Hope in Every Step: A Centennial Celebration of Healing, Humanity, and Shriners Children’s Canada
- trevor3861
- Jun 20
- 9 min read
Updated: Jun 21
EDMONTON, AB — June 19, 2025
By Trevor Eliott, Assistant Rabban - Mr. Fancy Fez
As part of the 100th anniversary of Shriners Children’s Canada, members of the hospital’s Board of Governors and leadership team traveled from Montreal to Edmonton to participate in a heartfelt celebration hosted by Al Shamal Shrine Centre. Their visit marked the official kickoff of a weekend-long Centennial commemoration that also recognized the 100th
Anniversary of the Edmonton Ladies Auxiliary — a group that has supported Shriners care and compassion for a full century.
Held in Biff’s Lounge, the event was filled with gratitude, emotion, and renewed purpose as Shriners, hospital leaders, Daughters of the Nile, and local volunteers gathered to honour the past and look toward the future.
“This Is Real Canadiana”
As Nobles, Ladies, hospital staff, and families gathered side by side, Board Vice Chairman Ciro Cuccinello paused to take it all in.
“This,” Cuccinello noted, gesturing to the crowd, “is real Canadiana.”
The moment captured what made this gathering so powerful — not just organizational success, but human unity across geography, backgrounds, and generations. From Edmonton to Montreal, and across every province, Shriners Children’s Canada remains a uniquely Canadian beacon of healing.
Board members noted that the warmth and hospitality they received in Edmonton exemplified the spirit of unity that defines Canadian Shrinedom. In heartfelt side conversations, many reflected on the immense legacy of the hospital and its role in strengthening bonds across communities.
“We’re not just here for a photo op,” said one Governor. “We’re here because this story is Canada’s story — of community, generosity, and healing.”
🚑 The Hidden Engine: Transport & Lodging
Behind every successful surgery is a journey — often long, sometimes daunting, and always carefully coordinated. Helen Kastanis, Manager of Social Services, Nutrition, Psychology, and Transport & Lodging, outlined the astonishing logistics behind every patient’s arrival in Montreal.
In 2024 alone:
1,365 local trips for patients
185 airport pickups
20,000+ kilometres driven by volunteer and hospital drivers
2,000+ hotel room nights booked at the Nouvel Hôtel
$11,000+ in transport costs saved
$4,000 in emergency ambulance use when required
“From the moment a child is referred, we make sure the whole process is as seamless and comforting as possible,” Kastanis said. “It’s about more than transportation — it’s about trust.”
She added that first-time visits are often deeply emotional:
“Families walk into our office and cry — not out of fear, but out of relief. Because they finally feel seen, safe, and supported.”
Kastanis also highlighted the unique cultural and linguistic considerations of working with patients from diverse regions, including northern Indigenous communities, where trust-building can take months but leads to long-term positive outcomes. Volunteers are trained to meet patients with empathy and sensitivity, sometimes traveling great distances to ensure patients and families feel cared for the moment they arrive.
🏥 A National Centre of Excellence
Marie-Annie Legacé, Acting Director of Nursing Services, shared the incredible growth and reach of Shriners Children’s Canada. When she began her career, the hospital saw roughly 14,000 annual patient visits. Today, that number has more than doubled to over 30,000.
Key facts:
1,500+ surgeries annually
Patients from 20+ countries and all 12 Canadian provinces/territories
14,000+ rehab interventions
Leading-edge Motion Analysis Centre for cerebral palsy and mobility challenges
Rapid-access genetic testing — often in weeks, not years
Telehealth for nursing, psychology, and nutrition
VR therapy and customized rehab programming to keep children engaged and hopeful
“We are more than a hospital,” Legacé said. “We are a national centre for healing, research, and innovation.”
She spoke movingly about moments when patients take their first steps again, or when a child with a spinal condition gains enough independence to return to school.
“Our teams don’t just treat — they celebrate progress, however small. Every inch of movement, every extra degree of flexibility, every smile — that’s a win.”
🧬 From Research to Real-World Results
The hospital continues to push the boundaries of pediatric care through:
Basic science research
Clinical trials with global partners
Canada’s only full-time Doctor of Nursing Science dedicated to pediatric care
Emphasis on knowledge translation — applying evidence to everyday care
The hospital’s patient experience scores continue to rank among the best in North America, with units earning Guardian of Excellence and Pinnacle of Excellence awards for consistent top-tier performance.
One breakthrough involved improving surgical protocols for hip dysplasia, reducing average recovery times and enabling quicker discharges. Another involved a pilot project for scoliosis treatment using dynamic braces monitored remotely — a game changer for rural and remote families.
💰 Numbers That Tell a Story
Chad Polito, Director of Philanthropy, reported a banner year in 2024:
$4.6 million raised (108% of target)
Nearly $10 million in total revenue (including estate gifts)
$2 million directly from Shrine Temples across Canada
Local impact:
$3.1 million has come from Al Shamal Shriners over the years
The Edmonton Ladies Auxiliary has contributed more than $500,000
The Daughters of the Nile donated a record $7 million nationally, with $500,000 in combined cash and in-kind donations in 2024 alone
No Clowning Around — Just Pure Heart. Members of the Al Shamal Clown Unit present a $5,000 cheque to Shriners Children’s Canada in support of the Red Sneaker Fund. Their gift is part of over $3.1 million in total contributions from the Al Shamal Shriners — a legacy of laughter, compassion, and unwavering commitment to kids.
“We simply couldn’t do this without the incredible support of Shriners and Ladies groups,” Polito said. “You are funding hope — and it’s working.”
Polito also shared a series of powerful anecdotes — each capturing not just moments, but the emotional truth of what philanthropy makes possible.
The story of a 95-year-old woman from Markham, Ontario, who became a monthly donor after seeing a late-night Shrine commercial. In her handwritten letter, she shared that her older brother had polio in the 1930s. Their family, new to Canada and without resources, could not afford the care he needed. Though he eventually recovered, she never forgot the look in her mother’s eyes — worry, helplessness, and hope. That memory, etched in her heart for over 80 years, led her to begin giving — each cheque a tribute to the brother she lost and the care she wished they’d had.
A gentleman who walked in from the streets of Montreal, disheveled, with a downturned gaze. He spoke little, but his hands shook as he signed the donation form. He handed over a sealed envelope and said, "This is because someone once believed in me." Inside was a cheque for $50,000. Later, Polito learned that the man had been treated at a Shriners hospital as a child for severe scoliosis. He went on to become a successful engineer but struggled with personal challenges in recent years. That day, he chose to return — not for help, but to give it.
And most memorably, the story of Alex, a two-year-old patient in traction, unable to sit up or walk for months. The only joy in his day came from watching construction cranes through the hospital window. The crew across the street noticed him waving daily. Touched by this small gesture, they arranged for a giant custom banner that read, “Hi Alex! Stay Strong!” and coordinated horn honks each morning. Nurses rearranged Alex’s bed so he could see the sign at all times. One day, he whispered, “They built that for me.” It became his motivation — and in time, Alex took his first steps.
“These aren’t just stories,” Polito emphasized. “They’re blueprints of impact. They show us how a hospital becomes a haven, how strangers become supporters, and how every act of giving echoes far beyond what we see. They are also reminders that healing doesn’t happen in isolation. It is community, creativity, and compassion"
🤹 Laughter, Legacy, and Generosity on Full Display
Al Shamal’s beloved Clown Unit brought joy and humour to the afternoon with surprise red nose presentations — culminating in a $5,000 donation to the Red Sneaker Fund, which supports pediatric prosthetics and rehabilitation.
They were followed by a wave of powerful philanthropic gestures:
🎁 $10,000 from the Arab Patrol
“We estimate our unit alone has donated over $250,000 to date,” said an Arab Patrol representative. “We’re proud of every dollar.”
🎁 $10,000 from the Provost Corps
🎁 $10,000 from the Patrol Arabs
💐 $12,000 from the Edmonton Ladies Auxiliary, presented earlier in the day
🌾 $3,000 from the Battle River Shrine Club
Each donor took a moment to share what inspired them. For the Patrol Arabs, it was the story of a local child who regained the ability to walk after six months of treatment. For the Provost Corps, it was about family legacy — several members had been treated at the Shrine hospitals as children.
📊 By the Numbers: Total Giving from June 19
Group/Unit | Donation Amount |
Edmonton Ladies Auxiliary | $12,000 |
Battle River Shrine Club | $3,000 |
Clown Unit (Red Sneaker Fund) | $5,000 |
Arab Patrol | $10,000 |
Provost Corps | $10,000 |
Patrol Arabs | $10,000 |
Total | $50,000 |
Each donation reflected not just generosity, but deep purpose — a shared belief that together, Shriners make miracles possible.
💡 EMVP in Action: A Living Model
The visit brought to life the EMVP Framework — Energy, Mentorship, Visibility, Purpose — embraced by many Masonic and Shrine leaders to guide organizational renewal.
Energy: From early morning Zooms to hands-on patient transport, this team showed up full of heart.
Mentorship: Staff like Helen Kastanis and Chad Polito shared their journeys as parents of former patients turned professionals.
Visibility: VR headsets, interactive hospital videos, and family stories showcased the mission at work.
Purpose: Every dollar, every kilometre, every hour — all directed toward helping kids thrive.
“The fez may be on our heads,” one Governor reflected, “but it is the children who wear the real crowns. They’re the heroes in this story.”
In fact, EMVP wasn’t just a concept — it was a living reality during this Centennial gathering.
🎥 Stories That Stay With You
The event concluded with a moving five-minute video showing what Shriners Children’s Canada truly represents. In it, children speak of regaining confidence. Parents express relief. Nurses and therapists share the joy of seeing progress.
“They’re not just caregivers — they’re human,” one mother said. “And they treat us like family.”
As the lights came up, board members lingered to reflect. “Every time I see that video, I think of someone new,” said Ari Hoeksema. “This is what purpose feels like.”
🎉 A Centennial for the Ages
The day’s final thanks went to Denise Buhay, Al Shamal Shriners’ dedicated Administration Manager, whose behind-the-scenes coordination made the entire visit seamless and heartfelt. As she received a small gift and a warm embrace, a standing ovation followed — a fitting tribute to someone whose quiet leadership keeps the wheels of compassion turning.
As guests prepared to move to the Sherlock Holmes Pub for dinner, the sense of fellowship remained strong.
“We’re not billionaires,” one board member recalled responding to an inquisitive child. “But we’re rich in purpose — and that’s more than enough.”
From heartfelt speeches to joyful gifts, and from red noses to quiet tears, this Centennial moment brought to life a simple truth: when a community rallies for children, the future gets brighter — one step, one smile, one story at a time.
Comments