How This $6 Holiday Chocolate Bar Helps Kids In Hospitals Across Canada

For most children, the holidays are a season of wonder: sparkling lights, cozy movie nights and the anticipation of waking up to see what Santa’s laid under the tree. But for families spending the season in a hospital, the holidays can be a little quieter and a lot more uncertain. Days revolve around medical rounds rather than advent calendars. And for kids, big feelings surface fast, the biggest fear being, “What if Santa doesn’t know where to find me?”

This common question inspired Purdys Chocolatier to create the Dear Santa Bar, now a beloved holiday tradition entering its seventh year. The bar itself is delectably festive—creamy milk chocolate studded with crunchy salted toffee bits—but its purpose reaches far beyond a sweet treat.

For every $6 bar purchased, $2 is donated directly to a Canadian children’s hospital foundation in the region where it’s bought or shipped to. Since 2019, these bars have helped raise more than $1.4 million, supporting kids and families navigating medical care during the holidays.

Small purchase, big impact

By spreading awareness and raising funds, Purdys Chocolatier strategized to help ensure kids didn’t lose the core memories of their childhood.

In Edmonton, where the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation supports thousands of young patients, the Dear Santa campaign has helped strengthen such Child Life programs as music therapy, playroom activity nights and holiday celebrations. Katherine Sweet, VP of external relations and communications, notes that these programs help ensure that " kids can still be kids, even while they’re in the hospital."

In Toronto, the partnership is just as meaningful. “Partnerships like this are essential to SickKids, not only for raising funds but also for building awareness and engaging the community in support of children’s health,” says Stacey Robinson, director of corporate partnerships and activation at SickKids Foundation. “We are so grateful for the continued support of Purdys Chocolatier, whose annual Dear Santa campaign has become something we look forward to every year.”

In Ottawa, the sentiment echoes. Steve Read, president and CEO of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Foundation, says the program does more than raise money. “It not only raises crucial funds to help provide the best possible care to the kids and families who rely on CHEO, but does so in the sweetest way, capturing the imagination and magic of the holidays through the eyes of a child.”

The children at the heart of the campaign

Navy, BC Children’s Hospital, British Columbia
At just two years old, Navy was diagnosed with a life-threatening immune disorder. Her best chance at survival came through a bone marrow transplant, lovingly given by her older sister, Hallie.

Thanks to Hallie’s donated stem cells and the specialized care from BC Children’s Hospital, Navy received her transplant and is now looking forward to a healthy future. Donations from campaigns like Dear Santa help to ensure that children like Navy continue to receive the critical care they need, close to home.

Nash, Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, Saskatchewan
Nash’s medical journey began at just four months old, when café au lait spots on his skin led to a diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1, a condition that causes tumours to grow on nerve tissue. Six months ago, doctors at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon found a brain tumour. Despite undergoing six procedures, Nash remains asymptomatic and remarkably brave, especially when visiting his favourite space in the hospital, the Teammates for Kids Child Life Zone.

This zone provides patients and families a space for therapeutic play, learning and coping with the stress of hospitalization. “Every Dear Santa Bar purchase is more than a tasty treat. It is a symbol of care and kindness for Saskatchewan kids who need it most,” says Troy Davies, the CEO of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Nolan, The Hospital for Sick Children, Ontario
At just one year old, Nolan was diagnosed with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer. After multiple bone marrow transplants and intensive treatment at SickKids, he faced his third transplant with only a five per cent chance of survival and won.

Now four years old and in remission for more than a year, Nolan loves hockey and baking, and he just started his first year of school.

Jack, HSC Children’s Hospital, Manitoba
Jack and his twin brother, Jori, were born at just 26 weeks. Heartbreakingly, Jori passed away at six days old. In his first year, Jack underwent several life-saving surgeries at HSC Children’s Hospital to treat hydrocephalus.

Today, he lives with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy, but his joy is unmistakable. He loves collecting flags, flying kites and is known for his favourite saying: “I can do it!”

Leo, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Calgary
When Leo was born, a rapidly growing cyst began compressing his lungs. The Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team rushed him from Lethbridge to specialists at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, a trip that made his life-saving surgery possible.

Now a thriving little boy, Leo continues to grow stronger every day, and he never turns down a Purdys chocolate.

Giving back, made simple

Whether gifted to a teacher, tucked into a stocking or shared among friends, a Dear Santa Bar offers a small way to model generosity for kids and teach them that giving can be both fun and meaningful.

Last year alone, the campaign raised more than $365,000, helping hospital partners across Canada provide specialized care, essential support and joyful memories during a season that can otherwise feel heavy.

The Dear Santa Bar ($6) is available online at Purdys.com and in Purdys shops across Canada. Every bar purchased gives $2 to your regional children’s hospital foundation to help support families in your own community.