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Back to SearchOttawa — CHEO is establishing the Kim McLeod Accessibility Fund, an annual fund of $150,000 that honours the tireless advocate for families of children and youth with complex medical needs. The funds will be used to improve accessibility across CHEO, a pediatric health and research centre in Ottawa.
Along with her family and many friends, we mourned the loss of Kim in September 2021.
“Kim McLeod was a truly remarkable person with many gifts,” said Alex Munter, CHEO President and CEO. “As a changemaker, her greatest gift was her persistence and insistence to make the world better for others.”
As a tireless advocate for children and youth with complex medical needs, Kim McLeod has been responsible for many improvements for kids and families in our community and at CHEO. As a co-founder of the parent group One More Thing, Kim connected parents and focused on removing barriers for kids and families.
Prior to her passing, Kim had facilitated discussions with families and CHEO’s senior leadership to provide input on prioritizing accessibility improvements. The focus of the Kim McLeod Accessibility Fund will be improvements prioritized in partnership with families and will focus on supporting all families on their journey.
“We are thrilled to have Kim’s name associated with this meaningful fund,” said Kelli Tonner, friend and co-founder of One More Thing. “Kim has left enough of her in each of us to carry on her legacy and we will continue to advocate for every child to have what they need to thrive.”
The annual Kim McLeod Accessibility Fund is in in addition to new construction projects at CHEO, which have established funding for accessibility, such as the 1Door4Care Integrated Treatment Centre.
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Media contact
media@cheo.on.ca
About CHEO
Based in Canada’s capital, CHEO is a globally renowned health institution with a mission to provide exceptional care and support to children, youth and their families. Opening our doors in 1974, we offer a full range of specialized pediatric care and services to children from eastern and northern Ontario, western Quebec and Nunavut. Our site is home to a hospital, a children’s treatment centre, a school, a research institute, and is affiliated with the University of Ottawa as an academic health science centre. Named Canada’s best health-care employer by Forbes in 2024 and 2025, we are home to more than 6,500 staff, clinicians, scientists and researchers, as well as volunteers – all of whom work together to help children and youth achieve their best lives.