The sunlight filtered through the windows at the Calgary International Airport last Thursday, but it paled in comparison to the glow on 12-year-old Ethan Morrissey’s face. Diagnosed with leukemia three years ago, the young Calgarian never imagined his drawing of a “super-cool robot assistant” would become reality.
“I just wanted something that could help me reach stuff when I’m tired,” Ethan explained, his eyes never leaving the gleaming robot unveiled before him.
The surprise was months in the making. Make-A-Wish Southern Alberta partnered with engineering students from the University of Calgary to transform Ethan’s crayon sketch into “ECHO” – a functioning robotic helper designed specifically for days when treatment leaves him exhausted.
Sarah Templeton, Make-A-Wish coordinator for Southern Alberta, has organized dozens of wish fulfillments but says Ethan’s stood out. “Most kids ask for trips or meeting celebrities. Ethan wanted something to help him be more independent,” she told me as we watched the unveiling.
I’ve covered many community stories in my 15 years reporting in Calgary, but there was something uniquely poignant about this moment. The engineering students spent over 400 volunteer hours creating ECHO, working nights and weekends between classes to meet their deadline.
“We failed at least seven times,” laughed Daniel Kim, the team lead from U of C’s Schulich School of Engineering. “But Ethan’s story motivated us to keep trying. He’s been through so much more than we have.”
The robot – standing about four feet tall with articulating arms and a touchscreen face – can fetch items, carry small objects, and even tell jokes. “What do you call a robot that’s feeling under the weather?” ECHO asked Ethan. “A little rusty!”
The Calgary Flames made a surprise appearance too, with forward Nazem Kadri presenting Ethan with a signed jersey. The Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation contributed funding for specialized parts needed for the robot’s construction.
Dr. Rachel Wong, Ethan’s oncologist at Alberta Children’s Hospital, attended the unveiling. “Treatment for pediatric leukemia is incredibly taxing physically. On some days, even simple tasks require tremendous effort,” she explained. “This robot represents more than convenience – it offers Ethan dignity and independence during difficult phases of treatment.”
The Morrissey family has faced extraordinary challenges. Jennifer Morrissey, Ethan’s mother, had to reduce her work hours to manage his medical appointments. His father Mark drives for Uber on weekends to supplement their income.
“The financial strain is secondary to watching your child suffer,” Jennifer told me quietly while Ethan played with his new robot companion. “This community lifted us when we needed it most.”
Calgary’s tech community has rallied around Ethan’s story. Benevity, a local tech firm, has already reached out about potentially developing similar assistive technologies for other children facing medical challenges.
Mayor Jyoti Gondek, who attended the event, highlighted how the project showcases Calgary’s evolution. “We’re becoming a hub where technology and compassion intersect,” she noted. “This is the Calgary spirit at its finest.”
For Ethan, the technical specifications of his new robot friend were less important than what it represented. “It’s like having a piece of normal life back,” he said, demonstrating how ECHO could fetch his medication from across the room.
