SickKids Changed My Life”: An Airport Worker’s Story
Raising $10K in 10 days to support SickKids Hospital.
For 13 years, SickKids has been central to Kiel Lee’s world, as the hospital that continues to support his son through complex medical needs. “SickKids changed my life,” he says. “They made me a better person and a better parent.”
As a single parent balancing hospital care, school routines and his role as lead station attendant for Air Canada, Kiel has leaned on SickKids for everything from medical planning to emotional grounding. The hospital’s Complex Care listens, guides and ensures both father and son can live with stability and dignity. “They focus on my son’s medical care, but they also check on me,” Kiel explains. “If I have concerns at work or in the community, they help make sure our needs are met.”
Though the reality of ongoing medical care can be painful, Kiel finds strength in community and places like SickKids, and moments like returning home to see his son smile. “He’s happy. And that keeps me going.”
Bringing SickKids’ Values to Our Passengers
Working at Pearson gives Kiel a unique perspective that blends his lived experience with his operational expertise. He sees moments where awareness and compassion could dramatically change a family’s travel experience.
“I carry SickKids with me wherever I go. If something’s not right, I notice it - not to judge, but because I’ve lived it.”
Today, Pearson is leading the way in creating an airport experience that welcomes everyone. From improved accessibility features to travel rehearsals that help passengers gain confidence in navigating air travel, we’re building an environment where families feel supported.
Kiel, a 2025 Eye on Safety Recognition Award nominee, sees these changes making a real difference for parents traveling with children who have unique medical needs and looks forward to continued improvements to what we can offer every kind of traveler. Kiel would like to see things like sensory-friendly spaces, private areas for medical feeding and other needs and equipment for bigger kids in accessible washrooms.
“People are scared to travel with their kids. If we can show them the airport is ready – really ready – they'll feel safe.”
Above all, Kiel reminds us that whether at the airport or beyond, we should avoid making assumptions about another person’s medical needs and instead approach every situation with respect. As millions pass through our doors, we are only seeing a moment in their lives, not enough to apply labels that appear to fit at first glance.
“The airport welcomes everyone. We have to be ready for everyone.”
Thank you for helping us reach our goal
SickKids is a place that holds families up so they can live, work, travel and dream. From November 24 to December 3, we asked workers across the airport to help us raise $10,000 in 10 days to support the SickKids Foundation. Thanks to your generosity and the support of Toronto Pearson who matched donations, we reached our goal!
As Canada’s most research-intensive hospital SickKids is the largest centre dedicated to improving children’s health in the country. Every dollar we raise helps fund life-changing care, research and hope so they can grow up to become our new pilots, experience makers and operations crews.
“We’re not doing something small here,” says Kiel. “We’re opening a door.”
To learn more, reach out to the I Am Toronto Pearson team at info@iamtorontopearson.com.
