Neo Chan may only be in Grade 8, but he’s already making a meaningful impact in healthcare spaces across Canada. As the founder and lead designer behind Medi Pals, Chan creates miniature 3D-printed medical model kits that attach to teddy bears, helping children better understand medical equipment and feel less afraid of hospital visits. Inspired by his older brother’s experience with chronic illness and the calming role of Child Life specialists, Neo turned a simple idea into a growing, family-run initiative that has now donated thousands of kits to hospitals and community organizations nationwide. In the interview below, he shares how Medi Pals began, how it has evolved, and how readers can help bring comfort and confidence to even more kids facing medical care.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Medi Pals is a family-run, community-led initiative that creates medical 3D-printed model kits for teddy bears to help children understand and feel less afraid of medical care. I design miniature medical 3D-printed models that attach to stuffed animals, allowing kids to learn through play. We donate these kits to hospitals, clinics, and family support organizations to support children facing medical procedures or chronic illness.
What problem does it aim to solve?
Medi Pals helps reduce fear, anxiety, and confusion that children often feel in medical settings. Many kids don’t understand what is happening to their bodies or what medical equipment is for, which can make hospital visits overwhelming. Our kits make medical care feel more familiar, approachable, and less scary.
When did you start/join it?
I started Medi Pals in 2025, when I was 12 years old.
What made you want to get involved?
I was inspired by my older brother Ethan’s hospital experience when he was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome as a child. Child Life specialists used dolls to explain his IVs, and I saw how much that helped him feel calmer and more in control. I wanted to create something similar so other kids could feel that same comfort.
What was the situation like when you started?
At the beginning, Medi Pals was just an idea and a few simple 3D-printable designs I made on my computer. We didn’t know if anyone outside our family would want them, and everything was done on a very small scale.
How has it changed since?
Medi Pals has grown into a full family project that has donated thousands of kits to hospitals and community organizations across Canada. Our designs have become more detailed and realistic, and we now receive feedback directly from healthcare teams and families to improve our kits. What started as a small idea is now helping kids of all ages feel more prepared for medical care.
What more needs to be done?
There is still a growing need for child-friendly medical education and emotional support tools in healthcare settings. We want to expand the types of medical 3D-printed model kits we offer, reach more hospitals and communities, and continue improving accessibility so more children can benefit.
How can our readers help?
Readers can help by spreading the word, supporting Medi Pals through donations or partnerships, and connecting us with hospitals, clinics, or community organizations that could benefit from the kits.
Do you have any events coming up?
We regularly coordinate kit donations and restocking with hospitals and community partners. Upcoming activities and announcements are shared through our website and social media.
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
Ronald McDonald House Charities is an organization we deeply admire. They provide housing, meals, and community support for families who need to stay close to their children while they receive medical care. Keeping families together during stressful hospital stays makes a huge difference for kids and parents alike, and we’re honoured that Medi Pals have been able to support families connected with Ronald McDonald House!
