Eluin Oudhoff named 2025 CHEO Champion to advocate for pediatric mental health

Eluin Oudhoff has been named this year’s CHEO champion. They are sharing their journey and raising awareness about mental health. CTV’s Tyler Fleming reports.

Eluin Oudhoff has been named the 2025 CHEO Champion. Over the next year, Eluin will attend various events and advocate for pediatric healthcare while sharing their personal journey.

“There are so many people out there that don’t know how to ask for help or won’t ask for help,” said Eluin. “There was a while where I didn’t want to be on this planet anymore.”

The 13-year-old has struggled with anxiety for much of their life. But after moving to Canada, facing bullying at school, and losing a beloved pet, their mental health spiraled into crisis.

“I couldn’t deal with that,” Eluin shared. “But I was really lucky because I was able to talk to my parents about it and there were always my siblings too.”

Their mother, Roos Spanjers, turned to CHEO for help.

“The children’s Hospital has had a huge impact on our life not just for Eluin, but all four of my kids have been seen for different reasons,” said Spanjers. “Our experience has been one of such compassionate care, such knowledgeable care, the fact that they not only worked with Eluin but worked with us as a family, as well as gave me as a parent the tools to help support my child through what they were going through that has been phenomenal. It’s really inspiring to see that from such a dark and hard period in Eluin’s life. They’ve been able to transform that with the help of CHEO and also the CHEO Foundation.”

Eluin’s older siblings, Jura and Norion, also played a crucial role in their journey.

“It’s just so, so incredibly impressive and heartwarming as an older sibling, to see them being able to so openly share some of the darkest points in their lives to help other people,” said Jura. “They are such a cool little human.”

“Mental health has been given a forefront in this hospital setting because it is very often like an invisible disease,” added Norion.

Eluin steps into the role to represent all CHEO patients through the Children’s Miracle Network Champions Program, sponsored by Walmart Canada. The program honors children who show courage in overcoming medical challenges, highlighting the importance of pediatric hospitals and donor support.

“Eluin really represents a growing population of children and youth who are struggling with anxiety, eating disorders, depression, and various mental health challenges,” said CHEO president and CEO, Steve Read. “Eluin is going to do a great job of bringing some lights to the importance of child mental health.”

As part of their new role, Eluin will travel to Orlando, Florida, in April for Children’s Hospitals Week and receive a $500 Walmart shopping spree at the Barrhaven location in Ottawa.

Walmart Canada has been a long-time CHEO supporter, raising over $800,000 last year alone.

Outgoing CHEO Champion, Satima Diallo, is excited to pass the honour to Eluin.

“You’re representing a city and a hospital, and I’ve met Eluin before and I know they’re the perfect person for this job so I’m really happy for them,” said Diallo. “My biggest advice would just be: ‘Enjoy it.’”

Eluin also has a message for those struggling with their mental health.

“I know that it’s really hard for you, and I know that it’s really hard for your family,” they said. “And it is okay to ask for help and that you can get better.”