‘A priceless gift:’ Saskatchewan charity giving teddy bears to children in hospital

Kids staying in Saskatchewan hospitals are getting new roommates – stuffed animals from Teddy Bears Anonymous.

The Regina-based non-profit provides the furry friends to hospitals, paramedics and first-responder services throughout the province. Luke Lawrence, the organization’s president, said there are currently 21 hospitals and 45 ambulance services participating in the program, most of which are located in the Regina and Saskatoon area where demand is highest.

Teddy Bears Anonymous is currently marking its 15th year, and during that time 190,000 teddy bears have been given out to children in need.

These bears can’t be purchased right off the shelf. Lawrence said the bears provided to children are custom-made in a factory where they are sealed to ensure they remain sterile, and have been approved by the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Because of this, he said they can be given to children in an ambulance or at the hospital to provide a little bit of comfort.

The bears, Lawrence said, can even be taken into surgery.

“They go places that mom and dad can’t go. It calms children down,” he said.

“It’s a priceless gift to them.”

Last year, Lawrence said, Teddy Bears Anonymous introduced its Scrub Bear Line, which saw the charity donate 15,000 bears wearing green medical scrubs to children around the province throughout the year.

Lawrence said they are expecting to get another 15,000 bears on Thursday, and noted demand for the bears has skyrocketed with outbreaks of RSV, COVID-19, and influenza.

“It’s a scary, traumatic situation for children in the hospital,” Larwrence said.

Lawrence said it’s rare that anyone from the organization gets to meet those who receive the special gifts, but they do receive many grateful notes from both parents and children.

“That’s why we do what we do. It’s for the kids,” he said, adding it gives him comfort to know the gifts truly make a difference in the lives of sick children.

The project is near to Lawrence’s heart. He founded Teddy Bears Anonymous in memory of his daughter Erin Lawrence, who lost her life to a rare, hereditary form of cancer.

“Every bear that’s handed out has a special significance and meaning to myself and people that volunteer,” Lawrence said.

The non-profit is 100 per cent volunteer run, and Lawrence said he hopes to expand to more organizations in need of the bears.

“Hopefully the support will be there, because without that we can’t continue to expand our services throughout the province,” he said.

More information on Teddy Bears Anonymous can be found on their website.