An original idea by
Main Partner
Goal: 575,000 lights
Children and families in the hospital need your help to make the 575,000 beacons of hope on the Tree of Lights shine.
Wishes of Hope
Send a few words of hope to the children and families who will be spending the holidays at Sainte-Justine this year.
Light the Way for Them
James: Lighting Up the World Around Him
James was born a few days after Christmas. He seemed to be the picture of health. But only a few months later, everything changed when he was diagnosed with a rare form of cystic fibrosis.
Three years afterward, his family was put through another emotional ordeal when the teams at Sainte-Justine found a five-centimetre tumour in James’s spinal cord, putting his motor function at risk. After a nine-hour operation, a first glimmer of hope emerged when nearly half of the tumour was removed.
James’ care involves the expertise of several teams at CHU Sainte-Justine, including those at the Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau du CHU Sainte-Justine, where he also receives treatment. Over the course of his hospital visits, the Tree of lights has become a comforting symbol of the generosity of thousands of people coming together for children and their families.
Mia: A Much-Awaited Holiday Homecoming
Last year, Mia was rushed to the Sainte-Justine emergency room a few days before Christmas, with a severe case of influenza. In only a few hours, her heart muscle became inflamed to a life-threatening degree.
The pediatric intensive care teams at Sainte-Justine, which your donations help support, provided round-the-clock care as Mia fought for her life.
After several weeks in the hospital and several months of rehabilitation, Mia is getting stronger. The determination she has shown in relearning everyday tasks is nothing short of remarkable.
She is looking forward to spending the holidays at home this year, surrounded by her family. A new light is now shining for Mia — one of hope for a bright future ahead.
Noah: Back in the Game
There’s one football game that stands out in Noah’s memory —the one where he collapsed a few seconds before the final whistle. His heart had stopped beating.
He was shocked three times and received close to 25 minutes of CPR. He was rushed to the hospital in Trois-Rivières and then transferred to Sainte-Justine, the province’s leading pediatric emergency, trauma and intensive care centre.
Remarkably, Noah made it through without any physical or neurological damage.
Doctors suspect a rare genetic condition that causes arrhythmias, but the underlying cause remains unknown. Genetic research offers hope of finding more answers. In the meantime, Noah continues to shine on the playing field. He is now protected by a subcutaneous defibrillator and a tailored medication regimen.
A Wish Granted: Mia and Her Magical Scar
Mia was born with a serious congenital heart defect known as tetralogy of Fallot. At only five months old, she underwent open-heart surgery at Sainte-Justine to close the hole between the ventricles in her heart and open up the pulmonary valve.
Now an active, confident nine-year-old, Mia likes to go bike-riding and mountain-climbing, dance up a storm and play baseball. She still gets regular check-ups from Sainte-Justine’s cardiology department, but it would seem her condition is no match for her indomitable spirit.
Mia believes there’s a special kind of magic in her scar — the same kind of magic that makes the lights on the Tree in front of Sainte-Justine glow for kids just like her. They are a reminder of how strong and resilient she has been, and just how far she has come.
The Magic of the Tree of Lights
The Sainte-Justine Tree of Lights has been a shining symbol of hope for the past 19 years
In November, thousands of students attending private schools in the FEEP network came together to raise money for the Sainte-Justine Youth Tree of Lights and make the base shine brighter than ever. Their enthusiasm helped build momentum for December’s province-wide initiative, the aim of which is to light up the Tree to the very top.
These lights bring hope and comfort to children and families who are forced to spend the holidays in the hospital. But their impact extends throughout the year, advancing maternity and pediatric care and supporting Sainte-Justine’s Social Services Department in providing emotional and financial assistance to parents facing the uncertainty and vulnerability of caring for a sick child.
Live TreeCam
Every day between December 1 and 11, 2025, be sure to check back as the Tree of Lights grows brighter and brighter! The daily results will be simulcast on Rythme FM, Monday through Thursday.
