In Memory of Ella Duez

By Pierre Duez

Supporting Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy

Please help us support SickKids Foundation in memory of Ella. 

Ella was diagnosed with a degenerative disease at 6 months, and spent much of her life at SickKids, where she touched many lives with her infectious joy, her cheerful stubbornness, and her  great love of slapstick. During her admissions, she made many, many friends, convinced more than one person to learn a full repertoire of Disney songs, made mountains of art, googly-eyed her hospital room, and somehow got herself (unofficially) named the Prank Master of SickKids. Her birthdays at SickKids were epic. So were many other days (especially if they ended in "-day".) 

Ella received weekly -- and sometimes more than weekly -- visits from the Creative Arts Therapy, including art therapy, music therapy, and the clowns. The Child Life Specialists made sure that Ella had a steady stream of visitors to play with her, read to her, or otherwise help in her many shenanigans. They also kept her supplied in craft kits, which was sometimes a heroic endeavour. The visits from her therapists, Child Life Specialists and volunteers were always the highlight of her day.  

So, while we are very grateful for the excellent medical care that Ella received at SickKids, we feel that it would be most apt to give back to the two parts of SickKids that gave Ella such joy and brightened up all of her days at SickKids. We have therefore directed the funds raised in Ella's memory to Creative Arts Therapy and Child Life at Sickkids, to support their continued work. 

Thank you for your support. 

My Achievements

Fundraising page

Updated Profile Pic

Added a Blog Post

Received 5 Donations

Reached Goal

Increased Target

Thank you to my Supporters

$1,000

Dingeldein/hutchison Family

Ella was a stong, determined little girl, who despite her debilitating condition charmed all who had the privilege to spend time with her -- a spirit to be remembered.

$1,000

Rosemarie Mccutcheon

In honour of Ella's life and in support of her family.

$500

Aviva, Eden, Brandon Michael, And Eitan

Sending you hugs and love, and wishing your family all the best.

$500

Hiro, Maya, Yuki, And Yvan Bourdeau

$500

Anonymous

$500

James Wells & Hwei Shien Chang

$500

Michal, Anne & Maddie

Thinking of you!

$500

Cara, Yuval, Noah And Joshua

$500

Chen-melzer Family

$500

Marcus, Liv And Leif

$500

Ryan Lilien

$400

Jennifer Simpson

Dear Pierre, Martha, and Claire, We are deeply sorry for your loss. Our love and strength are with you and our hearts are with Ella - somewhere over the rainbow. Much love, Jenny, Joe, and Cleo

$370

Ho Hum Family

$300

Eric Meschke

In Memory of Ella--From the Meschke family.

$300

Aaron And Diana

Thinking of you and your family.

$300

Jennifer Kwok & Ka Lun Tam

$250

Matthew Barrett

$250

Sally Holton

$250

Anonymous

$250

Monika G

Thinking of you all ❤️

$250

Bobby, Mandy, Vivian, And Hazel

$200

John And Kathleen Hoicka

$200

Mary Fallah

Ella’s life was filled with love, and her memory will continue to shine. Thinking of you and your family, Pierre.

$200

Sophie, Meghann, Wei And Marie

In memory of Ella

$200

Fanny Hotzé

Sending you love ❤️

$150

Anonymous

$150

Anonymous

Nico will always remember her friend Ella

$108

Jen, Ilan, Leo And Gabi

$100

Linda Gehrke

To Ella's family and friends: Ella sounds like she was such a wonderful person. I hope her pranks and passions continue to comfort and inspire you. My sincere condolences and deepest sympathy, Linda Gehrke

$100

Christina Huras

$100

Kayla Seyler

My deepest condolences Martha and family.

$100

Thomas Nantais

$100

Kham & Tu My

$100

Kevin Wong

$100

Anonymous

$100

Sarah Schumacher

My condolences Martha.

$100

Amanda Martyn

$100

Anonymous

Thinking of you all and celebrating the incredible life of a wonderful little girl ♥️. All our love and prayers.

$100

Robin Rix

$100

Leonora Hoicka & Steve Mccann

Pierre, Martha and family, our deepest condolences for your heart-breaking loss.

$100

Marvin Wong

$100

Kathryn English

Love to you all during this difficult time.

$100

Ruth Simpson

$100

Mena Falcone

$100

Anonymous

In hopes of spreading joy to other children, as much as it did to Ella

$100

Sean Ryan

$100

Maya And Mariana

$100

Karen Jacques

Our deepest sympathies to Martha and family. Ella sounds like a beautiful and fun soul. This is a lovely tribute.

$100

Zoe Agnidis

$100

Elinor Ireland

$100

Kristen Soden

$100

Samantha Morris Mastai

We are so deeply sorry for your loss. Thinking of you, Sam, Elan, Bea & Franny

$100

Mary Ferrari

$100

Ramon Andal

$100

Julia Noble

My deepest sympathy.

$100

Carmine Sacco

$100

The Caldwell Partners International

$100

Kenna

Pierre, Martha and Claire, Ella was such a joy to so many including myself. I can only imagine how much you miss her, but your memories of her will last a lifetime.

$100

Anonymous

$100

Marlene Kesler

May the memory of your little Prank Master continue to bring joy to you and all who were blessed to know her ♥

$100

Julie Conway

$100

Todd & Cindy Weller

We wish your peace, healing and good memories as your move forward. Happy to donate in Ella’s name to bring comfort to others. Hugs.

$100

Erin Barkel

$100

Brian Cheung

In memory of the joy and love that Ella brought to your family and others. I'm so sorry for your loss.

$100

Clarice Hui Mackenzie And Emerson

$100

Heather Daley

$75

Karolina Urban And Family

May Ella’s memory live on through the programs she cherished and in the hearts of the families she touched.

$60

James Steele

$50

Claudia D'angelo

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

$50

Victoria Pearson Cooper

In memory of Ella and with love the to the whole Lai-Duez family from Victoria, Bruce, and Charlotte

$50

Christine Haley

$50

Leigh Scholl

Your family is in my thoughts today, on Ella's 12th birthday.

$50

Emilie A.

$50

Leslie Ordal And Ben Zhu

$50

Claudine Salama

To Martha Lai's family - I am so very sorry for your loss. !

$50

Nicole Bisson

$50

Chrisa Hoicka

Love 💖 and strength.

$50

Leslie Mumford

Happy Birthday Ella ❤️

$50

Lawrence And Cecelia

$50

Deanna Castrucci

I am so sorry for your loss.

$25

J-s

$25

Rana Barnett

My sincere condolences to you and your family.

$25

Wendy Kay

Ella will always hold a very special place in my heart.

$25

Rhia Perkins

My heart is breaking for all of you.

$25

Jill Duncan

All of my love, always ❤️

$25

Dave Thomson

$25

Agnieszka Kosny

a great cause to remember Ella

$25

Anonymous

Thoughts and prayers for your family xoxo

$25

Vanessa Armstrong

May your memories of Ella give you comfort.

$25

André Durette

$25

Akezia Jainaraine

$25

Ken

$25

Jennifer Iaboni

May you find comfort in the love and memories you shared with Ella.

$20

Shauna Macgregor

I'm so sorry for your loss.