Patients travelling far from home for cancer treatment can feel isolated, but The Ottawa Hospital and Ottawa Senators are working together to help lift patients’ spirits and give them an experience they will never forget.

Generosity has no age limits. Six Ottawa children presented their $247.95 donation for breast cancer research at the Rose Ages Breast Health Centre. The neighbourhood friends found clever ways to raise money by raking leaves, cutting grass, selling lemonade, and shoveling snow.

For the past 18 years, Familiar Faces Engraving – a trophy shop in Ottawa – has quietly offered volunteer opportunities to people from The Ottawa Hospital’s Robin Easey Centre, who are recovering from brain injuries and looking to return to the workforce.

Marissa Lithopoulos has always had a passion for science. “My favourite show growing up was ‘Bill Nye the Science Guy.’ I knew I wanted to be just like him one day.” She began delivering hands-on science activities in classrooms as part of the Let’s Talk Science outreach program in 2014 and has been hooked ever since.

Building a new, modern health and research centre in the heart of Ottawa is about health care and about the community. A key part of involving the public is creating the new Campus Engagement Group, which met for the first time in May to take a deep dive into the issues most important to the public.

Extensive research consistently finds positive connections between mental health, experiencing nature and taking breaks outdoors. That’s why The Ottawa Hospital’s new campus will have space for gardens, walking paths and contemplative areas – for patients and staff.