May 12, 2026, Victoria, BC
Make-A-Wish Canada has announced the launch of The Ryan Langford Award: Honouring Champions of the Healing Power of a Wish, a new national award made possible through a transformational gift from Drs. Robert and Barbara Langford in memory of their son. This annual award will recognize individuals from Canada’s healing and helping professions who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to supporting children and families navigating critical illness in partnership with Make-A-Wish Canada.
Each year, Make-A-Wish receives over 2,000 referrals for wishes from doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals across the country. Each wish is a personalized experience designed around a child’s interests to bring hope, strength and resilience to a child and their family while facing a critical illness. The health impact of a wish is supported by research: children who receive a wish are 2.5 times less likely to have an unplanned hospital visit and 1.9 times less likely to visit the emergency department in the two years following their wish. In 2025, Make-A-Wish Canada delivered 1,835 wishes to children in almost 700 communities across Canada.
The inaugural recipient is Suzanne Horn, a nurse clinician in pediatric oncology at BC Children’s Hospital. Over the course of her career, Horn has helped more than 1,000 children with critical illnesses access wishes by championing timely referrals to Make-A-Wish Canada for a wish as an essential part of their care.
Announced during National Nursing Week, this year’s award highlights the vital role nurses play in the care of children with critical illnesses in Canada.
“We were delighted that the first recipient award is Suzanne Horn, an outstanding clinician who for many years has brought comfort to thousands of sick children,” said Drs. Robert and Barbara Langford. “There is just not a better cause than to support these children by granting them wishes. It has been shown that these wishes support the children’s medical treatments by enhancing their chances for recovery. We feel honoured to be contributors to Make-A-Wish Canada.”
“Referring a child for a wish is an important part of how I provide holistic care to my patients,” said Suzanne Horn. “I’m honoured by this recognition, and I share it with the many people who have helped make those 1,000+ wishes possible through their support and partnership.”
“We are truly grateful for Robert and Barbara’s generosity in creating the Ryan Langford Award, which will help make a positive impact in the lives of children with critically illnesses across the country,” said Meaghan Stovel McKnight, Chief Executive Officer, Make-A-Wish Canada. “By connecting over 1,000 children with a wish, Suzanne has helped foster hope, resilience, and strength for children and their families. Her commitment reflects what many pediatric health care professionals see in practice: wishes are an important intervention that offers measurable health benefits, because Wishes Are Medicine.”
To learn more about The Ryan Langford Award or how healing and helping professionals can make wish referrals, visit: www.makeawish.ca/ryanlangfordaward
ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH® CANADA
Make-A-Wish Canada creates life-changing wishes for children diagnosed with critical illnesses. Wishes Are Medicine — a vital part of a child’s medical journey that helps restore strength, hope, and resilience. Research shows that prescribed wishes can improve adherence to treatment, reduce emergency room visits, and deliver lasting health benefits.
Make-A-Wish Canada is part of the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization, serving children in communities across Canada and in 50 countries worldwide. Over the past 43 years, Make-A-Wish Canada has granted more than 40,000 wishes, including 1,835 last year alone.
Recognized as a Great Place to Work® for three consecutive years, the organization was also named one of the Best Workplaces™ Led by Women in 2025 and one of the Top 100 Best Workplaces™ for Giving Back in 2024. Learn more at makeawish.ca.
