$20 million donation from philanthropist Emmanuelle Gattuso aims to bring joy and healing to children with serious illnesses

Campfire Circle, the Ontario-based charity dedicated to bringing joy and healing to children with serious illnesses, has received a transformative $20 million donation from philanthropist Emmanuelle Gattuso — one of the largest gifts in its history.

The contribution will power a bold expansion of the organization’s programs, allowing it to grow from serving 3,000 children each year to 10,000 by 2030. The funding will support two main initiatives: the expansion of Campfire Circle’s in-hospital programming across Ontario’s pediatric hospitals, and the construction of a new medically supported overnight camp in Prince Edward County.

For Gattuso, this gift reflects a deeply personal belief that every child, no matter their diagnosis, deserves the simple joy of play. “Camp gives kids the freedom to just be kids again,” she said. “With this gift, I want to make sure thousands more children can discover joy, adventure and connection, no matter what illness they’re facing.”

Campfire Circle, formerly known as Camp Ooch & Camp Trillium, has been a pillar of pediatric support in Ontario since 1983. Its programs bring play and social connection to children with cancer and other serious illnesses through year-round community activities, hospital partnerships, and residential camp experiences. The charity’s in-hospital programs currently operate at SickKids, McMaster Children’s Hospital, London Children’s Hospital, and CHEO in Ottawa, offering creative play and socialization to young patients at no cost.

The $20 million infusion comes at a crucial moment as Campfire Circle broadens its mission beyond children with cancer to include those living with chronic and life-altering conditions such as heart disease, blood disorders, sickle cell disease, and organ failure or transplants.

More than 40,000 children in Ontario live with such diagnoses, often facing social isolation and missing out on formative experiences that build resilience and confidence. The charity’s two existing overnight camps — one in Muskoka and another in Waterford — have reached capacity, underscoring the urgent need for expansion.

Alex Robertson, CEO of Campfire Circle, called Gattuso’s gift “extraordinary,” saying it will “help us expand our programs so more children can access critical play-based programs that were once out of reach.”

Gattuso’s philanthropy is characterized by bold, transformative giving in healthcare and social impact sectors. A cancer survivor herself, she has devoted much of her charitable focus to improving health outcomes and access to care.

Through her private foundation, La Fondation Emmanuelle Gattuso, she has supported a range of causes from cancer treatment to housing and restorative justice.

Her leadership in healthcare philanthropy was cemented in 2013 when she and her late husband, broadcasting pioneer Allan Slaight, donated $50 million to Toronto’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre — at the time, the largest private donation to cancer research in Canadian history.

She was also instrumental in creating the Gattuso Rapid Diagnostic Centre, a model initiative that drastically reduced wait times for cancer diagnoses.

Beyond the health sector, Gattuso’s foundation has extended its reach to social reintegration and community initiatives, such as a multi-year grant to Restorative Justice Housing Ontario, which provides transitional housing for former inmates.

Her philanthropy has earned her numerous distinctions, including appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada in 2018 for her leadership in health advocacy and commitment to underrepresented communities.

With this latest $20 million commitment, Gattuso continues to shape the landscape of Canadian philanthropy.

Her contribution will enable Campfire Circle not only to expand physical facilities and hospital outreach but also to build a sustainable foundation for growth — hiring specialized staff, enhancing medical capacity, and ensuring that programs remain free to families.

“When a child is diagnosed with a serious illness, so much of their childhood is put on pause,” Robertson said. “This gift will help bring back moments of normalcy, friendship, and laughter that are as essential to healing as any treatment.”

Gattuso hopes her gift will catalyze others to join the cause. In her words, “I hope this inspires more people to support Campfire Circle—because every child deserves to feel like a kid again.”

The donation stands as a defining moment in both Gattuso’s philanthropic legacy and Campfire Circle’s evolution, offering renewed hope and happiness to thousands of children and families across Ontario.