Logan Hussein is not someone who takes “no” for an answer.
At birth, on November 26th, 2008, Logan struggled to breathe after being born with pneumothorax – a collapsed lung. But he pulled through, both through his innate determination and the miracle workers at CHEO.
The experience bonded Logan to CHEO for life, whereby he made it his mission to raise funds for the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), so every child will have a fighting chance.
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For Ginger Bertrand, some of her earliest childhood memories in Ottawa are centred around healthcare. “I grew up across the street from what was originally the General Hospital,” she explains,
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Of course, it stands to reason that a worldwide pandemic wouldn’t get in his way.
“This pandemic has been so hard, on so many people,” Logan says, who has dedicated every single one of his birthdays to raising funds for CHEO, rather than receive gifts. “Obviously, we haven’t been able to get people together the last couple of years. Funny enough, in a way, it has actually brought us closer together.
This November 26th, Logan’s Heroes Day will be back – a virtual fundraising event that has brought together friends, families, corporate partners, professional hockey players, and everyone in between.
Last year, the campaign raised a whopping $110,000 towards a new transport incubator for CHEO’s NICU, a lifesaving device that provides fragile babies a warm and safe environment with controlled airflow and openings for medical staff to care for them while in transit.
It is a piece of equipment needed so badly for CHEO, that the hospital has recently taken the leap and purchased it for the NICU.
With a price tag of $200,000, Logan is now more determined than ever to reach his fundraising goal and cover the cost of the incubator for CHEO.
“Raising the full $200,000 for CHEO is my dream,” he explains, “and last year it also felt like a dream with all the support I received from the community. We are so close and I know we can reach our goal this fall. Large and small, every donation helps.”
For Nicholson, helping Logan achieve his goal is personal.
“I first met Logan in 2019 when he won the Most Outstanding Youth Philanthropist at just 10. Like so many others, I was moved by his story of survival,” Nicholson says, who currently sits on the major gift committee at CHEO.
“Two of my six children also spent time in the NICU, so I have seen their incredible work first hand. They protect our city’s most vulnerable. I hope others will continue to join me in helping Logan realize his dream.”
On November 26th, Logan’s Heroes hopes to get over the finish line.
People will once again be invited to a full day of virtual entertainment and inspiring stories, including special appearances from Logan, CHEO, Kevin the Magician and other very special guests. Last year, Logan, an avid hockey fan, had the opportunity to interview Nick Paul, left winger on the Ottawa Senators, and Fredrik Claesson, a defenseman for the Tampa Bay Lightning. The party also featured appearances from NHL players Brady Tkachuck, Erik Karlsson and Cody Ceci.
Meanwhile, the Logan’s Heroes team will prepare 100 special gift bags for the first 100 donors to give $100 or more to the Logan’s Heroes Campaign, filled with an assortment of prizes and goodies to enjoy throughout the day.
While the pandemic has been a bump in the road, the Hussein family hopes to return to in-person parties next year.
CHEO’s NICU gave my son a quality of life he may never have if not for the professional care he received,” Logan’s mother, Sue, explains.
“I will focus all my future endeavors to supporting CHEO in any way. The annual fundraising that we do is from our hearts and passion for all the little ones in need in the NICU. Especially, now during these challenging times, it is more important than ever to support CHEO NICU.”
Logan’s Heroes has been supported by a long list of individuals and corporate partners, including Syntax Strategic, Virtually Fitness, Soloway Wright Lawyers, The Westeinde Group, Gabriel Pizza, Event Stream, Ottawa Business Journal, R-Cubed Design Forge, Loblaws, Mattamy Homes, Atomic Lavender and Lycee Claudel.
For a full list of supporters, to learn more about the Logan’s Heroes Campaign and to donate to CHEO, you can visit its website at logans-heroes.com
