Happy birthday to us! SickKids celebrates 150 years strong

Back in 1875, our founders led by Elizabeth McMaster opened the doors to a hospital “for the admission and treatment of all sick children, regardless of ability to pay.” A century and a half later, we opened our hearts to celebrate our tradition of excellence and longstanding leadership in clinical care, research and learning – past, present and future.

SickKids saluted the sesquicentennial in SickKids style – welcoming, connecting and uniting children, youth, families, staff, donors, volunteers, SickKids leaders and dignitaries – at a 150th birthday celebration in the hospital’s iconic Atrium. There, hundreds of glowing faces lined each level of the building to be part of this historic day. More than 4,500 alumni, collaborators and community members from 47 countries joined via livestream.

Event host Faizal Khamisa, a childhood cancer survivor treated at SickKids and Sportsnet anchor, introduced Dr. Ronald Cohn, President and CEO of SickKids. Cohn kicked off the occasion with an address that reflected on SickKids’ rise from humble beginnings in the late 19th century to ranking among the foremost paediatric centres in the world today.

“SickKids care, our research, our learning that happen here are – and I hope you all agree with me – second to none,” Cohn told the crowd. “And for that, let’s take one day, and just be proud of it. We all earned it.” 

Praise the past, fete the future 

Looking ahead, Cohn said there’s much more to come from SickKids and pointed to Precision Child Health (PCH) as our guiding star. He described this revolutionary movement as health care that’s more precisely individualized to each patient than ever before. We will be able to diagnose faster, treat smarter, predict better and eventually even get to a point where we will prevent certain illness altogether from happening. That, everyone, is the next chapter of SickKids.

Other speakers included several distinguished members of government, including the Honourable Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier & Minister of Health, Government of Ontario; the Honourable Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services of Ontario, Government of Ontario’ and Her Worship Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto. 

The importance of SickKids to the community and vice-versa was amplified by Jennifer Bernard, President & CEO, SickKids Foundation, who said philanthropy has always been at the heart of SickKids, which started in a community experiencing poverty, overcrowding, poor nutrition, disease, and cultural barriers. Not only did SickKids depend on the community to get it going, but to keep it going. 

“The initial donations to establish SickKids were from 21 cents to $22, a lot of money 150 years ago,” she says. “Today, we have roughly 340,000 donors a year – all equally vital and equally valued. Thank you to our community.” 

Balloon sculptures float in place 

It wouldn’t be a birthday without balloons, and SickKids put its special touch on those too. Go “balloonspotting” for 150 balloon sculptures created to commemorate SickKids 150th birthday that will be popping up in places near and far, including SickKids, around the city, province and even internationally. Each one celebrates a first or an impact that SickKids has contributed through the decades. 

The honour of unveiling the first balloon sculpture was appropriately bestowed upon the descendants of Elizabeth McMaster, who travelled to Toronto to be part of the celebration and honour their ancestor whose name is forever tied to the origin of SickKids. 

Lizzy Leonard is named after her great-great-great grandmother Elizabeth McMaster who started something “important” with SickKids. “One of the first donations Elizabeth received was addressed ‘for the sick little ones,’” she says. “Thank you to the entire SickKids organization for creating a better world by caring for our little ones and bringing our family here to celebrate your 150 years of excellence.” 

Speaking of special connections to SickKids, there are many staff members who work here who are also former patients. One of them is Child Life Specialist and childhood cancer survivor Natalie Wilson.  

“I am where I am today due to SickKids not only saving my life, but preserving my childhood and providing the support to rebuild my strength, both physically and psychosocially,” Natalie says. “I learned there is much more that goes into health and quality of life aside from medications, which inspired me to become a Child Life Specialist.” 

After her address, Wilson took her place in an Ambassador Parade of 150 patients, families and staff that poured into the hospital Atrium. The procession paid tribute to what makes SickKids special: 150 years of helping kids be kids and families be families. It was a beautiful symbol of the connection and compassion that binds staff, patients and families together every day. 

After the parade, three participants – patients Stephanie Stavros, Leigha Hawksworth and Caleb Linton – came on stage to share their stories and thank SickKids for helping them celebrate many more birthdays to come.

Are you one, are you two…are you 150?! 

SickKids’ trio of music therapists then led the crowd in a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday,” which culminated in the cutting of a giant birthday cake. 

Morgan Clark and her daughter Chloe were deeply touched to be part of the parade. Chloe, 8, has been a SickKids patient almost all her life after being diagnosed with Williams syndrome, a genetic disorder that can affect many parts of the body. Chloe currently visits SickKids for appointments up to six times a month – including the day of the SickKids 150th birthday. 

One of Chloe’s favourite parts of the day was seeing Hollywood star and SickKids supporter Ryan Reynolds in a “happy birthday” video compilation. “When she saw him on the screen, Chloe said ‘that’s my guy,” says Ms Clark. 

The festivities were far from over after that – and there was something for everyone. 

• Patients and families partook in a craft show in in Marnie’s Studio where they made a giant gooey birthday cake made of slime. 
• There was also birthday fun In Marnie’s Lounge, where patients and families enjoyed cupcakes, activities, signed a giant birthday card and more. 
• The bridge linking the Atrium to the Patient Support Centre was transformed into a gallery featuring old photos, artifacts and displays highlighting SickKids’ rich history. 
• Cohn moderated a panel of former SickKids leaders for a compelling discussion on their leadership journeys, milestones, and the evolution of SickKids. Panelists: Mary Jo Haddad (President and CEO, 2004-2013), Dr. Denis Daneman (Paediatrician-in-Chief, 2006-2016) and Dr. Alan Goldbloom (Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, 2001-2002, and various VP roles since 1993). 
• Current and former Chiefs of Research sat down to share their perspectives of how they have shaped and led SickKids Research Institute. Panelists: Drs. Stephen Scherer, Janet Rossant and Michael Salter. 

Beyond the cupcakes, trivia contests, photobooths, and special guestbook signings, at the centre of the celebration were the people who brought SickKids birthday to life. They are the children in our care; the loving families who partner with us; the front-line, corporate services and support staff who keep our operations going 24/7; the researchers on the cusp of groundbreaking discoveries; the learners who are the next generation of health-care practitioners; the donors and volunteers who give to ensure this cherished legacy continues.  

These compassionate and devoted individuals are known collectively and affectionately as the SickKids Family.