EVERYTHING GROUNDBREAKING
STARTS SMALL
STARTS SMALL
There’s something special about being the first. It might mean acting on a hunch before anyone else, tackling a problem in a novel way or seeing potential where others haven’t.
Being first is about more than just leading the way, though. It’s about paving a path that others can follow, transforming lives near and far, and setting entirely new standards for care that shape all of our futures.
That’s why last year was truly extraordinary, as BC Children’s achieved numerous groundbreaking milestones that moved us closer than ever to our vision of a healthier tomorrow.
This success didn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of remarkable acts of generosity, big and small, from our incredible community of over 100,000 supporters.
Your generosity is behind
every courageous action,
every major milestone and
every transformed life.
As you read through these pages, remember that this isn’t just our story of progress. It’s yours too. By choosing to step forward and build a brighter tomorrow, you’ve empowered medical and research experts to take the next bold leaps in shaping what children’s health care should be.
Thanks to you, that future is more daring and audacious than we ever imagined.
the firsts you helped enable last year
-
CANADIAN HOSPITAL TO IMPLANT A NEW TYPE -
IN CANADA TO TEST CANCER DRUGS TARGETED TO IN CHICKEN EGG MODELS -
IN THE WORLD TO DISCOVER A GAIN-OF-FUNCTION MARK4, WHICH IMPACTS NEUROLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT -
LAUNCHED THE A IN CANADA IN SCALE AND SCOPE -
IN THE WORLD TO BY CREATING ORGANOIDS WITH MICROGLIA-LIKE CELLS
Equipment
personalizing Cancer Care for the 20%
Pediatric cancer care has made remarkable strides over the past several decades, with 80% of kids now surviving the disease. Yet, progress has been more elusive for the one in every five kids who currently relapses. These children and their families face a daunting journey, as limited therapies—beyond the conventional ones—have been approved for pediatric cancers.
Last year, researchers at the Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program at BC Children’s made progress in tackling aggressive and hard-to-cure cancers. They became the first in Canada to model a child’s unique cancer tumour using chicken eggs. By doing this at the time of diagnosis, they can rapidly test different drugs to see how a child’s cancer will respond—ensuring they’re ready with the best therapy if a relapse occurs.
We also celebrated another major milestone: the arrival of the fastest and most sensitive mass spectrometer for protein analysis in Canada. The cutting-edge, donor-funded technology allows scientists to look at how specific proteins function in a cancer cell, delivering powerful insights into how they identify potentially new and more effective forms of cancer treatment.
CTV News story video (2:25)
A novel way to overcome the most aggressive cancers
Programs
Bringing trials closer to home
Kids aren’t just small adults. But too often, they’ve been cared for that way, receiving therapies designed for adults that can cause serious side effects. Many also miss out on life-changing treatments simply because they haven’t been tested on children or aren’t available locally.
This year, BC Children’s Hospital took an enormous step in changing that reality by launching the Clinical Trials Super Hub. This groundbreaking initiative provides the resources and infrastructure needed to empower experts across all areas of the hospital to deliver existing trials and launch their own, on site. It’s a model that’s the first of its kind in the country in scale and scope, and that will likely be unmatched in all of North America once fully expanded.
For kids and families, the Super Hub means access to safer, more effective treatments previously out of reach, including the world’s most innovative options. As for BC Children’s, the initiative is solidifying its reputation as a global leader in the development and delivery of cutting-edge clinical trials, marking a major leap in our journey to transform pediatric health care.
Clinical Trials Super Hub designation video (2:59)
A daring vision to bring cutting-edge treatments to BC’s kids
Education
big possibilities in 3d tech
For several years, pediatric experts at BC Children’s Hospital have been harnessing the power of 3D technology to simulate and plan complex surgeries with unparalleled precision, before stepping foot in the operating room. But we always knew that was only the start of what’s possible. In 2023, the Digital Lab made major strides in advancing the capabilities of this technology and expanding impact throughout the hospital.
Working alongside physicians and surgeons, they’re using 3D technology to create complex models and simulate intricate surgeries for advanced sarcomas, congenital heart defects and orthopedic conditions. Precise 3D anatomical models are also supporting clinical training and helping kids and families to better understand their conditions.
We also reached a huge milestone in 2023: over 100 complex surgical cases were supported through this program, with the highest number of cases ever recorded last year.
Care Enhancements
Getting kids home sooner
Many kids in the hospital, like those recovering from severe infections, often reach a point where they feel well enough to return home. But one thing holds them back: they still need IV antibiotics.
Usually, this means staying as an inpatient for weeks or even months longer. In fact, clinicians here found that 10% of the days kids spent in the hospital’s general pediatrics ward were only because they required a long course of IV antibiotics, even though they were otherwise medically stable.
Thanks in part to generous donor support, BC Children’s rolled out the Pediatric IV Outpatient Therapy, or PIVOT, program in early 2023. It trains families and caregivers to use simple devices to administer IV antibiotics to kids in the comfort of their homes. If they have questions or need guidance, the hospital’s nursing team is just a video call away.
Timelapse of PIVOT (0:53)
Empowering families to administer IV medications at home
Research
unlocking the brain’s secrets
The brain is one of the body’s biggest mysteries, with 90% of what we know about it only being discovered in the last three decades. While strides have been made in understanding brain disorders, countless questions remain.
Researchers at BC Children’s are unravelling these complexities with brain organoids—tiny, lab-grown replicas of the brain. Last year, Dr. Mahmoud Pouladi achieved a remarkable feat. He became the first in the world to create brain organoids with microglia-like cells, the brain’s resident immune cells. This allows for a more accurate representation of brain disorders, enabling researchers to see how they develop and respond to treatments.
Already, this work is advancing our understanding of fragile X syndrome, bringing new hope to kids and families living with the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability. Since microglia cells play a crucial role throughout the body, this research has the potential to revolutionize care for a host of conditions outside of the brain.
People
Enabling Innovative dreams
As one of the world’s top pediatric hospitals, BC Children’s is determined to continually advance the outstanding care it provides to kids and families. More than anything, it’s people who do just that. They drive progress in care, make groundbreaking research discoveries and inspire the next generation of child health leaders. But to realize their most ambitious goals, they require resources.
Hospital Chair video (5:30)
How Hospital Chairs will shape the future of child health
That’s where Hospital Chairs come in. As one of the most prestigious appointments a hospital can offer, they provide internationally distinguished leaders with flexible funds that empower them to boldly chase their visions. Not surprisingly, Chairs act as a powerful magnet for attracting and retaining the best and brightest.
Last year, BC Children’s got a significant boost to its Hospital Chair Program. Visionary donors enabled BC Children’s to establish five new Hospital Chairs, growing its total to 10. These are the latest areas being transformed because
of the program.
- > Child & Youth Mental Health Research
- > Developmental Pediatrics
- > Diabetes Research
- > Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplant (BMT)
- > Research
You’re pushing the next advances over the finish line
Together, you’ve empowered visionary medical minds to press forward in tackling daunting health challenges. Thanks to your generosity, we’re making bold advancements in personalized medicine that target the root cause of a child’s illness. We’re changing the odds for some of the most devastating diseases. And we’re moving closer to eradicating chronic conditions that rob too many kids of the simple joys of childhood.
$0 m
provided to the hospital and research institute through our supporters
000,000+
patients received the best possible care
Every dollar counts
BC kids prove that small can be mighty—and with the right support, research and care, more of them have a fighting chance. Thank you to our donors for making this possible.