Our stories

The most ‘Spooktacular’ day of the year

When you walk through CHEO, you know you are in a special place. From the sounds around you, the decor that caters to kids, the tiny equipment, the children moving about and the smiles and personalities of the staff, medical staff and volunteers – you know kids and youth are staying here. And while CHEO is a great place to be, no child ever wants to be hospitalized. There are times during the year when being admitted to the hospital means you may miss out on really important activities....

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A Mother's Letter to Staff

Who comes to mind when you think of love? You might think of your parents, your partner, your children, your grandparents, or your pets. For Dawn Pickering, she recently discovered a different kind of love – one for the medical team that saves your child’s life.

(Photo: Ollie, CHEO's therapeutic clowns and his dad, Mario).

In the summer of 2019, Ollie’s family discovered a bump on his neck. That November, after four months of not being able to find out the cause behind the bump, the ENT Clinic at...

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Pleo - Created by parents, for parents

For over 20 years, Pleo has been there to support families whose children, to age 25, are facing mental health challenges. Pleo was originally founded in a hospital waiting room, when three mothers bonded over the shared experience of seeking help for their children, who were each experiencing mental distress. Wanting more resources, skills and shared experience to properly care for their children at home and between appointments, regular meetings soon commenced at a local coffee shop. Word...

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National Truth and Reconciliation Day

September 30 is National Truth and Reconciliation Day. It brings focus to the truth of Canada’s history and responsibility in creating residential school policies, the horrific harms they caused First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, their families, and communities and the on-going impacts — such as inter-generational trauma — on Survivors. We honour them and CHEO aims to do better on our journey of reconciliation.  

While one day, or one week is not enough to truly comprehend the severity of...

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Nursing – more than a profession

Once upon a time in a small, vibrant town nestled between rolling hills and a crystal-clear river, there lived a young woman named Sarah. Sarah had always possessed a natural compassion for others and a heart filled with boundless empathy. She was known throughout her community as someone who could brighten even the cloudiest of days with her infectious smile and caring demeanor. 

As a child, Sarah had spent countless hours playing with her younger cousins and babysitting for neighbours. Her...

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