For Lisa Doerksen, getting her son Oakley to the care he needs has never been simple. Born
with a rare condition called Codas Syndrome – one with just a two per cent
survival rate – Oakley’s journey began long before he entered the world.
Today, at five years old, he continues to face complex medical challenges, from hearing loss and vision issues to ongoing care for a rare bone condition.
But through it all, one thing has remained constant: the need to travel.
Living in Leamington, Oakley and his family make frequent trips to Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre several times a month. More recently, their journey has extended even further, with regular visits to Montreal for specialized treatment.
“Travel has always been one of the hardest parts of Oakley’s care,” says Lisa.
“When you’re already navigating appointments, diagnoses and the unknown, the added stress of long drives, weather, and costs can feel overwhelming.”
That’s why a new partnership between Children’s Health Foundation and VIA Rail Canada means so much to families like hers.
As the first partnership of its kind in Canada, this initiative will provide complimentary train travel for children and their caregivers who are patients of Children’s Hospital, LHSC needing to travel for specialized medical care.
For Lisa, the impact is immediate.
“Being able to take the train instead of driving will give us peace of mind and allows us to arrive feeling more prepared and less exhausted,” she says. “It means we can focus on Oakley and his appointments, instead of worrying about the journey to get there.”
Children’s Hospital in London serves families from across Western Ontario, including many from Windsor-Essex, where access to specialized paediatric care often requires long-distance travel. For these families, the cost, time, and stress of getting to appointments can quickly add up.
This new program helps remove that burden – making it easier for children to get to the care they need, when they need it.
“This partnership represents more than transportation – it represents access, equity, and compassion,” says Tim Tribe, Vice President of Philanthropy at Children’s Health Foundation.
“When families don’t have to worry about how they’ll get to care, it changes everything.”
Made possible through a three-year commitment from VIA Rail Canada, the program reflects a shared commitment to supporting families through every step of their journey.
“Every family’s journey is different, but when a child needs care, getting there should never add to the weight they already carry,” says Philippe Normand, Vice-President, Communications and Marketing, VIA Rail Canada.
For Lisa and Oakley, that support means something simple – but powerful: a little less stress, and a little more focus on what matters most.
More information on this initiative can be found by reaching the Paediatric Family Resource Centre at Children’s Hospital – pfrc@lhsc.on.ca
Celine Zadorsky
Director, Marketing & Communications
czadorsky@childhealth.ca
