.  

Nayeri’s experience with hospitals is even more personal. In her senior year of high school, she discovered a lump above her left side collarbone. This required an immediate referral to an oncologist after many visits to the doctor's office, then to a surgical oncologist, and then to a radiation oncologist where she started radiation therapy. 

“I vividly remember the sleepless nights, thinking over and over religiously, overthinking the situation,” Nayeri said.  

Nayeri said, even though it sounds cliche looking back at it, a constant source of comfort for her was her teddy bear gifted by her friend. Her experience with her treatment allowed her to see areas where young adults and pediatric patients could find relief from the alienation of treatment.  

“I really valued and cherished small acts of kindness,” Nayeri said.  

Jabbour and Nayeri have not yet met each other in person. In their mission to help comfort those in treatment, the distance has never been a problem.  

“Whenever we need something done in California, she’s able to pick up bears and drive to a hospital,” Jabbour said. “I do things on this side of the coast; it works nicely.”  

Even though most of their conversations happen virtually, the two have become close because of their dedication to Teds for Beds.  

“It seems like we knew each other,” Nayeri said. “It was this instant connection of, ‘we really want to do this, and we both have really similar ideas and interests and internal motivations to do this.’” 

Both Nayeri and Jabbour said partnerships with other companies is how they hope to expand their growth and outreach. Their latest collaboration was with Crayola.  

In late April, Jabbour and a group of Teds for Beds volunteers got free tickets to the Crayola Experience Orlando where they got to play with kids and deliver some bears and Crayola gear to Advent Hospital and Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.  

Photo Courtesy of Lauren Allen Photography

“It was such an extraordinary experience, Jabbour said. “It kind of was a really cool collaboration between what we do, which is give out large teddy bears to kids, and what Crayola does, spreading color and creativity to the world.” 

It cost $15 to sponsor a bear. If you are interested in donating, their Venmo is @tedsforbeds.  

“I can’t wait to see how much of a difference we are going to make in the future, how Teds for Beds is going to grow and evolve,” Jabbour said.   

Photo Courtesy of Amy Yang photography