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 program spending percentage since 2022 is mainly due to our gradual return to in-person events and fundraising after COVID-19 restrictions eased.
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 (2024)
Allocation of Expenses (2024)
Programming: $8,235,806 (83.5%)
Fundraising: $1,335,812 (13.5%)
Administration: $297,409 (3%)
Please refer to our audited financials or our Canada Revenue Agency page for more information.
ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES: AMOUNT SPENT ON PROGRAMMING ($8,235,806):
This value is calculated by totaling the amount of expenses that directly contributed to hospital-to-home programs. Breakdown: Expense total: $9,869,027; minus the expenses not related to programming (fundraising or administration costs): $1,633,221; equals the total spent on programming: $8,235,806.
The graph above does not reflect the value of in-kind donations also distributed through programs such as Toy Shipments and Comfort Kits.
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 137 hospitals we partner with, click here.
For the 2025/2026 period, we have already received over 60,000 requests for our programs from our Canadian healthcare 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 VIRTUAL REALITY: PROGRAM ANALYSIS
Starlight Virtual Reality is taking hospitalized kids virtually anywhere in the world, and beyond—providing a transformative mental health escape. Starlight Canada’s groundbreaking virtual reality program is transforming the hospital experience for sick children, offering an exciting and immersive escape from their hospital room. Whether standing, seated in a wheelchair, or in bed feeling too weak to stand, every child can explore new worlds and find joy through play. From the bottom of the sea to all corners of the universe, there are no limits to where the Starlight VR may take them.
SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES: Starlight VR delivers immediate comfort to hospitalized children by transforming stressful medical procedures into moments of wonder and distraction. Backed by research showing significant reductions in both pain and anxiety during procedures, Starlight VR immerses young patients in calming, engaging virtual worlds—helping them focus on fun rather than fear (Eijlers et al., 2019).
Also supported by other studies reporting high engagement, more smiles, and physiological signs of relaxation—such as improved heart rate variability—Starlight VR provides an effective, non-invasive way to ease distress in hospital settings (Rodriguez et al., 2022), making even the toughest moments a little brighter.
Starlight Gaming Systems ease interactions with hospital staff by 95%, enabling staff to provide better care for their patients.
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES: Beyond easing immediate stress, Starlight VR helps build emotional resilience and supports healthy development for children facing prolonged hospital stays By offering interactive experiences that promote play, exploration, and hope, Starlight VR can reduce the risk of long-term psychological trauma associated with repeated medical interventions—a benefit highlighted by findings from JAMA Pediatrics showing VR’s potential to lower procedural stress (Eijlers et al., 2019).
PROGRAM UPDATES & LEARNING OUTCOMES: Introduced as a pilot in 2023 and expanded in 2024, Starlight VR is the newest addition to our in-hospital programming. Despite being newly launched, we’ve already received nearly 200 requests, with many hospitals asking for multiple units to meet patient demand—demonstrating the program’s growing need.
Based on hospital feedback during the pilot phase, we’ve updated game selections and now include a gift card so hospitals can purchase titles that best meet their patients’ needs. We’ve also added a silicone face cover, head strap, and hygiene-friendly components to better support infection control.
GOALS: In 2025, we are aiming for a 5% increase with a goal of distributing 110 systems—including Starlight VR, Fun Centers, and Handhelds—and remain on track toward our long-term goal of 127 systems annually by 2028, reflecting a 21% growth. This goal is set with the intention that by 2028, this level of annual distribution will allow us to support the needs of each hospital—ensuring every partner receives at least one, if not several, of these Starlight Gaming Systems. While not all requests may be met in full, this approach aligns with projected demand from our recent program needs survey and remains consistent with current fundraising and sponsorship trends.
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.
SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES: Due to the positive effects of gaming as a distraction tool, 95% of medical professionals reported improved behavior among pediatric patients—such as reduced restlessness and anxiety—after using a Starlight Gaming System. This data was collected in May–June 2024 through a national survey distributed to hospitals that received the latest version of a Starlight Handheld or a Starlight Fun Center.
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES: As referenced in the research above regarding Starlight VR, studies have shown that mood, comfort, and distraction are key factors in managing anxiety. Similarly, the Starlight Handheld serves as a versatile tool with long-term benefits by helping to transform the hospital experience into a more positive one. This can reduce the likelihood of children developing trauma or fear associated with medical environments, lessening the risk of future psychological challenges.
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 in response to a growing need for more portable gaming options, the Starlight Handheld continues to play a vital role in our in-hospital programming. Designed with inclusivity in mind, this device is especially impactful for patients with limited mobility or vision impairments. Its accessible design makes it easy to use—even for children with fine motor challenges—ensuring more kids can enjoy comfort, connection, and a welcome distraction during their hospital stay.
GOALS: In 2025, we are aiming for a 5% increase with a goal of distributing 110 systems—including Starlight VR, Fun Centers, and Handhelds—and remain on track toward our long-term goal of 127 systems annually by 2028, reflecting a 21% growth. This goal is set with the intention that by 2028, this level of annual distribution will allow us to support the needs of each hospital—ensuring every partner receives at least one, if not several, of these Starlight Gaming Systems. While not all requests may be met in full, this approach aligns with projected demand from our recent program needs survey and remains consistent with current fundraising and sponsorship trends.
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!
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.
This data was collected in May–June 2024 through a national survey distributed to hospitals that received the latest version of a Starlight Fun Center or Starlight Handheld.
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.
GOALS: In 2025, we are aiming for a 5% increase with a goal of distributing 110 systems—including Starlight VR, Fun Centers, and Handhelds—and remain on track toward our long-term goal of 127 systems annually by 2028, reflecting a 21% growth. This goal is set with the intention that by 2028, this level of annual distribution will allow us to support the needs of each hospital—ensuring every partner receives at least one, if not several, of these Starlight Gaming Systems. While not all requests may be met in full, this approach aligns with projected demand from our recent program needs survey and remains consistent with current fundraising and sponsorship trends.
TREASURE CHESTS: PROGRAM ANALYSIS
Packed with puzzles, games, and toys to engage children of all ages, Starlight Treasure Chests provide pediatric patients with vital moments of joy and distraction—helping to ease the stress of medical treatments and the boredom of long hospital stays or waiting for appointments. Each toy is housed in a special Starlight Canada chest designed for easy cleaning to support infection control, and chests are refilled upon request from a partner hospital to ensure a consistent source of comfort. Each toy becomes a keepsake children can take home, serving as a positive reminder of their strength during a difficult time.
OUTCOMES: Beyond offering immediate relief and entertainment, Starlight Treasure Chests contribute to improved emotional well-being by providing positive reinforcement after challenging treatments or procedures. These moments of happiness can reduce anxiety, encourage cooperation during care, and strengthen the connection between hospital staff, patients, and families—making the overall healthcare experience less intimidating and more supportive.
PROGRAM UPDATES: While there was no increase in Treasure Chest placements this year, this was primarily due to fewer requests from hospitals, many of which had recently received large shipments through our Play From Hospital program (see analysis for details). However, with a new distribution system now in place, we remain on track to meet our long-term goals moving forward.
LESSONS LEARNED: In 2025, we will proactively send chests and/or refills twice a year to all partner hospitals that wish to receive them—helping ensure they have toys on hand, even if they don’t submit a request. This approach addresses the learning that some hospitals simply forget to ask when their chests are depleted, and it will help us reach our future placement goals, as listed below.
GOALS: Our goal is to place or refill 185 Treasure Chests in 2025—a 5% increase—and reach 210 per year by 2028, representing a 13% increase. Beyond 2028, we aim to sustain a minimum of 200 placements annually.
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 5 types of Comfort Kits: Baby Kits, Toddler Kits, Teen Kits, Admit Kits, and Indigenous 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: OUTCOMES: Starlight Comfort Kits provide families with immediate access to essential items—reducing the emotional and logistical stress of an unexpected hospital stay. From a phone charger that keeps parents connected, to a soft toy or activity book that brings a moment of calm, each item is carefully chosen to offer relief, familiarity, and joy.
Especially valuable in units with strict infection control, these personal kits help children feel safe and cared for while also supporting positive interactions with hospital staff. Hospitals consistently report that Comfort Kits fill a critical gap—helping families who arrive unprepared feel seen, supported, and a little more at ease during a difficult time.
LEARNING OUTCOMES & PROGRAM UPDATES: In 2024, overall Comfort Kit distribution saw a slight decline, as many hospitals received toys and items through our expanded Play From Hospital shipments instead (see below)—reflecting a shift in how in-kind donations were delivered based on sponsor priorities.
In 2024, Starlight Canada launched a pilot Indigenous Comfort Kit in response to a critical need identified by hospitals serving Indigenous pediatric patients. With 83% of hospitals reporting a lack of mental health resources—and 40% of Indigenous children living below the poverty line—this initiative aimed to address a pressing gap in care.
Developed in consultation with Indigenous representatives from partner hospitals, the kits were designed to provide culturally sensitive comfort and support. They were distributed to the five hospitals with the highest intake of Indigenous pediatric patients. Within just two months, over 75% of the kits were in the hands of children, underscoring the urgent demand and early success of the program.
GOALS: Following the strong demand and positive feedback from the pilot program, Starlight Canada aims to expand the Indigenous Comfort Kit initiative to seven hospitals. In addition to the original five—Montreal Children’s Hospital (QC), Stollery Children’s Hospital (AB), Winnipeg Children’s Hospital (MB), Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital (SK), and BC Children’s Hospital (BC)—we plan to include Stanton Territorial Hospital and Hay River Health Centre in the Northwest Territories.
In 2025, our goal is to distribute 750 Indigenous Comfort Kits—a 50% increase from the pilot year—with the aim of doubling distribution by 2028. This goal is based on meeting the minimum needs of the hospitals listed above, as well as the proposals currently being presented to sponsors and donors to help fulfill those needs.
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.
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 are fun-filled events that provide an extra level of fun that every child needs to support them while stuck in the hospital.
SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES: Since Starlight Canada plans and delivers the entire event, hospital staff can stay focused on providing exceptional care, while families experience moments of joy and connection that ease the emotional toll of hospitalization. These events offer children and their loved ones a positive alternative to worrying about their next test, needle, or procedure—bringing moments of fun when they’re needed most.
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES: Hospital Happenings create positive memories that help children feel less fearful of future hospital visits, strengthen family resilience during long medical journeys, and build lasting trust between families and hospital staff.
As a result, Hospital Happenings contribute to more positive long-term healthcare experiences, where families feel supported, children are more at ease in medical settings, and hospitals become trusted spaces of healing and connection.
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.
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 in-hospital, 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.
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES: Positive hospital experiences — where children feel seen, valued, and comforted — can help reduce the risk of medical trauma and foster greater trust in healthcare settings in the future. Additionally, by equipping hospital staff with meaningful tools to engage patients, the program supports a more compassionate and holistic care environment that can strengthen patient-provider relationships over time.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Play From Hospital Shipments began in 2020 as a direct response to COVID-19, providing individual, sanitized gifts to hospitalized children who were isolated during the pandemic. The program was designed to help ease the anxiety of young patients who couldn’t have visitors and to offer parents, unable to be by their child’s side, a sense of comfort knowing their child had something engaging to focus on.
Since then, hospital feedback has shown that pediatric patients continue to experience moments of isolation due to medical protocols and individual circumstances. As a result, we’ve continued to offer Play From Hospital Shipments where needed, ensuring children still have access to meaningful distractions during difficult times.
PROGRAM UPDATES: The increase in toy distribution in 2024 compared to 2023 was directly due to increased sponsorship support for this program, enabling more deliveries to hospitals across the country. As a result of this focus on our Play From Hospital program, the number of toys and items distributed through Comfort Kits and Treasure Chests (as listed above) saw a slight decrease. However, hospitals were still receiving toys—just through a different channel—reflecting a shift in how support was delivered rather than a reduction in overall impact.
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. 83% of Starlight families report that living with a serious or chronic illness has affected their child’s mental health. 96% say it has also taken a toll on the entire family, including siblings and parents. 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. 89% of families reported that Starlight Canada offers them essential emotional support as they care for a sick child.
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 annual discussions, held at minimum once per year, bring together a group of registered Starlight families to provide insights on our strengths and areas for improvement. This process is complemented by an annual survey distributed to all registered Starlight families.
The table below outlines the outpatient wish-granting programs delivered in 2024, including Once In A Lifetime Wishes, Great Escapes Wishes, and Day Brightener Wishes. In 2023 and 2022, these figures also included our Play From Home Packs program, which was discontinued in 2024—resulting in a decrease in the number of total programs offered.
Originally launched in 2020 as a temporary response to the pandemic, Play From Home Packs were designed to bring joy, comfort, and distraction to Starlight children—many of whom have immune deficiencies and were confined to their homes during COVID-19. These curated toy packs were delivered directly to families to help ease the isolation of illness during an already difficult time. In recent years, however, the need and demand for this program has declined. With the return of in-person programming, toys and activities are now often distributed during on-site events, reducing the need for this initiative.
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.
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES: 100% of families reported that even after their Wish experience had ended, they continued to cherish and benefit from the memories it created—demonstrating the lasting emotional impact of a Starlight Wish on a family’s journey through serious illness.
These lasting memories become pillars of strength during future hospital stays and treatment cycles, reminding families of joyful moments shared together. Children often show increased emotional resilience and decreased fear in medical settings after a Wish, while parents and caregivers report improved coping strategies, a greater sense of community support, and reduced feelings of isolation.
GOALS: In 2025, our goal is to achieve a 10% increase in the number of Once In A Lifetime Wishes granted and sustain this growth through to 2028.
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.
SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES: After attending a Starlight Great Escape Wish, 100% of families reported feeling more connected through meaningful quality time, creating cherished memories and strengthening family bonds. These inclusive experiences help reduce the stress and anxiety of illness for children, with 99% of families sharing that the event provided a much-needed emotional reprieve.
Starlight Great Escape Wishes have also been shown to significantly improve the mental health of children facing serious illness, with participants reporting an average 92% improvement in emotional well-being following the event.
Designed to be accessible and inclusive for children of all ages, diagnoses, and abilities, 99% of families also reported feeling valued, respected, and fully included at our events.
These findings are based on a national survey conducted in July 2024, gathering feedback from all Great Escapes Wishes participants over the past 12 months.
A third-party study also 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.
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES: By offering inclusive, joy-filled experiences that foster family connection, these events help reduce long-term stress and isolation often associated with chronic illness. Families report strengthened bonds, improved quality of life, and a greater sense of community belonging. Over time, these outcomes may contribute to improved coping strategies, reduced emotional strain on caregivers, and decreased societal costs linked to pediatric illness management.
FAMILY DISCUSSIONS & LEARNING OUTCOMES: Through our annual FUBU (For Us, By Us) discussions—a dedicated forum where Starlight families provide direct feedback on programming—we learned that among of our nationally scaled events, Drive For Smiles, Trick or Suite, and VIP Holiday Shopping Parties were consistently ranked as the top three Great Escapes Wishes by participating families.
Through the FUBU, families also identified areas for improvement within the Great Escapes program, including the need for clearer signage, more accessible meal options, and well-defined waiting areas at events.
PROGRAM UPDATES: Based on these valuable insights, we have identified our high-impact events within our Great Escapes Wishes program that we will expand on in the future. In response to feedback, we are also working to enhance the event experience by improving signage, expanding meal options, and establishing clearly defined waiting areas to better support families during these special outings.
GOALS: In response to this FUBU family feedback identifying Drive For Smiles, Trick or Suite, and Secret Santa as our top-rated nationally offered events, we are shifting our focus in 2025 to prioritize these high-impact experiences. While we anticipate a short-term decrease of 5%–10% in total overall program uses (as partially reflected in the outpatient wish-granting chart above), this is due to the strategic removal of select lower-impact Great Escapes events. Our goal is to enhance the quality and depth of impact delivered through our most meaningful experiences. By 2028, we aim to increase attendance at these high-impact events by approximately 8–10%, supported by the growth of our national Starlight network and expanded regional reach, allowing us to engage more families in meaningful and memorable ways across Canada.
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, Day Brightener Wishes help ease everyday anxieties and create uplifting memories for families who have missed out on so much—offering a much-needed boost of energy and hope during difficult medical journeys. The program also removes the stress of planning and costs, offering flexible, year-round opportunities that are often wheelchair-accessible and considerate of medical and mobility needs.
Starlight families identified the top three benefits of Day Brightener Wishes through Starlight’s FUBU (For Us By Us) feedback initiative as: (1) supporting their child’s emotional well-being, (2) increasing family bonding time, and (3) including siblings and other family members in the experience.
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES: Long-term, these regular moments of joy support emotional resilience, strengthen family bonds, and help reduce feelings of isolation. Families build lasting positive memories that aren’t defined by illness, contributing to a greater sense of normalcy and emotional well-being over time.
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: With the growing number of registered Starlight families, demand for Day Brightener tickets has significantly increased. To help meet this need while minimizing spending, we’ve placed greater focus on outreach and strengthening relationships with ticket-holding companies and foundations. As a result, between 2022 and 2024, we saw an overall increase of approximately 10% in ticket donations and program participation, reflecting steady growth over the two-year period despite year-to-year fluctuations. Among these offerings, zoo and aquarium visits were the most commonly granted Day Brightener wishes in 2023–2024, proving especially popular with families.
At the same time, feedback from our FUBU (For Us By Us) initiative highlighted the need for more variety in the types of experiences offered—particularly to better serve different age groups, interests, and abilities.
In response, we are not only continuing to grow our network of ticket donors, but also expanding our outreach to a broader range of venues that align with these evolving needs. This includes developing more engaging opportunities for teens and younger children, and ensuring our Day Brightener program continues to deliver meaningful, inclusive experiences for every family.
GOALS: Our objective is to grant a total of 372 Day Brightener Wishes in 2025, reflecting a 5% increase. By 2028, we aim to reach approximately 415 annually, representing a 17% overall growth. This goal is directly tied to the FUBU findings mentioned above and reflects our increased outreach for ticket donations to address the specific needs identified, while continuing to provide our current level of support.
“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.