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The Ryan Langford Award

Honouring Champions of the Healing Power of a Wish

The Ryan Langford Award: Honouring Champions of the Healing Power of a Wish is a national award made possible through a transformational gift from Drs. Robert and Barbara Langford in memory of their son. Launched in the spring of 2026, the award recognizes 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.

Award recipients recognize the role a wish can play in supporting a child’s health and well-being and refer eligible children to Make-A-Wish Canada — demonstrating exceptional commitment in providing holistic care as part of their profession. They exemplify compassion, leadership, and dedication to supporting children and families navigating critical illness.

Award Winners

2026 – Suzanne Horn

Nurse Clinician, Pediatric Oncology, BC Children’s Hospital

Suzanne Horn has helped ensure timely access to wishes for more than 1,000 children.

Award Eligibility Criteria

The Ryan Langford Award is open to individuals working in Canada’s healing and helping professions. Nominees must:

  • Work in a professional role supporting children with critical illnesses (e.g. nurse, physician, social worker, child life specialist, or another qualified member of a child’s medical team).
  • Actively facilitate wish referrals as part of their professional practice.
  • Show leadership in improving access to wishes within their setting.

The Healing Power of a Wish 

A wish is a personalized experience designed around a child’s interests to bring hope and strength while facing a critical illness.  

A growing number of health care professionals across Canada recognize the role a wish can play in supporting children and families — bringing hope, strength, and improved health outcomes. Research shows that wishes can have measurable impacts:

2.5X

Children who receive a wish are less likely to have an unplanned hospital visit

1.9X

Children who receive a wish are less likely to visit the emergency department within two years

100%

Children who receive a wish are of surveyed medical providers said a wish experience is a turning point in a child’s treatment

How to Become a Wish Referral Partner

Healthcare professionals play a critical role in identifying and referring eligible children for a wish. Make-A-Wish Canada can review referrals submitted by qualified members of a child’s medical team, including a nurse, physician, social worker, or child life specialist.

A child may be eligible for a wish if they:  

  • Are between the ages of 3 and 17
  • Have not received a wish from any wish-granting organization
  • Have a critical illness in a life-threatening stage, or with significant long-term complications
  • Meet one or more of the wish eligibility criteria.

How to Refer

  1. Review the wish eligibility criteria  
  2. Complete an online referral form 
  3. Make-A-Wish Canada will follow up (support available in English and French) 
  4. If eligible, the wish journey begins with the child and family  

Refer A Child

Questions

If you have any questions about eligibility or the referral process, contact: referachild@makeawish.ca or 1-888-822-9474