Our Impact
MAKING CHILDREN SMILE.
HELPING FAMILIES COPE.
OUR MISSION:
Starlight Children’s Foundation® Canada’s mission is to support the happiness and mental health of Canadian families with seriously ill children through a unique blend of hospital-to-home programs.
IN-HOSPITAL PROGRAMS | OUT-OF-HOSPITAL PROGRAMS
OUR VISION:
To brighten the lives of families with sick children – from hospital to home.
Kids facing serious illness or hospitalization are often scared, anxious, sad, and alone. In Canada, youth living with chronic or critical health conditions are more likely to develop mental health issues (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association). That’s why Starlight Canada exists.
Starlight Canada’s programs provide joy and emotional relief to Canadian families with critically or chronically ill children aged 0-18 – from hospital to home. Through needs-based programs, Starlight Canada has been spreading spread smiles, laughter, and relief to seriously ill kids and teens across Canada for over 30 years. Our large variety of in-hospital and outpatient services create positive experiences through reliable, distraction-based programs that provide newfound smiles and irreplaceable memories for the whole family.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada is fully committed to being transparent and accountable to our past, present, and future donors, Board of Directors, and the families and children that we serve. We are consistently collecting feedback from corporate or hospital partners, volunteers, and Starlight families through ongoing surveys, meetings, and focus group discussions. For a comprehensive look at our financial overview, please refer to our audited financials or our Canada Revenue Agency page.
The decrease in the percentage of program spending is primarily attributed to our gradual return to in-person events and fundraisers following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Despite this shift, the actual dollar amount allocated to programming has notably increased by 25% since 2021. This increase underscores our commitment to the quality of our services, ensuring that we can continue to meet the needs of the communities we serve effectively.
Staff & Volunteers: 9,000 Hours of Volunteering a Year
The heart of any non-profit is its volunteers. Starlight Canada strives to engage with and recruit volunteers across Canada to assist with our many fundraising and programming initiatives.
Starlight Canada has an average of 300 active volunteers each year. Active volunteers are defined as an individual who volunteered at at least one event per year for a minimum of 10 hours. Based on the interest/capacity of each volunteer, hours vary per individual; some give 20 hours a month, and others 20 a year.
From this data, we’ve calculated an average of approximately 30 hours per volunteer, totaling 9,000 volunteer hours annually. This commitment is equivalent to the workload of approximately five full-time staff members. Thanks to the help of committed community members, we are able to reduce staff spending costs, reach more families with seriously ill children, and provide rewarding, memorable experiences to volunteers.
Meet our staff! We are proud to be Great Place To Work® CertifiedTM! Starlight Canada is committed to providing a positive and inclusive workplace for all.
Fund Contribution Sources (2023)
Allocation of Expenses (2023)
Programming: $8,406,438.00 (82%)
Fundraising: $1,569,014.00 (15.3%)
Administration: $280,104.00 (2.7%)
Please refer to our audited financials or our Canada Revenue Agency page for more information.
ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES: AMOUNT SPENT ON PROGRAMMING ($8,406,438):
This value is calculated by totaling the amount of expenses that directly contributed to hospital-to-home programs. Breakdown: Expense total: $10,255,556; minus the expenses not related to programming (fundraising or administration costs): $1,849,118; equals the total spent on programming: $8,406,438.
IN-HOSPITAL PROGRAMS
In Canada, around 500,000 children are hospitalized each year (Source: Canadian Institution for Health Information). 83% of our hospital partners have reported that they lack the resources to meet the mental health need of their pediatric patients. This is where Starlight Canada steps in.
With a variety of in-hospital programs, Starlight Canada offers distraction, relief, and fun for sick kids or teens who may be nervously awaiting treatment, recovering from surgery, or feeling lonely in their rooms. From activity kits to interactive gaming stations, we provide immediate mental and emotional comfort to support every child through their stay. Making the hospital experience more joyful for children can have lasting effects on their emotional well-being, recovery, and overall quality of life. By alleviating the fear and anxiety often associated with medical settings, our programs improve cooperation with medical staff and treatment plans. This support can lead to better recovery times, as studies indicate the positive impact of emotions on physical health. Creating a more joyful hospital environment can also benefit families, reducing their stress and helping them cope better with their child’s illness. For a full list and overview of the 135 hospitals we partner with, click here.
Over 30,000 requests were made for our programs in 2023 by our Canadian health care partners. Surveys are held annually with our national paediatric hospital partners to identify individual program needs/requests. To view the direct requests as indicated from each hospital, please visit our Hospital Wish List platform.
STARLIGHT HANDHELDS: PROGRAM ANALYSIS
Putting therapeutic gaming in the palm of a hospitalized child’s hand! The Starlight Handheld is a portable gaming device that encourages play, reduces stress, and empowers kids. Whether a child or teen is recovering in post-op, anxiously awaiting treatment, or is bored in their hospital bed, the Starlight Handheld helps transform the hospital experience. Designed for easy mobility, healthcare professionals now have the tool and flexibility to add joy and comfort to their care plan. To view the program needs as indicated by our hospital partners, refer to our Hospital Wish List platform.
SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES: Due to the positive effects of gaming distractions, 95% of medical professionals reported improvements in behavior among pediatric patients, such as reduced restlessness and anxiety. Additionally, Starlight Gaming Systems ease interactions with hospital staff by 95%, enabling staff to provide better care for their patients.
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES: Research has found that mood, comfort, and distraction are key factors in managing anxiety and alleviating pain (Source: National Library of Medicine), making the Starlight Handheld a versatile tool for long-term benefits. By turning the hospital experience into a more positive one, children are less likely to associate trauma or fear with hospitals, reducing the likelihood of future psychological issues.
Additionally, the ability to cope effectively with medical stressors can result in smoother interactions with healthcare providers, potentially leading to more effective treatments and quicker recoveries.
PROGRAM UPDATES: Introduced in 2022, the Starlight Handheld is our latest addition to in-hospital programming and was created with inclusivity in mind. This gaming device is particularly beneficial for patients with limited mobility and/or vision impairments. Its design allows for easy handling and use, even for those who may have difficulty with fine motor skills. This inclusivity ensures that all children, regardless of their physical limitations, can enjoy a distraction from the stress and anxiety of their hospital stay, contributing to their overall emotional well-being.
GOALS: Our goal is to distribute 113 Starlight Gaming Systems, which include both Fun Centers and Starlight Handhelds (described below), in 2024 – representing a 5% increase. By 2027, we plan to distribute 129 systems annually, reflecting a 19% growth.
FUN CENTER: PROGRAM ANALYSIS
The Starlight Fun Center® is a mobile entertainment unit supporting the mental health of hospitalized children. Featuring a flat-screen television and a Nintendo Switch gaming system preloaded with a wide variety of games for every kid, these units make gaming and connecting with friends and family online easy for pediatric patients. Many children may be limited to their hospital bed, but the Starlight Fun Center can roll anywhere to provide mental relief and bedside entertainment to help kids take their mind off the sick and focus on the fun! To view the program needs as indicated by our hospital partners, refer to our Hospital Wish List platform.
On average, a single Fun Center has a lasting impact as it reaches more than 2,190 patients per year. The average lifespan of a unit is 8 years in-hospital, benefitting around 17,500 hospitalized children in total.
SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES: The Starlight Fun Center provides immediate emotional and mental relief through positive and enjoyable distractions for hospitalized children facing overwhelming feelings of fear and stress. 98% of our hospital partners report that having a Starlight Gaming System benefits the mental health of their patients.
The average Starlight Gaming System is used for over 2 hours per session, providing the added benefit of allowing doctors to prescribe Fun Center playtime to promote physical therapy in a positive and engaging way.
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES: When children receive emotional and psychological support during their hospital stay, they are better equipped to cope with the stress and anxiety associated with their illness and treatment. In the long run, these positive gaming experiences can lead to improved mental health, a reduced risk of future psychological issues, and an enhanced quality of life. Notably, 98% of pediatric patients who have used a Starlight Gaming System express a desire to use it again, highlighting the ongoing benefits of the program.
PROGRAM UPDATES: The higher than usual 2021 figures below were influenced by delays in Fun Center construction and shipping caused by COVID-19. As restrictions eased, there was an increase in the placement of units in 2021, largely due to shipments carried over from the previous year.
GOALS: Our goal is to distribute 113 Starlight Gaming Systems, which include both Fun Centers and Starlight Handhelds (described above), in 2024 – representing a 5% increase. By 2027, we plan to distribute 129 systems annually, reflecting a 19% growth.
TREASURE CHESTS: PROGRAM ANALYSIS
Packed with puzzles, games, and toys to entertain all ages, Starlight Treasure Chests make sure pediatric patients always have a distraction from the stress of treatment or the boredom of waiting for their next appointment. The toys come in a special chest provided by Starlight Canada, which can be easily wiped down for infection control and are refilled at least twice a year. To view the program needs as indicated by our hospital partners, refer to our Hospital Wish List platform.
OUTCOMES: In addition to creating a quick, enjoyable outlet for kids to focus on other than medical treatments while in-hospital, these pick-me-ups often provide positive reinforcement after difficult treatments and procedures to help ease the process for both families and hospital staff.
GOALS: Our goal is to place or re-fill 230 Treasure Chests in 2024, a 5% increase, and 265 per year by 2027, an increase of 21%.
COMFORT KITS: PROGRAM ANALYSIS
Designed for babies to teens to parents, our Starlight Comfort KitsTM offer comfort, distraction, and entertainment for the whole family and bring a bit of softness to a stressful situation. Created to fit the needs of children and family members of all ages, Starlight offers 4 types of Comfort Kits: Baby Kits, Toddler Kits, Teen Kits, and Admit Kits. For full descriptions of each Comfort Kit, click here.
CONTENT INCLUDED (VARIES PER KIT): Toys, puzzles, lip balms, books, toothbrushes, crafts, hairbrushes, phone chargers, playing cards, and more.
OUTCOMES: By providing the immediate essentials for both play and comfort to a child and their family, a level of stress is removed in knowing that they have what they need to make it through their stay without any visits to the store – while maybe even sharing some smiles along the way. Since many seriously ill kids cannot share toys or items in-hospital due to infection control, Starlight Comfort Kits are quick fixes that are also especially important to keep spirits high and ease social interactions with hospital staff.
CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST FEEDBACK: Hospital staff and Child Life Specialists have indicated that Comfort Kits have helped them to provide quick emotional support to families and children in high-stress situations. “I saw first-hand how the wonderful gift bag turned tears into a smile,” shared Suzanne, Child Life Department, HSC Winnipeg.
FAMILY/PATIENT FEEDBACK: After benefitting from our Comfort Kits in-hospital directly, parents have shared that they were especially useful during emergency hospital admissions. Often times a child is rushed to the hospital in an emergency with a sudden diagnosis, a relapse, or any other critical situation. In these exceptionally stressful and urgent times, the last thing a parent does is stop and pack a bag. Designed for these unexpected trips, our kits help provide the key essentials to get both child and family through their stay.
GOALS: Our goal is to distribute 10,258 Comfort Kits in 2024, marking a 5% increase, and 11,873 per year by 2027, an increase of 21%.
HOSPITAL HAPPENINGSTM: PROGRAM ANALYSIS
Starlight Canada works with children’s hospitals across Canada to bring the party and distraction to in-patient children and their families – without having to leave the hospital. From decorations to special games and crafts, Hospital HappeningsTM provide an extra level of fun that every child needs to support them while stuck in the hospital.
OUTCOMES: Since Starlight Canada plans the whole event, hospital staff can stay focused on providing the top level of care. At the same time, families find relief in knowing that there is something else to do in the hospital, other than fearing for their next test, needle, or surgery.
PROGRAM UPDATES & LEARNING OUTCOMES: Due to COVID-19, we were limited/unable to hold full-scale Hospital Happenings, which is the cause for the lower reach in 2021. To make sure we could still provide emotional support in-hospital, we quickly adapted to offer part of this program virtually, such as through online Bingo Games or virtual Scavenger Hunts. Therefore, the numbers below for 2021 reflect the inclusion of virtual programming.
GOALS: Our goal is to hold 67 Hospital Happenings in 2024, representing a 5% increase, and to increase this number to 76 annually by 2027, reflecting an 18% growth.
PLAY FROM HOSPITAL SHIPMENTS: PROGRAM ANALYSIS
Hospitals can be an overwhelming and daunting place for children. With the anxiety of upcoming procedures and the restriction on visitors, time spent in the hospital can often feel challenging and lonely.
When the road to recovery feels long, Play From Hospital Shipments help transform the hospital experience through the power of distraction and joy. Happiness delivered safely to hospitals, these shipments include a variety of toys, crafts, board games, and countless other activities designed to encourage playtime and interaction. Carefully distributed by hospital staff to children and teens, each patient receives the perfect pick-me-up to help brighten their hardest days. To view the program needs as indicated by our hospital partners, refer to our Hospital Wish List platform.
CONTENT INCLUDED (VARIES PER SHIPMENT): Toys, arts and crafts, Lego sets, board games, sanitizers, and more.
OUTCOMES: The program creates several positive outcomes for pediatric patients, such as enhanced emotional well-being, reduced feelings of isolation, increased patient morale, and support for hospital staff. Playing provides a much-needed distraction from the anxiety and stress associated with medical procedures, helping to improve the emotional state of children and teens. With limited interactions, the activities and toys from the shipments offer companionship and engagement, alleviating feelings of loneliness. Receiving these special deliveries can significantly boost the spirits of young patients, giving them something to look forward to during their hospital stay. The program also provides hospital staff with additional tools to engage and comfort their young patients, making their caregiving roles a bit easier.
PROGRAM UPDATES & LEARNING OUTCOMES: Play From Hospital Shipments started in 2020 as a direct response to COVID-19. Designed specifically during a time when hospitalized children were isolated due to the pandemic, Play From Hospital Shipments helped parents who could not see their child feel less helpless, and kids who were stuck by themselves feel less bored or worried by having an activity to focus on. While we were limited in our other in-hospital programming in 2020/2021, this program was created so that we could carefully provide individual, sanitized gifts for paediatric patients. Given the feedback from hospitals about the ongoing isolation of their pediatric patients, even after the pandemic, we have continued to provide this program as needed.
OUT-OF-HOSPITAL PROGRAMS
A child’s chronic or critical condition has a heavy emotional impact on the entire family. The anxiety surrounding a diagnosis, uncertainty about the future, and the challenging acceptance of a lifelong condition can be overwhelming and emotionally draining. 95% of Starlight families report difficulties in finding and organizing care-free, quality time together because of the challenges associated with having a child with a serious or chronic illness. That’s why Starlight Canada is here.
By offering ongoing distraction-based programming for the family as a whole, Starlight Canada creates positive experiences to help improve their mental well-being. Starlight Canada’s out-of-hospital wish programs grant wishes of all sizes to give seriously ill children and their families a reason to smile year-round. Whether they are wishing for a simple night out with a loved one or dreaming big with an ultimate wish of a lifetime, Starlight Canada creates a variety of new opportunities that helps empower children, create rare family-bonding experiences, reduce stress, and increase emotional support. To view an in-depth analysis of Starlight family data trends and demographic information, click here.
Starlight Canada designs and bases our out-of-hospital program structures with strong consideration of feedback collected from our FUBU (For Us By Us) Committee discussions. These meetings are held at minimum once a year, consisting of a group of registered Starlight families, to provide insight into Starlight Canada’s strengths or areas for improvement.
STARLIGHT ONCE IN A LIFETIME WISHESTM: PROGRAM ANALYSIS
For Canadian children with chronic or critical illnesses, our Starlight Once In A Lifetime WishesTM help make the impossible come true by bringing their wishes to life. Whether it’s wishing for a trip to Walt Disney World or wishing to climb a mountain, Starlight Canada takes these dreams and makes them a reality. Available for children between the ages of 4 to 18, families are only eligible for this program if they have not had a wish granted by another non-profit organization, and acceptance is reviewed on a case-by-case basis in terms of their diagnoses and quality of life.
OUTCOMES: For kids and teens who have had so much of their life controlled by illness, having the ability to dream big and pick a wish of their own is an empowering moment that provides a sense of confidence and identity outside of a diagnosis. The excitement begins before the wish even takes place, as the hope of having something to look forward to as a family provides excitement and mental relief away from the medical worries. These unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences can give sick kids the strength to keep fighting, the hope for better days, or provides lasting memories for a family who may not always have their child by their side.
93% of Starlight families who received a Once In A Lifetime Wish said it was all they had hoped for–fostering hope, positivity and fulfillment during challenging times.
PROGRAM UPDATES: Please note that Once In A Lifetime Wishes were limited in 2021 due to pandemic restrictions, as reflected in the chart below.
GOALS: Our goal is to grant 433 total Wishes – characterized as Day Brightener Wishes (described below), Great Escapes Wishes (described below), and Once In A Lifetime Wishes – in 2024, a 5% increase, and approximately 500 per year by 2027, a 20% increase.
STARLIGHT GREAT ESCAPES® WISHES: PROGRAM ANALYSIS
When a child lives with a medical condition, it can often be difficult to find quality time with family, or even with friends, due to health constraints and financial obstacles. Starlight Great Escapes® Wishes bring families together to help make up for some lost time by creating fun-filled events for new memories and new friendships. These events include driving in exotic cars, movie screenings, harbour cruises, adapted skiing, holiday parties, sleepovers, and more. After a day spent with people who all truly understand one another, sick children are sure to go home with a renewed sense of strength and hope.
Designed for kids of all ages, illnesses, and abilities, we’re making sure no one is left out of the adventures. Starlight families and children who meet one another through these events have gone on to make lasting connections, friendships, and support systems for life. The program is currently available in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec.
OUTCOMES: A third-party study concluded that Great Escapes Wishes events improved the emotional well-being of children, while also reducing stress for parents. Societal costs associated with a child’s illness decreased after the event, while their quality of life increased. All parents who participated in the study would allow their child to attend again and found a high value attached to the event. For a comprehensive analysis of the findings, please view The Collaboration Vector’s Great Escapes Study. Although conducted in 2016, John McCormick, Research Lead of The Collaboration Vector Inc., indicated strong evidence that the results provide the same measure of outcomes to date. View his full statement from August 2022.
After attending a Starlight Great Escape Wish, 100% of Starlight families reported feeling more connected through positive quality time spent together, allowing for new memories and strengthened bonds. Great Escapes Wishes provide children with positive experiences, which help 99% of Starlight families alleviate the stress and anxiety associated with their illnesses.
Designed for inclusivity and accessibility for children of varying ages, illnesses, and capabilities, 99% of Starlight families report feeling included, valued, and respected at our events.
FAMILY DISCUSSIONS: Through FUBU (For Us By Us) discussions that are held at minimum once a year, consisting of a group of Starlight families that provide programming feedback, it was concluded that Starlight Great Escapes Wishes are our #1 requested out-of-hospital program for families with sick children. Given this significant demand, it represents our largest out-of-hospital program expenditure.
PROGRAM UPDATES: Due to the high interest in these events, a large focus has been put on our Great Escapes Wishes programming, with a goal to expand even further across Canada. Please note that Great Escapes Wishes were more limited in 2021 due to pandemic restrictions, as reflected in the chart below.
GOALS: Our goal is to grant 433 total Wishes – characterized as Day Brightener Wishes (described below), Great Escapes Wishes, and Once In A Lifetime Wishes (described above) – in 2024, a 5% increase, and approximately 500 per year by 2027, a 20% increase.
STARLIGHT DAY BRIGHTENER WISHESTM: PROGRAM ANALYSIS
Sometimes all a child wishes for in a given moment is a break from the hospitals, treatments, and therapies. Whether it’s cheering at a sports game, jamming along at a concert, learning at a museum, or much more, a Day Brightener Wish helps Starlight families unwind for a few hours and have some fun. Easy to fit around hospital schedules, these exciting outings are the perfect pick-me-ups to help provide emotional support through a child’s medical journey.
Regularly offered in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec and shared equally and fairly between all Starlight families, Starlight Canada distributes tickets on a regular basis.
OUTCOMES: By providing even small moments of normalcy, excitement, and joy to a sick child, we disrupt everyday anxieties and create positive memories for families who have missed out on so much, while giving them a boost of energy or hope that they may need to get through their next treatment.
Often times, accessibility and planning are issues for many families with a child who has mobility issues or extensive medical needs, making simple outings difficult. Our Day Brightener Wishes take this into consideration and offer many wheelchair-accessible experiences that may otherwise be difficult to find. Given the flexibility and year-round opportunities that this program provides, stress is reduced by removing the obstacles of planning and associated costs.
FAMILY DISCUSSIONS: Starlight families expressed gratitude for having siblings included in ticket opportunities as part of our Day Brightener Wishes. Sharing that having a child with an illness can often take a toll on the emotional well-being of siblings as well, it’s important that they are included in activities and given a chance to shine. “Asides from all the smiles you give kids who are in and out of hospital, we are so grateful for the thoughts that go towards the siblings who very often are forgotten,” a Starlight parent shared. “It is one of the things that hit us the most – you always include them.”
PROGRAM UPDATES & LEARNING OUTCOMES: Given the growing demand for tickets that comes with an increase of registered Starlight families, we recently have focused more effort on outreach and nurturing relationships with ticket-holding companies/foundations to save spending costs while still creating an impact. As a direct result from this, we saw a 24.5% increase in ticket donations in 2023 compared to 2022. Visits to the Zoo/Aquarium were the most common Day Brightener offered in 2023, with strong interest found among Starlight families.
Please note that Day Brightener Wishes were more limited in 2021 due to pandemic restrictions, as reflected in the chart below.
GOALS: Our goal is to grant 433 total Wishes – characterized as Day Brightener Wishes (described above), Great Escapes Wishes, and Once In A Lifetime Wishes (described above) – in 2024, a 5% increase, and approximately 500 per year by 2027, a 20% increase.
The following table illustrates the collecting wish granting programming for Once In A Lifetime Wishes, Great Escapes Wishes, and Day Brightener Wishes.
PLAY FROM HOME PACKS: PROGRAM ANALYSIS
Play From Home Packs are more than just boxes of toys; they’re a source of joy and comfort for seriously ill children stuck at home. Imagine being cooped up for days on end due to illness, feeling isolated and alone. Now, picture the excitement when a Play From Home Pack arrives, filled with toys, games, crafts, engaging activities, and more.
Created for children and teens of all abilities and diagnoses, Play From Home Packs give Starlight families a chance to bond, to laugh, and to find moments of comfort and excitement together, right in their living rooms. They’re a reminder that even in the toughest times, they’re not alone.
OUTCOMES: Play From Home Packs have provided families with seriously ill children the chance to bond, receive emotional support, and find much-needed engagement and distraction. The activities included in the packs create opportunities for families to spend quality time together, strengthening family bonds and creating a sense of normalcy during challenging times. Play From Home Packs serve as a reminder to families that they are not alone in their struggles. It can provide emotional support and a sense of community knowing that others care about their well-being. The toys, games, and crafts in the packs offer children a way to engage their minds and distract them from their illness and any associated pain or discomfort.
In particular during the pandemic – when other opportunities for excitement and interaction were limited – the program enriched the mental well-being of families isolated at-home by providing a source of joy and anticipation.
PROGRAM NEED: According to a survey, 72% of Starlight parents expressed interest in receiving another Play From Home Pack.
PROGRAM UPDATES & LEARNING OUTCOMES: Play From Home Packs were initially introduced in 2020 as a temporary measure in response to the pandemic. With our Starlight children, many of whom have immune deficiencies, confined to their homes due to COVID-19, we recognized the need for a solution that would bring joy, laughter, and relief to families facing illness during this challenging time. Although the program was launched in response to the pandemic, we plan to continue providing these packs filled with toys, simply on a less frequent basis. We have observed that while the demand for this program was particularly high during the peaks of the pandemic, many families with seriously ill children continue to experience periods of isolation due to their diagnoses or conditions.
“A lot of money is raised for a cure and that’s great. However, a lot of kids won’t be around for that cure. You need to take care of them today.”
– Starlight dad, Steve Brunetta, who lost his 12-year-old daughter, Brooke, after a 20-month battle with leukemia.