Latest news with #CHEO
Ottawa Citizen
3 days ago
- Health
- Ottawa Citizen
Community Builders: 57 Ride
For John Gomes, father of four and founder of the 57 Ride, the mission is simple: ride, raise hope and help families facing the unthinkable. Article content From June 12 to 14, Gomes and a small group of friends and fellow dads will cycle from Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) to the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa — more than 450 kilometres — to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer. Article content Article content Named after a sentimental reminder of Gomes's late father, the 57 Ride supports two grassroots causes: the Phoebe Rose Rock Committee at the Kindred Foundation and the Griffin Bell Golden Endowment Fund at CHEO. Proceeds will go directly to helping families who must travel long distances for treatment and to funding critical research for hard-to-treat childhood cancers. Article content 'I have four healthy kids,' Gomes said. 'Why wouldn't I go do this? We've met these oncology families; their stories break your heart. This is how we help.' Article content The route, a three-day endurance challenge, will take riders from SickKids to Peterborough, on to Perth, and finally to CHEO for a celebratory lap. It's not a race; it's a show of solidarity. Article content 'It's me and a couple of close friends, supported by another buddy driving a 'blister bus,'' Gomes jokes about the Ford F150 from Lincoln Heights Ford. 'We're all fit dads in our 40s, and we can still do hard things,' Gomes adds. He will be joined by Jeff Delgado and James Van Toever, and Konrad Eyvindson will be on driving duty. Article content Article content He calls it a 'mom-and-pop lemonade stand' kind of event: local, personal and powered by community love. 'The world feels like it's on fire,' Gomes said. 'We're just trying to do something kind. That's where change starts, with your community.' Article content Article content Article content Article content
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Meeting this year's CHEO Champion
Ottawa Watch We introduce you to this year's CHEO Champion who has firsthand experience with how CHEO is supporting kids and youth with their mental health.
Cision Canada
07-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Hyundai Canada presents CHEO with $250,000 for paediatric cancer care
The paediatric health centre in Canada's capital, CHEO is a global leader in paediatric health care and research, serving patients from eastern and northern Ontario, western Quebec, and Nunavut. CHEO's Hematology and Oncology Program provides comprehensive care for children and youth with blood and cancer disorders. Last year 110 children and youth were diagnosed with cancer, with 500 others in active care. As part of the event, Steve Read, president and CEO, CHEO Foundation accepted a $250,000 donation to support paediatric cancer care. Hyundai Canada dealers and representatives, together with CHEO oncology patient ambassadors and CHEO Foundation team at today's handprint ceremony and $250,000 cheque presentation. "We are incredibly grateful to Hyundai Hope on Wheels for this generous gift. Their support is a powerful investment in the future of paediatric cancer care," said Read. "At CHEO, we're committed to providing world-class care and advancing treatment options for children and youth facing cancer. Partnerships like this one help make that possible — and bring renewed hope to families when they need it most." CHEO Research Institute (RI) is at the forefront of paediatric cancer research, with experts advancing both clinical and lab-based studies to improve outcomes for children. As a member of the international Children's Oncology Group, CHEO RI participates in more than 30 multi-centre studies focused on innovative treatments — from safer, less invasive diagnostics to new approaches for brain cancer. In the lab, senior scientists at CHEO RI are leading groundbreaking work, including a first-of-its-kind oral immunotherapy for neuroblastoma, targeted therapies using anti-Inhibitor of Apoptosis (IAP) drugs, and personalized cancer treatments using a pre-clinical transplantation platform. The Handprint Ceremony that marked today's announcement is a signature event of Hyundai Hope on Wheels, where children and families affected by cancer — along with donors, researchers, and community supporters — are invited to leave their painted handprints on a Hyundai vehicle. Each print serves as a symbol of hope and resilience in the fight against childhood cancer and a reminder of the shared commitment to advancing research and care for young cancer patients. The event brought together members of the CHEO and Hyundai communities to honour the resilience of young patients and the importance of ongoing research. "As we continue our first year of Hyundai Hope on Wheels in Canada, it's incredibly moving to see how each Handprint Ceremony brings communities together in support of children and families affected by cancer," said Kirk Merrett, Hyundai Canada's director of human resources and administration and the Hyundai Canada executive who administers Hyundai Hope on Wheels. "Today at CHEO, we're proud to stand alongside world-class researchers, dedicated care teams, and inspiring young patients as we work toward a future without childhood cancer. This is only the beginning of our commitment — and we're honoured to help drive progress, one handprint at a time." Hyundai Hope on Wheels is a newly-formed, registered non-profit dedicated to funding research and care programs, and raising awareness to support young cancer patients and survivors. This donation to CHEO is part of more than $4 million Hyundai Hope on Wheels has committed in 2025 to support paediatric oncology centres across Canada — the beginning of an annual commitment to funding childhood cancer research. Through this initiative, Hyundai Canada is proud to help create brighter futures for children by supporting the communities where its customers and employees live and work. 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 paediatric 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. Hyundai Hope on Wheels will be a registered non-profit organization that is committed to finding a cure for childhood cancer. Formed in Canada in 2025, Hyundai Hope on Wheels provides support to both research, through grants, and care and survivorship, through impact donations. First launched in the U.S. in 1998, it is now one of the largest non-profit funders of paediatric cancer research in that country. Primary funding for Hyundai Hope on Wheels in Canada comes from Hyundai Auto Canada and its more than 226 Canadian dealers nationwide.
Ottawa Citizen
06-05-2025
- Health
- Ottawa Citizen
Heart failure isn't the 'death sentence' diagnosis it once was
Twenty years after she was diagnosed with heart failure, Aubyn Baker says she would love to see the name of the serious chronic condition changed. Article content Article content 'It is a scary name,' she acknowledges. Her initial thought after being diagnosed was that she was going to die. 'But that is not the case. I want people to know that, yes, it is serious, but you can live, work, strive and thrive with it. It is not a death sentence.' Article content Article content Baker, 61, was born with congenital heart issues that required surgery when she was a child. The Brockville woman was followed by specialists at CHEO until she was 18 and then got on with her life without giving much thought to her heart health. Article content She is now one of more than 800,000 Canadians living with the cardiovascular disease that is on the rise across the country. Some 120,000 Canadians are expected to be diagnosed this year alone, according to the Canadian Heart Failure Society, which is trying to raise awareness about the disease. Article content Article content Dr. Justin Ezekowitz, who is president of the Canadian Heart Failure Society, said there has been huge progress in recent decades preventing, diagnosing and managing heart disease. Article content Before the 1950s and '60s, he said, a diagnosis was terminal. 'It used to be like Stage 4 cancer. It was a terminal condition with no options.' Article content Article content But that has changed and innovations in treatment and management of the disease continue to improve, he said. Not all, but many patients now continue to live active lives while they are treated and monitored. Article content Article content 'We have patients who live very active, almost normal, lives.' Other patients have limitations that might affect whether or how they work or travel. And others are severely affected, he said. Article content A diagnosis of heart failure is still considered to shorten life expectancy, said Ezekowitz, but with new therapies that gap is growing smaller allowing for a greater extention of life. 'I think we can extend peoples' high quality life quite substantially.' Article content But early diagnosis and treatment are important for the best outcomes, he said. Because of that, it is crucial that people understand the disease, seek help and get a diagnosis as early as possible for the best results. Article content The Heart Failure Society would like to see routine screening for heart failure — something that can be done with a blood test. It is also encouraging Canadians to understand the warning symptoms — such as deep fatigue and shortness of breath — that something might be wrong. That becomes more urgent as cases rise, said Ezekowitz.
Cision Canada
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Cision Canada
MEDIA ADVISORY: CHEO to receive six-figure donation at handprint ceremony tomorrow
OTTAWA, ON, May 6, 2025 /CNW/ - Tomorrow, Hyundai Hope on Wheels will announce a six figure donation to CHEO and hold its third Handprint Ceremony in Ottawa in support of paediatric cancer care. CHEO's Hematology and Oncology Program provides comprehensive care for children and youth with blood and cancer disorders. Last year 110 children and youth were diagnosed with cancer at CHEO, with 500 others in active care. Members of the media are invited to attend a press conference where Hyundai Canada leadership, CHEO Foundation representatives and patient ambassadors will share more details on the initiative and its impact. WHEN: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 TIME: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. – detailed schedule breakdown below WHERE: CHEO School, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON. K1H 8L1 WHY ATTEND? Live cheque presentation of a six-figure donation to CHEO Access to Hyundai Canada executives, CHEO leadership and patient ambassadors Powerful visuals and stories of hope, impact and community commitment Hyundai Canada leadership Kirk Merrett, director of human resources and administration Harry Mews, CEO, Myers Barrhaven Hyundai CHEO Foundation and hospital leadership Steve Read, president and CEO, CHEO Foundation Dr. Tommy Alain, senior scientist, CHEO Research Institute PHOTO/ VIDEO OPPORTUNITIES: Donation ceremony with cheque presentation with representatives from Hyundai Canada, CHEO Hospital and CHEO Foundation Hyundai Hope on Wheels Canada Handprint Ceremony featuring patient ambassadors and families SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN: 10 AM – 10:30 AM | Media Arrivals and Check-In 10:30 AM - 10:47 AM | Press Conference 10:50 AM - 11 AM | Handprint Ceremony 11 AM - 11:15 AM | Media Interviews 11:30 AM | Event Wrap-Up MEDIA CONTACTS: Brad Ross, Hyundai Canada; (416) 524-9904 / [email protected] Mohga Hassib, Hyundai Canada; (416) 434-9833 / [email protected]
