Stefano’s Stories: Community creates success

July 2024

It has been another amazing year, thanks to the community of support for the kids who rely on our children’s hospital, and who benefit from leading-edge work done at our research institute.

We know the medical teams at HSC Children’s Hospital, and investigators at Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM) are world-class in their fields and we are so grateful they’re always there for kids and families.

In 2023-2024, thanks to our incredible community, we’re so proud and excited to say we are on track to achieving the historic Better Futures campaign goal of $75 million.

Thanks to the vision of Better Futures co-chairs, Nancy and Kirsten, leading donors like Barb and Gerry Price, the campaign cabinet, the Foundation Board and each and every supporter – for committing to give better futures for kids and families.

This campaign is a transformative initiative and has been making an impact in child health care and research in our province and beyond since 2019. This past year alone, there are so many successes to celebrate.

Thanks to donor support of Better Futures, CHRIM launched a new research theme called PRIME, to collaborate and improve care for kids living with cancer. Mental health initiatives for kids living with type 2 diabetes got a meaningful boost through a $500,000 grant from TD Bank Group to the diabetes research theme, DREAM.

The Kali Dyck Foundation honoured the beautiful life of Kali Dyck by supporting the Autism Database and Outcomes Registry, ADORE for short, which will better understand the diversity of kids living with autism in Manitoba.

Construction began on an indoor mental health play space, so kids facing mental health challenges have somewhere to play and exercise while receiving critical care.

The neonatal intensive care unit, and many others, were able to purchase life-saving equipment, like Babyleo incubators that provide a sterile and comforting environment for tiny babies to heal so they can go home with their families.

First Nations, Métis and Inuit leaders continued collaborating and planning the Indigenous Community Healing Space that will provide a culturally safe place for Indigenous families who are away from their home supports.

One of our many Children’s Miracle Network Partners, Walmart, celebrated a massive milestone of $5 million raised since they began the Manitoba program in 1994.

Over 400 Children’s Hospital Book Market volunteers worked all year long to collect, sort, price and pack books for three sales which together made over half a million dollars. Let that sink in for a moment, half a million dollars, from gently used books thanks to the commitment of this group.

Pacey, your 2023 Champion Child, attended over 40 events to raise awareness, while also spending many days and nights in hospital because he needed care himself. He raised an amazing $34,000 to split between emergency research and surgical equipment. 

The dedicated volunteers of Children’s Hospital Guild of Manitoba continued their great work hosting events and running the Nearly New Shop. And thanks to careful planning and a very engaged committee, everything has been set in motion to bring back Teddy Bears’ Picnic on September 8 at Assiniboine Park.  

These, and many more, successes are possible thanks to the unwavering support of this community.  We are so deeply grateful for every single supporter. Your present is changing their future.  

To read the full gratitude report visit goodbear.ca/gratitudereport.