Posted:Â April 28, 2026
For most patients, pathology happens behind closed doors—microscopes, slides, and diagnoses delivered at a distance from the people whose lives they affect. The  is changing that.
Created by (BSc’02, PhD’07, MD’11, PGM’15) at the IWK Health Centre, The CELLFiE Project is the first pediatric patient-centred pathology program of its kind. Launched in 2022, the initiative invites children and families into the laboratory to see their own cells under the microscope and learn, in clear and supportive language, what is happening inside their bodies. What began with children diagnosed with leukemia has grown into a broader program serving patients with solid tumours, sickle cell disease, needle phobia, and youth in care.
At its core, The CELLFiE Project aims to transform fear into understanding. By making disease visible, the program helps children feel more informed, empowered, and engaged in their care. Families often report that seeing the cells themselves—sometimes for the first time—turns an abstract diagnosis into something tangible and understandable.
CELLFiE is also grounded in research. A dedicated research program is studying how patient-centred pathology influences understanding, anxiety, and engagement, helping the initiative evolve based on evidence and patient feedback. These findings will guide future development and support expansion to other centers.
To reach more patients and families, the team is now developing an online platform that will extend The CELLFiE Project beyond the laboratory walls. This digital expansion will allow more children to explore their cells and learn about disease, regardless of geography.
The growth of The CELLFiE Project has been made possible in large part through generous fundraising support from the IWK Foundation and community donors. Their commitment has helped transform an innovative idea into a program that is redefining how pathology connects with patients.
By opening the lab doors, The CELLFiE Project is showing that pathology is not just about diagnosis—it is about understanding, empowerment, and care.
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