When a child is diagnosed with a serious illness, the day-to-day joys of childhood take a back seat to the rigors of treatment and hospitalization. For more than 20 years, Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses and life-altering injuries by providing entertainment, education and family activities that help them cope with the pain, fear and isolation of prolonged illness. We understand what families go through when a child is sick, and how important it is to find relief from constant worry and isolation. Our programs have been proven to distract children from their pain, help them better understand and manage their illnesses, and connect families with others facing similar challenges so that no one feels alone. Unlike any other charity, Starlight offers a comprehensive menu of outpatient, hospital-based and web offerings that enable us to provide ongoing support for children and families — from diagnosis through the entire course of medical treatment. Programs include:

• Starlight In-Hospital Programs – From creativity kits and interactive stations to toy-filled playrooms, Starlight offers a comprehensive menu of in-hospital programs that bring fun, joy and giggles right where they’re needed most.
  
  
• Starlight Out-of-Hospital Programs – Whether it’s a trip to the zoo or an action-packed sporting event, Starlight’s out-of-hospital programs enable families to enjoy all of the excitement, laughs and fun of a family outing when a brief getaway from the hospital is just what the doctor ordered.
  
  
• Online Resources – Starlight has developed a series of multi-media programming to help children understand their illnesses and connect with others who share similar experiences.

Research studies have found that Starlight’s programs help reduce children’s pain while helping them to better deal with, understand and manage their illnesses. In addition, Starlight programs help the child, parents and siblings experience less depression, anxiety, pain and isolation, and help them bond as a family.
The way we see it, while researchers look for cures and doctors work to restore a child's health, Starlight works to restore the entire family's spirits. We invite you to be a part of the growing Starlight network of supporters who are making a difference in the lives of children and families suffering through childhood illness.

Imagine Canada Ethical Code Program

Starlight places a high value on our relationship with our donors. Without your support we would not be able to achieve our mission to enhance the lives of seriously ill children and their families. We believe that transparency and accountability are essential to our success and with this in mind, we are a member of Imagine Canada's Ethical Code Program.

The Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accountability Code lays out a set of standards for charitable organizations to manage and report their financial affairs responsibility. By adhering to these standards, we are complying with generally accepted practices for soliciting and managing donor dollars. This is important because everyone involved with the Starlight Children's Foundation is entitled to transparency and the greatest impact possible for your investment in us.

You can also download the Ethical Code Guidelines.