Sunday’s RBC Race for the Kids raises over $1M for CHEO redevelopment project

Thousands of runners flocked to Wesley Clover Parks for the annual RBC Race for the Kids, which raised over $1 million this year. CTV’s Josh Marano has more.

Sunday’s RBC Race for the Kids event helped raise more than $1 million to support the redevelopment project at CHEO.

The $1,007,905 raised this year brings the nine-year fundraising total to more than $5 million, the CHEO Foundation said in a news release.

“With partners like RBC, we can really make a difference to improve health services for children and youth living with complex, developmental, behavioural and mental health needs,” said CHEO Foundation president and CEO Steve Read, in the release. “It is so heartwarming to see so many people come together to walk and run at Wesley Clover Parks to support CHEO. We extend our heartfelt thanks to RBC, our sponsors, and the participants of today’s event.”

The event at Wesley Clover Parks included a 2K family fun run, a 5K run and a 10K run. There were also inflatables, a rock climbing wall, a mechanical bull, games, live music, and food in the Family Fun Zone. The event was emceed by CTV News Ottawa’s Patricia Boal.

“CHEO’s work is invaluable. Their new integrated treatment centre positions them to continue giving tremendous care to kids in Ottawa-Gatineau,” said Devinder Gill, RBC Regional President for Ontario North & East. “RBC supports children’s health causes around the world. It’s at the heart of our purpose – helping clients thrive and communities prosper.”

The children’s hospital is undertaking a massive $818-million, multi-year redevelopment plan that includes expanding the emergency department, overhauling operating rooms and creating more mental health spaces.

“Events like RBC Race for the Kids are vital to support CHEO’s largest capital campaign ever. The world has changed and so have the health issues of kids,” the CHEO Foundation says.

“People say kids these days have so much more than past generations. Smartphones, video games and busy schedules. But more isn’t always better. Kids these days also have more health issues than ever before. More mental health issues, like struggles with depression and anxiety. More time spent waiting in the emergency department. More complex care needs, with many waiting too long for appointments.”

Other projects at CHEO as part of its redevelopment include:

• Adding more beds and outpatient areas, including a new critical care Step Down Unit for patients who are improving but not yet ready for the medical or surgical wards
• Enhancing diagnostic capabilities, expanding newborn screening and allowing for more breakthrough research by building cutting-edge laboratories
• Overhauling operating rooms to “enable the latest surgical techniques”
• Modernizing research space to improve pediatric care outcomes

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Josh Pringle

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