POGO Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario
480 University Ave M5g 1v2 Suite 1014 M5G 1V2 Toronto, ON, Canada

Wishing you all good health, good cheer and all the best for 2021. From our POGO family to yours.

Have you been impacted by #childhoodcancer? Your voice matters. Fill out this quick 10 minute national survey to help build a new research idea within the field of childhood cancer! You can participate here: cutt.ly/pedcancerpsp More info: www.pedcancerpsp.ca Pediatric Cancer Priority Setting Partnership (Survey is also available in French)

"The day I brought Isabelle to the hospital, I never expected that later that day I would be flying from Sudbury to Toronto, that I would hear my child has leukemia or that I wouldn’t see my other three little boys for close to two months." -Stephanie Lacasse Pictured here is Stephanie and Isabelle at a POGO partner hotel while in Toronto for treatment. Your support helps those like the Lacasse family when they need to travel for their child's cancer treatment. Help #championchildhoodcancercare, donate today. https://bit.ly/37KAzLL

Learn from POGO Interlink Nurse Cory Murphy and see what support POGO Interlink Nurses provide for children with cancer and their families throughout the duration of treatment and sometimes beyond.

#POGOInterlinkNurses are the healthcare team members who connect children with cancer and their family to important hospital and community supports. Read this reflection from our POGO Interlink Nurses about how COVID-19 has challenged the way they can interact with families; it demonstrates the importance of connecting meaningfully. https://www.pogo.ca/benefits-home-visits-for-families-of-c/

#TBT to LifeLabs' annual Pajamas & Pancakes Day! Their employees sported cozy pajamas and indulged in a delicious pancake breakfast to recognize #InternationalChildhoodCancerAwarenessDay. Thank you LifeLabs for donating a total of $150,000 over the last three years to help ensure everyone affected by childhood cancer has access to the best care and support.

As a family with a child that has cancer, POGO has been a huge support for us, for the last four years. We raised the money selling home made honey, and will continue to do so in the years ahead. Erwin Kooi Meet the Kooi family who donated their honey sale proceeds from this summer to both POGO Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario and Camp Oochigeas. Thank you for giving back in such a delicious way!

POGO’s Survivor to Survivor (S2S) Network is now hiring 2021 Workshop Facilitators. If you are a #childhoodcancer or #braintumoursurvivor, 16 years or older (as of January 2021), interested in a part-time position and looking to develop new skills, apply today! The application deadline is November 18. For application details visit https://bit.ly/3eNgojz. Check out www.pogo.ca/s2s to find out more about the #SurvivortoSurvivorNetwork.

Today we want to remember and recognize our Veterans for their service. #RemembranceDay #lestweforget2020

Looking for a challenge? The Toronto Women's Half Marathon series has launched a brand new event. The 416 Run Challenge is a great opportunity to push yourself and support #POGO4kids. https://www.towomensruns.com/events/416runchallenge/

French-speaking families may be interested in attending an upcoming webinar presented by the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada on November 30. Learn tips and tricks about supporting the emotional and social development of children with brain tumours. https://register.gotowebinar.com/regist/8959465467358592268

On #BrainCancerAwarenessDay, we want to recognize the significant gains made in the survival of children with certain types of central nervous system (CNS) tumours. 75% of children diagnosed with CNS tumours in Ontario will survive for at least 5 years. However, #braintumoursurvival rates can range drastically depending on many factors, including the type of tumour diagnosed and its stage. ... More research is needed to investigate the causes of childhood cancer and its treatment. For more data about CNS tumours and other childhood cancers, read the 2020 POGO Surveillance Report. https://www.pogo.ca//data-r/2020-pogo-surveillance-report/

Putting pen to paper is a start, but if you struggle with what to do next join S2S Team Member, Stephanie, for her interactive workshop on building effective writing skills. By participating in the #S2SNetwork, you can learn something new and meet other survivors! To register for this free and virtual #S2SWorkshop visit https://bit.ly/2YV62HL #SurvivortoSurvivorNetwork #survivorship #POGOSchoolandWorkTransitions

Wow! Thank you to all our donors and supporters who made #LINKEDForLife a success! To date, we have raised $9,335 and created over 1,867 links in support of childhood cancer and survivor care. These links formed chains that were strung up at our participating hospitals during #ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth, demonstrating to children who are currently in treatment that they are supported by the community. https://p2p.onecause.com/linkedforlife

As a #childhoodcancer or #braintumour survivor, transitioning between school and work can be challenging. Knowing your options in disclosing your disability or requesting accommodations can help you to feel empowered. Join Istahil for an S2S Workshop on Advocacy and Disclosure. To register for this free and virtual #S2SWorkshop visit https://bit.ly/3iogG1A or check out https://www.pogo.ca//transitions-/workshops-for-survivors/ #SurvivortoSurvivorNetwork #survivorship #POGOSchoolandWorkTransitions

Cynsspace once scoffed at running virtual races. But as public events were cancelled because of COVID-19, she decided to join the Toronto Women's Half Marathon Virtual Half Marathon/10k/5k and realized participation was not just about her - it was about being there for the running community. Read her blog to understand why supporting the Toronto Women’s Run is a win-win. https://www.pogo.ca/value-in-virtual-racing

Do you have electronics collecting dust? Consider donating your gadgets to ERA from September 24 November 6 at locations in Burlington and Scarborough (details below). The Electronic Recycling Association and MPP Jane McKenna are committed to collecting e-waste to support children and youth in cancer care. https://www.electronicrecyclingassociation.ca/childhood-ca/

Did you know? The latest provincial childhood cancer statistics report from POGO, Childhood Cancer in Ontario: The 2020 POGO Surveillance Report, is now live online! The report tells the story of four main areas in #childhoodcancercare in Ontario: Number of new cases (Incidence), number of deaths (Mortality), number of children who survive at least five years after their diagnosis (Survival) and estimated number of individuals previously diagnosed with childhood cancer alive in Ontario (Prevalence). Explore the report, infographics and key facts: https://www.pogo.ca/.../2020-pogo-surveillance-report/ CORRECTION: a previous version of this post was published with the wrong infographic

Only 160 more links and $800 to go until we reach our #LinkedForLife fundraising goal. Each link demonstrates the many reasons why those in our community #championchildhoodcancercare. Purchase your link and tell us your connection to the #childhoodcancer community. https://p2p.onecause.com/linkedforlife

The #S2Sworkshopseries is back after #ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth. We have two more workshops to go before we wrap up the year! Register today and see what all the buzz is about. Check out www.pogo.ca/s2s for details.

Do you have electronics collecting dust? Consider donating your gadgets to ERA from September 24 November 6 at locations in Burlington and Scarborough (details below). The Electronic Recycling Association and MPP Jane McKenna are committed to collecting e-waste to support children and youth in cancer care. https://www.electronicrecyclingassociation.ca/childhood-ca/

Now available! As #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth comes to an end, POGO is excited to launch Childhood Cancer in Ontario: The 2020 POGO Surveillance Report. This report offers the latest comprehensive statistics combined with infographics and key facts to shine a spotlight on the achievements gained and challenges that remain in childhood cancer care in Ontario. POGO is dedicated to ensuring everyone affected by childhood cancer has access to the best care and support. #champi...onchildhoodcancercare #ForNowForLife #championccam #childhoodcancerstatistics Explore the report and supplementary resources: www.pogo.ca/res/data-reports/2020-pogo-surveillance-report/

Only two days left to purchase your links for #LINKEDForLife. Help us reach our fundraising goal and share your link with the childhood cancer community. #ccam https://p2p.onecause.com/linkedforlife

The #LINKEDforLife team is busy makings links to bring to our partner hospitals. We are just short of reaching our goal of $10,000 to support children, youth, families and survivors affected by childhood cancer. This #ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth help us raise awareness about childhood cancer and the challenges survivors face. https://p2p.onecause.com/linkedforlife

Two years ago today, the eighth POGO Satellite Clinic opened at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre, bringing more care closer to home for the community's children and youth with cancer and their families. Last year the dedicated team in Peterborough cared for 39 families with 85 inpatient days of care and 465 clinic visits. #TBT

Want to better understand credit, how to manage money and learn to take control of your finances all while on a budget? Register for the Financial Literacy 101 #S2SNetwork workshop, presented by S2S Member Michelle. Topic Expert and CIBC Senior Manager, Colleen Leung, will join us again to support your learning and answer questions. www.pogo.ca/s2s

The Creative Heart Space is bringing a little magic to #ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth. Cadence and her kids have been hard at work making wands to raise awareness and funds in support of #POGO4kids. Visit www.creativeheartspace.ca to learn how you can get your wand and spread a some cheer.

COVID-19 has changed the way children and youth with cancer, their families and survivors navigate their cancer journeys. This POGO virtual education session equips multi-disciplinary healthcare providers to discuss the science of #COVID19 with children in a way that supports kids’ worries and strengthens connection. Professional grief therapists, Andrea Warnick Consulting and Lisa Robinson offer a variety of tips and resources for all healthcare team members. Available live and through recording! Register now: https://bit.ly/3jEUJuS

LINKED For Life is a campaign to create a paper chain with 2,000 colourful links that will be displayed in pediatric cancer centres across Ontario. Anyone can support the campaign and for every $5 you donate, one link will be created in your name (or someone you wish to honour). The purpose is to show patients, their families and survivors of childhood cancer that they are not alone and that they are supported by the community. Steve Vooro is passionate about raising awareness and funds for #childhoodcancer and #survivorcare, and has committed to buying 100 links! We are grateful to Steve for his commitment to #championchildhoodcancercare. To get your own link(s), visit https://p2p.onecause.com/linkedforlife

Today would have been ninth annual KW Run for Kids with Cancer in support of #pogo4kids. COVID-19 put the run on hold until 2021, when we can hopefully come together again safely in support of childhood cancer care. We can’t thank Kitchener Kids with Cancer Run & Walk enough for their ongoing support and look forward to walking with you next year. www.kwrunforpogo.com