Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario

The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) is a major university teaching children's hospital located at 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Canada (Tel (613) 737-7600). It is affiliated with The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa. The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario first opened its doors on May 17, 1974.

The Foundation
Long before the Hospital existed, a group of concerned citizens organized to raise funds for a bilingual health-care facility dedicated to the needs of children.

By 1972, this committee, later to become the Foundation, had raised more than $4 million. In 1974, CHEO opened its doors, thanks in large part to their fund-raising efforts.

The purpose of the Foundation is "to further the physical, mental and social well-being of children and their families in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec by raising, managing and disbursing funds." 

Recent history
During the Summer and Fall of 2004, CHEO helped save the life of 10-year-old Djamshid Popal from Afghanistan by diagnosing his heart valve condition, and then sending him on to the Hospital for Sick Children for further treatment. He was diagnosed in his hometown by a Canadian Forces medic, who felt he could receive treatment in Canada, and the hospital's doctors donated their time to diagnose his disease. Friends of the family in Hamilton, Ontario fundraised to pay for the boy's hospital expenses. 

The Max Keeping wing was recently opened, in honour of the CJOH-TV anchorman, who was a long-time Master of Ceremonies for CHEO's annual telethon on CJOH.