When Kellen Schleyer was a baby, the doctors advised his parents to prepare for the worst after he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Walking, talking and living independently were considered unlikely.

Today, the 23-year-old Ottawa man — while still managing his disability — has graduated from the social service worker program at Algonquin College, and has remained active through sledge hockey, skiing, rock climbing and national competitions in power wheelchair hockey.

The exemplar of grit shared his remarkable story at the CHEO Gala held November 20, 2024. The event, which raised $270,000, was held at the fully accessible National Gallery of Canada and presented by TD.

The evening was organized by a committee that included Caitlin Neil, CTV Ottawa Morning Live host Melissa Lamb, Mirabel Property Management owner Nik Lemieux, marketing expert  Susy Lee, Hana Alazem, a pediatric rehabilitation physician from CHEO Research Institute, Allison Capello and Natasha Macmillan.

Keynote speaker Kellen Schleyer at the CHEO Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Allison Capello, Hana Alazem, Natasha Macmillan, Emily Jamieson, Nik Lemieux, Melissa Lamb and Caitlyn Neil at the CHEO Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Kellen was lucky; his parents did “whatever they could” to help him beat the odds. “And I did, but we did not do it alone,” the young man said of the support from CHEO clinical staff, programs and specialized equipment. It hasn’t been easy; he’s endured 24 surgeries, rounds of serial castings and long recovery periods. His standing ovation was so well deserved.

Attendees included Ottawa Senators Hockey Club owner Michael Andlauer and his wife Lucie Andlauer. Two of the local minority owners, Fullscript co-founder and CEO Kyle Braatz and Claridge Homes vice president Neil Malhotra are co-chairing the largest fundraising campaign in CHEO history, along with Kyle’s wife, family law lawyer Rachel Braatz. The fundraising goal is $220 million.

Neil’s wife, Ainsley Malhotra, is board chair of CHEO Foundation.

The campaign cabinet includes Bank of Canada managing director (currency) Maureen Carroll, consultant Ryan Kelahear, Tiree president Mark LeBlanc, Ottawa Board of Trade board chair Brendan McGuinty and District Realty broker and vice president Charles Mirsky.

Brendan McGuinty, Mark LeBlanc, Ryan Kelahear, Rachel Braatz, Kyle Braatz, Neil Malhotra and Charles Mirsky (District Realty) at the CHEO Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips

CHEO Foundation president and CEO Steve Read on stage with live auctioneer Ryan Watson, from Raising the Bid, at the CHEO Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Jennifer Mulley (Shoppers Drug Mart), Leslie Feldman (Boyden), Jessica Greenberg (Osgoode Properties) and Danielle Simpson (CHEO) at the CHEO Gala.

Representatives from presenting sponsor TD Bank at the CHEO Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Angela Singhal (Richcraft), Kathryn Tremblay (Altis Recruitment), Natalie Raffoul (Brion Raffoul LLP) and Michelle Taggart (Tamarack Homes, Tartan Homes) at the CHEO Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, CHEO Foundation chair Ainsley Malhotra, Neil Malhotra (Claridge Homes), Louise Malhotra, Shawn Malhotra (Claridge Homes), Lucie Andlauer and Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer at the CHEO Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Bibbi Alfredsson, Laurel York, former Ottawa Senators player Jason York and former team captain Daniel Alfredsson, now an assistant coach with the team, at the CHEO Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Michael Naufal, Claire Leroux, Daelyn Ramsay and John Caminiti from executive search firm Boyden at the CHEO Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The CHEO Gala took place at the National Art Gallery on November 20, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips