Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba has announced eight-year-old Ireland Gault as Manitoba’s 2026 Champion Child — a role that will see the young Métis ambassador represent the more than 140,000 children who rely on HSC Children’s Hospital each year.
Ireland Gault, now eight, has been named Manitoba’s 2026 Champion Child and will help raise awareness and support for the children who rely on HSC Children’s Hospital each year
The moment was especially meaningful for Ireland’s family and friends, who gathered to cheer her on — a celebration made possible by a life-changing surgery she received as an infant.
Born in March 2017 to Courtney and Will Gault, Ireland appeared to be a healthy baby. But as part of Manitoba’s universal newborn hearing screening program, she did not pass her initial hearing test. Further assessments revealed she had profound hearing loss in both ears.
“There were so many unknowns, and we were very scared for Ireland’s future,” said her mother, Courtney.
At just 10 months old, Ireland became the youngest person in Manitoba to undergo bilateral cochlear implant surgery. The procedure, performed at HSC Children’s Hospital, allowed her access to sound during a critical stage of brain development.
“You’re letting go of your baby and trusting the process,” said her father, Will. “We’re grateful that she was able to receive this miraculous surgery in such a warm and welcoming environment.”
After a month of healing, Ireland’s implants — which she proudly calls her “ears” — were activated. For the first time, she heard her parents’ voices.
“The Children’s Hospital gave our daughter life-changing surgery and the ultimate gift of hearing,” Courtney said. “We went around the house turning on the water so she could hear it. We went outside to listen to the birds.”
Today, Ireland is an energetic Grade 3 student who loves gymnastics, singing and cheerleading. She is also a devoted big sister to Taylor. While she sometimes faces challenges hearing in busy environments, her implants have enabled her to develop speech and language skills alongside her peers.
Her early surgery has also helped change the standard of care in Manitoba. Since Ireland’s procedure in 2018, doctors at HSC Children’s Hospital have performed cochlear implant surgery on more than 80 children, with 12 of those procedures completed before the child’s first birthday. Previously, children typically received implants around 18 months of age.
“Our current treatment timeline for children identified with deafness at birth is to have them all implanted well before their first birthday,” said Dr. Darren Leitao, a pediatric otolaryngologist. “Starting with Ireland, we give children almost double the head start of listening and language at very critical times in brain development.”
As Manitoba’s Champion Child, Ireland will serve as an ambassador through the Champion program affiliated with Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations and Children’s Miracle Network. She and her family will attend events throughout the year to raise funds and awareness for Manitoba’s only children’s hospital and child health research initiatives.
“We are so excited to welcome Ireland to represent the 140,000 kids who need HSC Children’s Hospital each year,” said Stefano Grande, president and CEO of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba. “Ireland and her family are already making an impact, sharing their story to raise funds and awareness.”
Ireland’s family has marked her annual “hearing anniversary” by hosting fundraisers through Will’s business, Willy Dogs, in support of the foundation.
For Ireland, the message she hopes to share is simple: “Please help kids like me.”
