CHEO stories

Olympian and former CHEO patient cherishes role helping kids with diabetes

Every time Hannah Schmidt steps into her skis, the Canadian Olympian readies to compete against the world’s best in women’s ski cross with a little more weighing on her mind.

Schmidt, an Ottawa native, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 12, and received care at CHEO for six years.

Now 30, she must prepare for each competition with a brighter spotlight on her diet — and that’s become a good thing.

"It's made me a better athlete in the long run," said Schmidt.

As a teenager, though, the stigma of her...

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How Child Life specialists make the holidays bright for CHEO patients

The holiday season is a time filled with traditions, celebrations, and gatherings, but for those spending December at CHEO, the experience can feel very different. 

While celebrating the holidays in hospital may not be every child’s first choice, for many it’s a necessity. That’s where CHEO’s Child Life team steps in to make the season as special and comforting as possible.

Child Life specialists play a vital role in helping children, youth, and families cope with the stress and uncertainty of illness,...

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Cancer care closer to home for CHEO patients and families

Families of kids with cancer will get faster and more convenient access to essential bloodwork closer to home thanks to a partnership of CHEO and the Eastern Ontario Regional Laboratory Association (EORLA). 

As of Sept. 15, 2025, children and youth receiving cancer treatment can visit walk-in EORLA labs throughout eastern Ontario for bloodwork, instead of travelling to CHEO for an appointment. There will be designated spaces at the labs for oncology patients, and immunocompromised children will be prioritized.

This will...

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Kassy’s journey and the changing face of obesity care

When Kassy was a toddler, her mother Nicole Cummins noticed something different. 

“She was always hungry,” Cummins recalled. “Food was the only thing that soothed her. I used to think it was my fault.”

For years, doctors told Nicole that Kassy would “grow into her size.” But the weight gain continued, along with chronic pain, learning difficulties, and a growing sense of isolation.

It wasn’t until Kassy was 13 that she was referred to CHEO’s Centre for Healthy Active Living (CHAL), a clinic that takes a...

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How CHEO’s INR program saved a teen’s eyesight

Camryn’s migraines were getting more painful and persistent. Then there was a constant whooshing sound in her ear. 

The 16-year-old has dealt with chronic migraines in the back of her head and upper neck for years, but this time the situation became critical. 

A series of visits to local emergency rooms and clinics in Belleville and Kingston quickly escalated into a medical mystery—one that would ultimately be solved thanks to the expertise and innovation of CHEO’s Interventional Neuroradiology (INR) team and a

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