Sam has been living with an undiagnosed genetic syndrome. From multile genetics tests to procedures like strabismus correction, radiology with sedation, hip surgeries and the development of osteopenia and epilepsy, the care and support Sam and our family receives is unmatched. After a 10 year wait, Sam was officially diagnosed with ReNU syndrome in August 2025. Sam has been followed closely by Dr. Caluseriu in genetics since he was an infant in the NICU. This is a remarkable development and step for Sam’s family, and a testament to the importance of genetic research and testing.

At 10 weeks old, Marigold began showing signs of breathing trouble. She was struggling to breathe without extensive effort. Her family brought her into emergency, and she was admitted right away. At that time, doctors suspected a cold and discharged them five days later. They quickly returned but this time via ambulance. Marigold was immediately admitted to PICU on high flow oxygen, and she was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia. This began the family’s feeding journey.

Aubree was born 24 weeks and five days, weighing 680 grams. She had a long road filled with overcoming a PDA, brain bleed, surviving NEC, surgery, cardiac arrest, multiple infections and, of course, needing to grow. Her family still uses the Stollery today for her follow-ups and when she gets sick requiring additional support.

Jace’s family knew he would be born with a kidney condition, and at six weeks old, theyfound out his left kidney didn’t work. In June 2018, Jace was having fevers, not eating, not sleeping and complaining of pain in his tummy all the time. Urology tests didn’t show anything was wrong but they could see things weren’t good. Later that year, Jace’s parents approved a surgery to remove his kidney and ureter, not knowing if it would solve Jace’s health issues. Since his surgery, Jace has grown like a weed and is back to being his funny, silly self! Jace’s parents know surgery was the right choice for their son, and feel like to have the Stollery so close to home.

Sarah Butson is CEO of the Canadian Lung Association

Aaron Sutherland is vice president, pacific and western, Insurance Bureau of Canada

Gordon Osinski is a Professor in Earth and Planetary Science at Western University

Tasha Kheiriddin is a writer, commentator, speaker and strategic advisor

Marcus Kolga is the founder of DisInfo Watch dot org and a senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute's Centre for Advancing Canada's Interests Abroad

Krystal Churcher is the chair of the Association of Alberta Childcare Entrepreneurs

Bryce McRae managed stakeholder relations for Pierre Poilievre through the recent federal election and is now a senior consultant with Summa Strategies

Gerard Kennedy, the associate dean of the University of Alberta’s law faculty

Simon Lewsen writes for Maclean's, Toronto Life, and Report on Business. He teaches at the University of Toronto

Mike Hager is a reporter at the B.C. Bureau with The Globe and Mail

Dennis McConaghy is a former executive vice president at TransCanada Corp., now TC energy, and has published three books including Carbon Change: Canada on the Brink of Decarbonization

Brian Kingston is the president of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association

Jeff Mahon is the director of geopolitical and international business advisory at the consulting firm StrategyCorp. He previously served as deputy director at Global Affairs Canada's China Division

Linda Besner is an award-winning journalist whose work has appeared in the Guardian, The Atlantic, Maclean's and The Globe and Mail. Her most recent book if the poetry collection Feel Happier in Nine Seconds

Dan Jones, retired EPS member (spent time with the gang’s unit and homicide team), chair of justice studies, NorQuest College

Tegan Hill is the director of Alberta Policy with the Fraser Institute

Emre Erkmen is an assistant professor of building, civil and environmental engineering at Concordia University