Family CARE Grant Provides Comfort for Children in the OR
Published Monday, July 13, 2026
OR staff (back row, L-R) Dave Vincent, Registered Nurse; Deb Everts, OR Team Leader and Registered Nurse; Laura Schafer, Registered Nurse; and Tom Tablowski, Registered Nurse, are pictured with members of the OR Paediatric Tour team and stuffed animals funded through the Foundation's Family CARE Grants program.
For children heading into surgery, even small comforts can make a big difference. Thanks to the Health Sciences Foundation's Family CARE Grants program, stuffed animals continue to help young patients feel calmer and safer before procedures at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
Family CARE (Care Advancement Recommended by Employees) Grants support ideas brought forward by frontline staff to help enhance patient and family care. Made possible through donor support and Thunder Bay 50/50 participants, the program helps fund smaller but meaningful items that bring comfort and compassion to patients during their hospital experience.
OR staff use the stuffed animals to comfort and distract children as they prepare for surgery, often turning the toys into playful “patients” first by placing masks or monitors on them before using the equipment on the child. Staff say the toys help reduce fear and anxiety in what can be an overwhelming environment for both children and their families.
“The children visibly calm down when they can focus on something comforting,” says Debra Everts, OR Team Leader. “Sometimes you can even see their heart rate go down on the monitor.”
Parents are often surprised and grateful for the thoughtful gesture, saying the stuffed animals help build trust and reassure them that their child is being cared for with compassion. Each child is able to take their new friend home, providing comfort long after their hospital visit ends.
Learn more about the innovative ideas funded through Family CARE Grants and how you can help support future projects at healthsciencesfoundation.ca/familycare.