Seeing Hope Under the Microscope: CellaVision Supports The CELLFiE Project

Inside the IWK Health Centre hematopathology lab in Halifax, Canada, children with leukemia and other blood disorders are stepping up to the microscope to see something extraordinary – their own cells.

Developed by Dr. David Conrad at IWK Health, the CELLFiE Project offers young patients and their families a rare opportunity to step into the laboratory, meet the professionals who made their diagnoses, and view their own cells on a screen. As David explains, “When patients can see and understand their own cells, something changes – they feel informed, empowered, and genuinely part of the team. That’s the heart of CELLFiE.”

Encouraging Curiosity

During CELLFiE visits and teaching sessions, children and families see their cells under the microscope in real time. This helps them understand the impact of treatment and follow their progress at the cellular level. For many, it’s the first time they’ve seen their own blood cells – and the first time the science of their disease truly becomes meaningful.

What begins as an abstract diagnosis becomes something tangible and real. By observing changes in their cells over time, patients gain clearer insight into what is happening in their bodies. The experience brings clarity, fosters engagement, and sparks genuine curiosity.

Learn more about how the CELLFiE Project is transforming the patient experience here.

Photo Credit - Ryan Wilson.