Roger Neilson House

The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) opened its doors in 1974, it served as the sole provider of pediatric palliative care services in our region. For 32 years palliative care and support was offered exclusively within the hospital setting.

Then, in 2003, inspired by the spirit and compassion of Roger Neilson, a much-respected member of their coaching staff, the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and its Foundation approached CHEO with an exciting vision to improve the quality of life for children and families going through the most difficult times imaginable.

The Ottawa Senators Foundation then set out to engage the community and raise the money necessary to bring this vision to life; a $5 million fundraising feat accomplished in less than two years after the passing of Roger Neilson.

The two organizations entered into a unique partnership in which the hospital’s palliative care team designed and developed new programs and a beautiful new facility was built to welcome children and families. Thus Roger Neilson House was born– an eight-bed pediatric residential hospice which offers compassionate care in collaboration with CHEO’s palliative care team. This amazing facility is located on the grounds at CHEO and provides a home-like environment to children who have a significant risk of dying before reaching adulthood.

When Roger Neilson House opened its doors in 2006, a new era began in the delivery of palliative care services with a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, social workers, therapists and support staff working together in a new state of the art, homelike setting designed with the entire family in mind.