Opération Enfant-Soleil will hold its 35th Telethon this Sunday, an edition that will focus on innovative projects that will help the organization fulfill its mission: to support sick children and their families in the healing process.

The event will currently be in a hybrid format at the Théâtre du Capitole, that is to say without an audience, but with the presence of several families, partners and many artists.

Despite the end of the pandemic approaching, it was wiser to do so, in connection with the more fragile health of several children.

"We had to make the decision a few weeks ago, and since the situation was still uncertain, we didn't take a chance," argues Jonathan Gendron, president and CEO of Opération Enfant Soleil.

This year, Opération Enfant-Soleil wants to focus on projects that stand out, to motivate donors to be generous.

“We want to highlight projects that are innovative and which, thanks to donations, we will be able to afford to support,” says Mr. Gendron.

He cites as an example the Montreal Children's Hospital, which has launched a project called "the smart hospital".

This research project, now in the implementation phase, aims to develop a wireless surveillance system.

“Babies are often plugged in everywhere. The goal is to remove all the wires to allow contact between the parent and the child, continues Mr. Gendron. It really has a major impact on how quickly the child will go through their healing journey.”

The organization hopes to surpass last year's record collection, which was $20.5 million. However, the economic context represents an additional challenge of which he is well aware. Mr. Gendron admits that some campaigns experience certain delays.

Focus on great stories

Beyond this difficult period, the organization prefers to rely on the beautiful stories of the children it helps.

Like that of Ryan Vachon, 18 months, survivor of congenital heart disease and suffering from trisomy 21.

At only two weeks of life, he was operated on in the cardiac surgery room financed by Opération Enfant Soleil.

"Everything went well, he's not supposed to need surgery anymore," said Ryan's mother, Josianne Turgeon.

From now on, the organization supports Ryan in his development with trisomy 21.

“Operation Enfant Soleil also donated to the intellectual disability rehabilitation center where Ryan is followed for his Down syndrome,” continues the mother.

This support is of great importance to Ryan's family.

“I had already given money, but needing them is something else. We are even more inclined to raise people's awareness. And us, it helps us a lot for the heart side. We see lots of people who are going through the same thing, who come to talk to us [and support us].