Fashion Retailer and Canadian Charity Team Up to Bring Designer Hospital Gowns to Sick Children Over the Holidays

The Ardene Foundation and Starlight Children’s Foundation™ Canada bring the comfort and fashion of the WARD + ROBES program to over 100 Canadian hospitals

TORONTO, ON - This holiday season, the Ardene Foundation, the dedicated charity organization of fashion retailer Ardene, has pledged to bring Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada’s globally recognized WARD + ROBES program to over 100 hospitals across Canada. The Starlight Children’s Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to creating priceless smiles and memories to seriously ill children and their families. Its WARD + ROBES program is an initiative that provides stylish and unique hospital gowns to sick children, helping them feel more empowered while in the hospital.

The WARD + ROBES gowns, designed by Toronto fashion house Notion Mfg., are 100% Canadian-made, with fabric that exceeds hospital grade standards. Design features include pockets for monitors, four ties for full back coverage and access areas for IVs and ports. With over 20 ever-changing unique designs, the WARD + ROBES gowns are fashioned to cater to a variety of interests for hospitalized teens, one of the most underserved patient populations.

In 2016, Starlight Canada began offering WARD + ROBES to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in partnership with Rethink Canada. This year, Ardene Foundation’s significant contribution to the program will make the gowns available in hospitals across all 10 Canadian provinces, just in time for the holidays.

“The holidays are often seen as a time of celebration and cheer, however many of our Starlight children will be spending them within the confines of a hospital room, fearful for what the future may bring,” says Starlight Canada executive director Brian Bringolf. “WARD + ROBES help seriously ill children regain a sense of identity during uncertain times. Through the generous support of the Ardene Foundation, our Starlight kids can find a reason to smile through a particularly difficult and isolating hospitalization period.”

“Ardene and Starlight have worked together for several years, and we continue to be proud of our ongoing partnership. The [Ardene] Foundation’s goal is to fuel the dreams of future generations and shape a better world. By supporting the WARD + ROBES program, we hope to inspire a sense of confidence, joy, and hope for children and teens in need.” says Ardene Foundation Director Mark Dervishian.

Over the past five years, the Ardene Foundation has contributed over a million dollars for Starlight Canada’s in and out-of-hospital programming. Along with being the National Sponsor of Starlight Canada’s WARD + ROBES, Ardene annually sponsors a number of other Starlight initiatives including: the Starlight/Ardene Room at Montreal Children’s Hospital (a beautifully designed and fun-filled playroom, created to get kids through long, boring and scary hospital stays); Great Escapes Wishes (a variety of exclusive events, including screenings, harbour cruises, holiday parties, sporting events, picnics and more); Fun Centers (Internet-ready, sanitized, mobile entertainment units featuring a flat-screen, gaming system and digital games and movies for all ages) and fundraising events such as the Starlight Gala, Ski-A-Thon and Tea & Tiaras.

Also over the month of December, Ardene is conducting a nation-wide, in-store fundraising campaign, in which holiday shoppers can donate $1 at checkout to Starlight Canada’s WARD + ROBES program. To help support Ardene in their pledge to bring happiness to hospitalized children this holiday season, make a donation at one of their 300 Canadian locations: https://www.ardene.com/ca/en/stores/

About Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada

Starlight Children’s Foundation® Canada does what no medicine can do: create priceless smiles and memories for seriously ill children and their families. For over 30 years, Starlight Canada has been spreading joy to sick kids across the country through a unique blend of hospital to home programs designed for the whole family. With your help, together we can create more magic in-hospital, grant more wishes out-of-hospital and spread more sparkles across Canada!

You can keep up to date with Starlight smiles and support our mission by visiting www.starlightcanada.org, following us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and subscribing to our YouTube channel.

About Ardene

Ardene is the ultimate value fashion destination in North America and beyond. With 350+ stores in Canada, an expanding international presence, and a growing e-commerce business at ardene.com, the company is inspired by the ever-changing world of its customers. Ardene believes that fashion shouldn’t be exclusive or intimidating – it should be real, and it should be celebrated with youthful confidence and fearless enthusiasm. The company’s mission is to connect with customers by offering unique and inspiring fashion experiences at the best prices.

About Ardene Foundation

The Ardene Foundation is Ardene’s dedicated charity organization, committed to community initiatives and social responsibility. The Foundation’s mission is to inspire meaningful change in the realms of empowerment, poverty, education, and health by leveraging the strength of the Ardene community. Their ultimate goal is to make a positive local and global impact that improves lives and fuels the dreams of future generations.

Learn more about The Ardene Foundation by visiting www.ardenefoundation.org.

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