One of only a handful of pediatric hospice care facilities across Canada is marking its 20th anniversary. On Tuesday, the Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice marked the milestone with families, staff, volunteers and visitors who gathered to share stories. “20 years ago, we opened our doors and we are so thrilled to welcome our community, our original builders, our founders, the people that really had the vision to build this house,” said Megan Wright, the CEO for Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. “It is really the place where families can come and have dignified care for their children at a time when they need it most.” The organization provides specialized care from diagnosis to end-of-life and grief support. Opened in 2006, named after Roger Neilson, a former coach of the Ottawa Senators who was deeply involved in charitable work, especially efforts that benefited children facing challenges or illnesses. According to the organization, after Neilson died in 2003, the Ottawa Senators and CHEO teamed up to his life and legacy, leading the community campaign to establish what is now known as Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. Parents Andrea Gumpert and David Bell tell CTV News Ottawa they first learned about Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice after tragedy struck their family. “We wouldn’t have been able to manage without the support and services,” said Bell. In 2011, their 16-month-old son died in an accident at his daycare. “We came from complete unawareness of what this place was and we did our bereavement sessions, and literally saved us, saved our couple, saved us as parents to our children through those sessions,” Gumpert said. Gumpert says she was pregnant with their son Emanuel at the time, who was born with a rare genetic condition and continues to receive care at the hospice, now at the age of 14. “RNCH has taken care of our family for 15 years,” Gumpert said. Bell added, “I think of the care that this place provides and the dignity that it treats our son Emanuel with.”
