Children’s Health Foundation (CHF) is urging the community to give generously this holiday season as it works to support more than 70,000 children and families across Western Ontario each year. The foundation funds life-changing pediatric research, medical equipment, care programs, and clinician education for Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre, Thames Valley Children’s Centre, and Children’s Health Research Institute.
This year’s campaign highlights Felix Ward. Shortly after his 12th birthday, Felix wasn’t feeling quite himself. He had just gotten over an illness, but the symptoms lingered. Six days later, the family went to the hospital. Felix’s father, Brian Ward, says that’s when they learned something was seriously wrong.
Felix and his family spent 177 days in hospital after being diagnosed with this rare and aggressive cancer. Felix began treatment within hours of arriving at Children’s Hospital and underwent seven rounds of chemotherapy.
A stay of that length in a hospital is difficult for anyone, let alone a 12 year old boy. Felix explains how he managed.
His parents, Brian and Priscilla, say the experience was overwhelming, but their faith and the hospital’s support programs—many funded entirely by donations—made a major difference. One of those programs was Ollie, the therapeutic clown.
The Wards said Ollie “became like family,” noting that small moments of happiness helped Felix cope with long days spent in his room. Felix added that Ollie “gave me joy,” especially on the hardest days.
The Ward family says donations to CHF directly support children’s chances to heal, grow, and simply be kids during the toughest moments of their lives. Priscilla puts it simply and brings the message into focus.
Donations made before December 31, 2025, will be matched by the Charabin Family up to $50,000, doubling the impact. This year, rising costs and the need for new, state-of-the-art equipment make community support more important than ever. Your donation makes hope possible.
