Kids

Aradhana is 11 and lights up every room she’s in! She lives with muscular atrophy, which causes muscle weakness and means she needs help with her daily routines — but she never stops finding joy in life’s little moments. Music is her favourite, filling her days with big smiles! With Starlight, Aradhana gets that same feeling of joy and comfort, reminding her she’s always supported and never alone.

Meet Léa-Jade! She is 12 and lives with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and gastroparesis, which can cause pain and make daily life a bit tougher. She wears braces to support her joints and sometimes uses a wheelchair, but that doesn’t stop her from loving travel with her family or cheering at sporting events! With Starlight, Léa-Jade gets to enjoy those adventures even more and create memories that make her smile!

Meet Noah! Noah is 8 and was born with several heart defects. She’s already had eight surgeries, causing her to miss out on birthday parties and playing at the park. But Noah loves ballet, cheering for her favourite sports teams, and brings joy everywhere she goes. Thanks to Starlight, she gets to make amazing memories that keep her smiling!

Bennett is 14 and lives with cerebral palsy, which makes simple tasks like eating or drinking a little harder for him. But his love for hockey — his favourite sport — shines through no matter what! With Starlight, Bennett gets moments that feel as exciting as scoring the winning goal — filled with laughter, joy, and memories his whole family treasures.

Akshat is 9 and has a smile that lights up the room! He lives with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, which means he needs help with things like eating and moving, and uses a special eye-gaze device to “talk” to others. Even though his days look a bit different from other kids, Starlight is his happy place — where he’s always included and reminded just how brightly he can shine!

Hayden is 7 and loves going to concerts and theatre shows! Unlike other kids, much of Hayden’s childhood has been spent in the hospital getting treatments for a type of cancer called leukemia, which has kept him away from school, friends, and many of the fun moments kids look forward to. Thankfully, Starlight helps give Hayden those moments back — letting him laugh, play, and feel like a kid again!

4-year-old Leena is full of strength and smiles! When she was just one year old, she was diagnosed with a type of cancer called neuroblastoma, which meant spending much of her childhood in the hospital instead of at home. Since being sick means she’s missed out on playing outside, birthdays, and even holidays, Starlight helps her make memories and just have fun like other kids her age!

Qadim is 11 and loves basketball, football, and music! He was born with Angelman Syndrome and had his first surgery when he was just a baby. He now uses a g-tube to eat and sometimes a walker when he gets tired, but he’s full of kindness and loves making friends — even with his doctors! Starlight gives Qadim amazing moments to laugh, play, and just be a kid.

Raphaël loves all things cars and monster trucks! At just 3 years old, he lives with a genetic disease that makes it hard to breathe, swallow, and eat — things that might seem simple to other kids. But through Starlight, Raphaël gets to laugh, play, and enjoy the little moments that make childhood so special!

This is Peyton — she’s 9 years old and loves to be creative with music and arts and crafts! Living with cerebral palsy sometimes means she can’t always keep up with kids her age, but that doesn’t stop her from doing what she loves. And with Starlight by her side, Peyton knows she’s surrounded by people who cheer her on every step of the way!

Get to know Jessica! Jessica is 10 and lives with intestinal failure due to short bowel syndrome. She’s had more than twelve surgeries and spent lots of time in the hospital, which means she’s missed a lot of school days. But Jessica never lets that stop her from having fun! She loves singing along to her favourite songs and watching musicals with her family — and with Starlight, she gets to shine her brightest!

Meet 5-year-old Mateo, a true animal lover! He has a rare condition that means his bones can break easily, so he spends lots of time at the hospital to help keep him healthy. But that just means he’s one of the bravest kids you’ll ever meet – just like a lion! Thanks to Starlight, Mateo gets to take a break from hospitals and have fun like every kid deserves!

Meet Holly! Holly is 4 and lives with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. She uses a wheelchair or walker to get around and spends a lot of time at medical appointments. Even though her days are often busy with doctors and routines, Holly loves to have fun just like every other kid! Thanks to Starlight, Holly’s family gets to be part of inclusive events where they can laugh, play, and make happy memories together.

This is Cristiano! Cristiano is a 12-year-old rock star who loves concerts and sports. He was born with omphalocele, meaning some of his organs were outside his body, and spent 507 days in the hospital before going home. Even with a trach and feeding tube, Cristiano lives life to the fullest! Starlight helps him do what he loves most — just be a kid and make awesome memories with his family!

Meet Ava! She is 10 and was born with cystic fibrosis, a disease that mainly affects her lungs and digestive system. She’s had four surgeries, lots of hospital stays, and more medicine than she can count. Even on hard days, Ava’s smile shines bright! Starlight helps her feel like herself — not just a sick kid — with fun experiences that remind her how special she is!