Our stories

CHEO transforms care and research of eating disorders

CHEO leads the way in tackling one of the most complex and critical areas of pediatric health care: eating disorders, with clinicians and researchers pioneering innovative approaches that are not only improving care at CHEO but also shaping health systems across Canada and beyond.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought the social and economic cost of eating disorders into the spotlight as a national study led by the CHEO Research Institute showed a significant increase of children and youth who visited the emergency...

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Changing lives together: A CHEO family’s fight against cystic fibrosis

Melanie Rochon has spent 25 years making children smile as a dental hygienist at CHEO. But behind her own bright smile is a story of struggle and relentless advocacy — one that changed the lives of hundreds of Canadian families just like hers.

Her daughter, Camille, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) at just two months old. The chronic condition affects the lungs and digestive system, leading to breathing problems, lung infections and difficulty absorbing nutrients. For Camille, it has...

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Crafted with care: Volunteers build adaptive furniture for CHEO kids

In workshops across Ottawa and the surrounding region, 13 dedicated woodworking volunteers are hard at work—crafting customized therapy equipment for children in CHEO’s Children’s Treatment Centre (CTC). They build in their own time, from garages and basements, transforming raw materials into tools that help kids gain comfort, mobility and independence.

This unique program, supported by a specialized fund in partnership with the CHEO Foundation, ensures each piece of equipment is made...

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CHEO, Ontario government break ground on new Integrated Treatment Centre

The new CHEO Integrated Treatment Centre is one step closer to reality as construction begins.

Construction of the new, fully accessible and state-of-the-art treatment centre began with a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, April 24, 2025. The centre will provide integrated and coordinated care under one roof to better serve children and youth living with complex medical, developmental, behavioural, and mental health needs. 

“Today’s groundbreaking is another step in our commitment to protecting...

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Olympian and former CHEO patient cherishes role helping kids with diabetes

Every time Hannah Schmidt steps into her skis, the Canadian Olympian readies to compete against the world’s best in women’s ski cross with a little more weighing on her mind.

Schmidt, an Ottawa native, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 12, and received care at CHEO for six years.

Now 30, she must prepare for each competition with a brighter spotlight on her diet — and that’s become a good thing.

"It's made me a better athlete in the long run," said Schmidt.

As a teenager, though, the stigma of her...

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