Charity

A bit more about The CHEO Foundation

The sole purpose of the CHEO Foundation is to raise funds to help support the work of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

Donations help the hospital provide a wide variety of pediatric programs, research, state-of the art equipment, medical and nursing education, and assistance for families in crisis.

In the early 1960s, a group of concerned citizens in Ottawa formed a committee with the purpose of establishing a children’s hospital in the community. It was no easy task to convince governments and ministries to help fund a children’s hospital in Ottawa, but the committee persevered with the enthusiastic support of the community. This committee formed the base for the present CHEO Foundation, which was incorporated in 1974. By the time CHEO opened its doors in 1974, the volunteer fundraisers had overcome numerous obstacles, and more than $4 million had been donated by the local community – a truly significant amount especially for that time. Each year, the Foundation holds the CHEO Telethon on CTV, which is part of the North-America wide Children’s Miracle Network. All funds raised locally benefit CHEO. Other events and lotteries such as CN Cycle, and the Dream of a Lifetime Lottery bring important support to CHEO.

Community organizers support CHEO through more than 200 events each year, ranging from corporate and private dances, barbecues, and sports tournaments. Significant funds are also raised through annual giving and bequests. The Foundation is managed by a Board of Directors comprised of community leaders, the President and CEO of the Foundation, the CEO of the Hospital, a Chair, and representatives of the hospital staff and volunteer association.