CHEO kids leave lasting mark as Integrated Treatment Centre reaches key milestone

Children and families were joined by Vera Etches, CHEO president and CEO, as well as other leaders from CHEO and construction partner, EllisDon, as they added handprints and signatures to the white metal beam.  

The treatment centre, set to open in 2028, is a key part of CHEO’s redevelopment plan aimed at expanding the campus and capacity to provide integrated health-care programs and services to children and youth. 

“We’re so excited to see the progress of the Integrated Treatment Centre, which is a core piece of our work to deliver more integrated, patient- and family-centred care,” said Etches. 

Ten young children placed their brightly painted hands on the beam, leaving a mark that will last for as long as the building stands. The group included students from CHEO School and those who receive care from the neurodevelopmental health team, two groups that will eventually move into the new building once it opens. 

“I feel like you can’t come to these kinds of events and not feel an immense amount of joy because these kids are so beautiful,” said Emily Johnston, whose son Grayson joined Etches on stage and left the first handprint.  

Grayson, a five-and-a-half-year-old boy with autism, ADHD, and a very rare lung disorder, Pulmonary Interstitial Glycogenosis, was overjoyed to be a part of the celebration. 

The event was a colourful reminder that the treatment centre will feature integrated care individualized for each child, youth and family who will fill it every day. 

“That’s what CHEO’s here for, the kids,” said Grayson’s grandfather, Steve Johnston. 

Construction of the Integrated Treatment Centre, which will be about 200,000 square feet, is a multi-year project funded by the Ontario government and CHEO, with support from generous donors through the CHEO Foundation. It is built by EllisDon Infrastructure OCH Inc with completion expected in 2028.