Discover our 2024 Annual Report

In 2024, you helped us transform the lives of young people facing illness, grief, and life’s toughest challenges.
Because of you, youth across Canada found connection, community, and hope through our secure, professionally guided online spaces—Upopolis, Grief Island, and On Common Grounds.

Thanks to your support last year:

• 550 youth received direct support through Upopolis, with a 60% increase in peer interactions.

• 97% of youth using the Wanderings Grief Journal said it helped them process emotions.

• We launched 6 new Common Grounds groups and expanded Upopolis “Islands” for grief, siblings, and young adult programs.

• Over 60 youth became peer mentors, turning their own challenges into a source of hope for others.

Every story, every connection, every moment of healing—you made it possible.

As we look ahead to 2025, we’re building on this momentum with four bold initiatives:

1. Expanding diagnosis-specific peer groups so more youth feel seen and supported.

2. Bringing Grief Island and the Wanderings Journal nationwide with new language options and outreach to underserved communities.

3. Re-engaging our healthcare referrer network to connect more youth in need to safe, supportive spaces.

4. Launching a dedicated Upopolis mobile app to make support accessible anytime, anywhere.

📄 We’ve captured the full story of your impact—and our vision for the future—in our 2024 Annual Report.
Please take a moment to read it and see the difference you’ve made.

2024 Annual Report

Together, we’re ensuring no young person has to face life’s hardest moments alone.

Thank you for being part of the KHLF and Upopolis family.

RBC Foundation Grants $50,000 to Help Expand Lifelines of Connection for Chronically Ill Youth

Toronto, ON – Kids’ Health Links Foundation (KHLF) is proud and grateful to announce it has received a $50,000 grant from the RBC Foundation to expand On Common Grounds, a critical peer support program for youth aged 13–23 living with chronic illnesses across Canada.

This one-year gift from RBC Foundation will help KHLF to bring On Common Grounds to more youth in rural, remote, and underserved communities, where access to emotional and social support is often limited or non-existent.

On Common Grounds provides online, diagnosis-specific support groups led by certified Child Life Specialists. Through creative workshops, themed conversations, and peer mentorship, the program creates a safe space for youth to connect with others who truly understand their journey—reducing isolation and building resilience.

“Young people living with chronic illnesses often feel like no one ‘gets it,’ especially when they’re far from the hospitals or support services found in major cities,” said Kim Henry, Executive Director of Kids’ Health Links Foundation. “Thanks to the incredible generosity of RBC Foundation, we can now offer more lifelines of connection to youth who need it most.”

Youth participants consistently report powerful emotional benefits. One teen shared, “For the first time, I didn’t have to explain what I was going through—everyone just got it. I finally felt like I belonged.”

This expansion also strengthens the bridge into KHLF’s larger Upopolis community, which connects over 550 youth annually and has helped more than 12,000 young people since 2007. With more youth relying on outpatient care and fewer chances to connect in person, programs like On Common Grounds are becoming essential to supporting their mental and emotional well-being.

“We’re honoured to receive this funding from RBC Foundation,” Henry added. “Together, we’re creating meaningful, lasting change—giving youth facing serious health challenges the connection, confidence, and community they deserve.”

To learn more about Kids’ Health Links Foundation, On Common Grounds and the broader Upopolis platform, visit www.kidshealthlinks.org or www.upopolis.ca

Media Contact:
Kim Henry
Executive Director, Kids’ Health Links Foundation
kim@kidshealthlinks.org
519-496-9999

Tuesday in Tuscany Fundraising Dinner Returns to Support Youth Facing Serious Health Challenges

Kids’ Health Links Foundation hosts an unforgettable evening on June 24 at Alioli Restaurante, presented by CPDN, to fund vital mental wellness programs for young people across Canada.

Mississauga, ON – May 7, 2025 – On June 24, join us for Tuesday in Tuscany, a powerful night of purpose and connection hosted at Alioli Restaurante in Mississauga. Organized by Kids’ Health Links Foundation (KHLF), this meaningful fundraising dinner—presented by CPDN (Canadian Pharmaceutical Distribution Network)—supports youth across Canada who are navigating life with chronic illness, medical trauma, or grief.

These young people often face their health journeys in isolation—missing school, friendships, and the support systems most take for granted. KHLF’s flagship program, Upopolis, offers a lifeline: a secure, supportive online platform where youth can connect with peers, access mental health resources, and feel understood.

“Every ticket purchased and every sponsorship secured directly impacts the life of a young person struggling with health challenges,” says Kim Henry, Executive Director of KHLF. “Tuesday in Tuscany isn’t just a dinner—it’s a chance to be part of someone’s healing journey.”

This intimate evening will feature:

• A multi-course Italian dining experience at Alioli Restaurante

• Powerful stories that show how your support transforms lives

• A chance to make a lasting impact on youth mental wellness

Tickets and sponsorships are available now—but space is limited.

Whether you attend as a guest or sponsor, your support helps youth facing health challenges build resilience, connection, and hope.

Reserve your seat or become a sponsor today:
www.kidshealthlinks.org/tuesday-in-tuscany-2024

For media inquiries or sponsorship information, contact:
Basile Papaevangelou | 647-880-3037

About Kids’ Health Links Foundation
Kids' Health Links Foundation empowers youth facing medical and emotional challenges by providing access to digital programs that foster connection, resilience, and mental wellness. Through Upopolis, youth across Canada can find strength and support when they need it most.

Kids’ Health Links Foundation Expands Board with Visionary Leaders

In a move that promises to enhance its mission and broaden its impact, the Kids’ Health Links Foundation (KHLF) is excited to announce the appointment of three exceptional new members to its Board of Directors: June Lutchman, Jennifer Starr, and Dov Mileevsky. This dynamic trio brings a wealth of experience, innovative thinking, and a heartfelt commitment to the well-being of children facing medical challenges. READ MORE