This year, the Capitale-Nationale region receives more than $5.4 million to improve the care journey and overall health of children in the region.
Enfant Soleil helps more than 100 healthcare facilities across the province and provides invaluable support to the four major pediatric centres, which give specialized and sub-specialized care to any child who needs it.
Lumière sur plusieurs projets qui annoncent du beau à l’horizon
Centre mère-enfant Soleil (CMES) du CHU de Québec-Université Laval
As a specialized pediatric centre serving the greater Québec City area and the entire eastern part of the province, CMES has benefited from major annual support from Enfant Soleil since 1988. This year, this contribution is setting a new record: $5.3 million to improve and enhance the care provided to the more than 67,000 children and adolescents who are treated at CMES each year.
This sum will be used to carry out several projects, including installing a 3 Tesla (3T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine. The addition of this machine, which was recently acquired thanks to Enfant Soleil’s funding, is an important step in a major project to roll out advanced pediatric neurosurgery at CMES, which also involves increasing pediatric intensive care. The 3T MRI scanner is revolutionizing medical imaging and makes the experience significantly less stressful by producing faster, more precise images. This state-of-the-art equipment ensures greater diagnostic accuracy and thus helps better direct treatment for children who are living with epilepsy or complex neurological conditions, or who have suffered a head injury.
Other projects funded this year include the forming of a complex pediatric care network team, a service that will help families navigate the healthcare system and follow-ups with several specialists and departments.
Centre de pédopsychiatrie Sacré-Cœur
Each year, 3,200 children and adolescents with complex mental health challenges are seen at this child psychiatry centre in Québec City. Enfant Soleil’s Sport and Sustainable Health Fund will be contributing $30,900 to integrate the LÜ digital play system in the gym, to turn physical activity into an interactive therapeutic tool. Through play, movement and collaboration, this technology helps children and adolescents channel their energy, develop social skills and experience rewarding wins.
Another $8,850 will be used to set up a therapeutic and motor skill activity room, to give adolescents hospitalized in the juvenile unit a place designed to help with emotional regulation, encourage engagement in care and build self-esteem. For these young people and their families, it provides a gentler, more motivating and hopeful path to well-being, combining care with a space for fun and growth.
Helping grown-ups improve young lives
Essential support for the entire pediatric ecosystem
Discover other projects funded in the region
1 set of audiology instruments
- The different audiology instruments, such as a tympanometer and a tool for assessing balance disorders linked to deafness, will improve and enhance the assessment and management of hearing problems in young patients.
Sensory materials
- Calming materials, such as a fibre optic carpet and a sensory light table, will allow nearly 200 children each year to experience moments of tranquility during their respite or end-of-life stays.
*These projects are financed by the Sport and Sustainable Health Fund, which aims to promote and support healthy lifestyle habits in children through sports, physical activity and healthy eating while also fostering emotional and mental well-being.
Cooking workshop equipment
- Families with children ages three to five will be able to attend practical and safe cooking workshops at the community centre. Both educational and rewarding, this activity fosters creativity, curiosity and the joy of learning in the budding chefs while building their autonomy, developing their fine motor skills and encouraging healthy eating habits.
*These projects are financed by the Sport and Sustainable Health Fund, which aims to promote and support healthy lifestyle habits in children through sports, physical activity and healthy eating while also fostering emotional and mental well-being.
Clara Chantal-Vignault, Enfant Soleil for the Capitale-Nationale region
Clara and her family are brilliant ambassadors who courageously share their story and reality.
At age 9, Clara started getting tired faster and experiencing pain that gradually affected her daily life. After many tests, doctors diagnosed her with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), a rare autoimmune disease that requires specialized care and close monitoring. Since then, Clara has been going to the Centre mère-enfant Soleil every month for an infusion that takes eight hours. Despite these tiring appointments, she continues to be passionate about dance. When she puts on her ballet slippers, Clara regains her lightness of spirit and her smile. In 2025, she faced a new challenge after being diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, which threatens her future as a dancer. But buoyed by the love of her family, Clara takes on each day with great sensitivity and quiet strength. “Your gifts and support are making a big difference in Clara’s life, and in ours, as her parents. We feel surrounded by a generous and caring community.” –Marie and Marie-Ève, Clara’s moms