Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice Celebrates 20 Years of Compassionate Care

OTTAWA, ON – April 21, 2026 – Today, officially marks the 20th Anniversary of the opening of Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice (RNCH). While commemorative activities and messaging began in January, today marks two decades of compassionate, family-centred care for children with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

Since opening its doors on April 21, 2006, RNCH has supported infants, children, and youth from across Eastern Ontario, Western Quebec, and Nunavut. As one of Canada’s first pediatric residential hospices and the first in Ontario, the organization has become a leader in pediatric palliative care, providing support from diagnosis through end of life and into grief and bereavement.

A celebration at the hospice this morning brought together early supporters, original staff, donors, and community leaders to honour what many describe as “the home that love built.”

The event featured remarks from Megan Wright, CEO; Michelle Bouchard, Board Chair; Chad Schella, a friend of Roger Neilson who spearheaded the original project; Anna and Olivia Melnyk, daughters of the late Eugene Melnyk, former owner of the Ottawa Senators; A Family who has accessed services, Steve Read, President and CEO of the CHEO Foundation; and City of Ottawa Deputy Mayor Jeff Leiper. Also in attendance were members of the original building team, including the Morley Family of Morley Hopner, Jacqueline Belsito, President of the Senators Community Foundation, and Cyril Leeder, President and CEO of the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club.

“For 20 years, our hospice has been sustained and nurtured by the generosity, compassion, and love from this community,” said Megan Wright, CEO of Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. “This milestone is an opportunity to reflect on the families we have walked alongside, the children we have cared for and to honour the extraordinary community effort that created this home, and to thank the many partners who continue to ensure that no family faces a child’s serious illness alone.”

A Milestone Made Possible by Community

RNCH was built through a shared vision among healthcare leaders, donors, volunteers, and advocates who believed families needed a place of comfort, dignity, and hope.

Key founding and sustaining partners—including CHEO and the Ottawa Senators Foundation—along with many organizational and individual supporters, helped bring that vision to life and continue to sustain its work today.

“Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice represents the very best of what can happen when a community comes together with compassion and purpose,” said Jacqueline Belsito, President of the Senators Community Foundation. “We are incredibly proud to support the hospice as it celebrates 20 years of extraordinary care and looks ahead to the future.”

Cherished Lives, Lasting Legacies: A Full Circle of Care

Guided by its 20th anniversary theme, “Cherished Lives, Lasting Legacies,” RNCH provides a comprehensive range of programs that support the entire family—medically, emotionally, and socially—through every stage of a child’s journey.

Care is delivered in a warm, home-like environment where children can experience comfort and connection, and families can spend meaningful time together

Programs and Services include:

• Pediatric Palliative Care – Interdisciplinary care focused on quality of life, symptom management, and family support from diagnosis onward.
• Respite Care – Short-stay care that provides families with rest while children receive 24/7 specialized support.
• End-of-Life Care – Compassionate, family-centred care that supports dignity, comfort, and presence at end of life.
• Perinatal and Infant Support – Care for families facing a life-limiting diagnosis during pregnancy, birth, or early infancy.
• Grief and Bereavement Support – Counselling, peer support, and remembrance services for children, youth, and families.
• Children and Youth Bereavement Programs – Age-appropriate supports that help young people process grief and connect with peers.
• Sibling Support Programs – Dedicated, age-appropriate supports for siblings navigating grief and loss.
• Family Support and Therapeutic Services – Psychosocial care provided by social work, child life, and recreation therapy teams.
• Memory-Making and Legacy Activities – Meaningful opportunities for families to create keepsakes and honour their child’s life.

Recent Innovations:

• Young Grievers Camp – A weekend camp-based bereavement program, combining recreation with structured grief support in a safe, peer environment.
• Expanded Bereavement Programming – More integrated support for all young grievers, ensuring no child will grieve alone
• National Leadership in Pediatric Palliative Care – Leading efforts to ensure collaboration, education, and standards development across Canada, including support for Canada’s Pediatric Palliative Care Alliance.
• Bilingual Resource Development – Tools and resources that support equitable access to care in both official languages, developed through Canada’s Pediatric Palliative Care Alliance.
• Enhanced Hospice Spaces and Capacity – Facility and capacity improvements to better support families at every stage of care.
• Expanded Community Partnerships – Stronger integration with hospital and community partners to ensure continuity of care.

All services are provided at no cost to families, made possible through the generosity of donors, volunteers, and community partners.

Honouring the Legacy of Roger Neilson

This anniversary also pays tribute to Roger Neilson, a beloved NHL legend and former Ottawa Senators coach, whose kindness and generosity inspired the creation of the hospice. Though he passed away in 2003, Neilson’s values continue to guide the organization today. Known for his signature collection of ties and his deep commitment to helping others, his influence lives on through initiatives like the Tie Ambassador program. To mark this milestone year, the hospice has introduced a commemorative anniversary tie, inviting supporters to help raise awareness and carry forward his legacy.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, a large, family-friendly community event will take place at the Canadian Tire Centre in September, bringing together families, supporters, and partners to celebrate 20 years of care, compassion, and community.

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About Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice

For 20 years, Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice has provided pediatric palliative, respite, and bereavement support to children with life-limiting illnesses and their families. Its mission is to deliver compassionate, family-centred care that supports quality of life, dignity, and comfort for children and families throughout illness, death, and grief. At its core is a 10-bed pediatric residential hospice offering specialized support in a home-like setting.

Since opening in 2006 as one of the first pediatric residential hospices in Canada, it has supported thousands of families—offering comfort, dignity, and connection from diagnosis through end of life and beyond. Built through the generosity of the community, the hospice continues to rely on donor support to ensure all services are provided at no cost to families, today and for generations to come.

Media Contact:
Paula McCooey
(613) 728-8653
[email protected]