Blog
Our Newest POGO Counsellors!
WHY DID YOU WANT TO BE A POGO TRANSITIONS COUNSELLOR?
| Rachel: I’m a social worker who previously worked in child protection. I like working with young adults who are in the stage of making their own decisions. | Emma: At a young age, I realized that I wanted to be in a helping role. My dad worked in a dialysis unit and I loved hanging out with the nurses! | Samantha: I have always loved what McMaster Children’s and POGO have done for children. Their work is incredible and I am so grateful to be part of it. |
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT YOUR ROLE?
| Rachel: Meeting people in oncology who are very caring. I love to problem-solve! | Emma: One-to-one conversations and hearing client stories inspire me! | Samantha: I genuinely love connecting with my clients and making a meaningful impact on their lives. Helping them navigate their journey and reach their goals is incredibly rewarding, and I celebrate every win along the way! |
WHAT IS THE HARDEST ONCOLOGY WORD/TERMINOLOGY YOU HAVE HAD TO LEARN?
| Rachel: All of them are the hardest two weeks in! | Emma: I’ve already Googled the majority of them. Hepatoblastoma sticks out as the hardest to pronounce. | Samantha: I know lots about oncology terms from past experience and, honestly, it is not easy to learn or understand. I am going to say the hardest thing for me to comprehend is all the codes when they are referring to genetic markers! |
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST SURPRISE WORKING WITH SURVIVORS?
| Rachel: How big of an impact childhood cancer has and how resilient the survivors are. | Emma: Working at POGO has made me aware of all the resources and the community within survivorship. A great surprise! | Samantha: People often assume that working with survivors or those in active treatment is always heavy or somber, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. They are some of the most inspiring, resilient and determined individuals I’ve ever met. Their positivity and “go-getter” energy are truly refreshing, and I feel privileged to witness their strength every day. |
DOGS OR CATS?
| Rachel: Dogs growing up; cats now. As an introvert, I appreciate how they like their time alone versus Velcro dogs! | Emma: Both! | Samantha: Dogs all the way! I have a Frenchie named Gus and he is my soul dog ❤️ I am not a cat hater – but there’s just something about the connection with a dog that is personal to me. Plus, I can’t deal with cats being nocturnal and bouncing around when I’m sleeping! Ha-ha |
WINTER OR SUMMER?
| Rachel: Winter! Hate the heat, humidity and bugs in Sudbury. I also like outdoor Winter activities. | Emma: I’m more of a Spring and Fall person | Samantha: I am a Summer girl. I need a warm breeze, a late sunset and people driving with the windows down, playing some good 80s rock. |
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PUMP-UP SONG RIGHT NOW?
| Rachel: “Sk8er Boi” by Avril Lavigne | Emma: “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish | Samantha: That’s tough… I love a wide range of music, but I can’t help myself when “Timber” by Kesha & Pitbull comes on… it’s goin’ down! |
Stay Tuned for a New Evolution of the S2S Network
Author: Barb Williams
The S2S Network has been an incredible collaboration between survivors, community members and the School and Work Transitions team at POGO. Over the years, we have seen some incredible growth in confidence and skills among the survivors who take part as facilitators and mentors, as well as strong connections within the community at large. We know many of you have found value in attending, whether you attended one session, or you kept coming back for more.
We’re using this opportunity to reflect, refine and reevaluate our programming. Our aim is to centre survivors as experts in the childhood cancer journey, while fostering a stronger, more informed community and general awareness about childhood cancer.
Stay tuned for updates in your inbox and on the POGO website. Whether you’ve been part of S2S before or you’re curious about what’s next, we’re excited to welcome you to the next chapter.
Internships: The ‘Intern’al Route to Success!
Author: Helen Antoniades interviewing Maryam Khraishi
“The people were truly what made my experience so amazing, and having been able to work in such a supportive environment has set a precedent for the rest of my career.”
An internship can provide a powerful experience. At its best, it gives students real-world work experience, builds their confidence, helps them explore different careers and enhances their resume and contacts.
When an internship recognizes that childhood cancer survivors can have unique challenges in school and work settings, it can be even more impactful.
That’s why, when Emblem Developments/First Avenue Investment Council wanted to offer more than their ongoing financial support of POGO, they consulted with the School and Work Transitions Program to develop a paid summer internship program for childhood cancer survivors, which launched in 2024.
Because it is specifically for childhood cancer survivors, Maryam, last year’s intern, says, “It alleviated a pressure that everyone understood what I had been through; there was already an understanding that I needed time for physiotherapy every week and that I had certain mobility difficulties. The program was designed to fill the gaps in my experiential learning caused by missed work while I was undergoing treatment during my university education.”
Maryam had the opportunity to meet professionals in a variety of roles and learn about how an office environment works. She got instructions and feedback that can be applied to her current schooling and future career. And having conversations with staff about career, education and life provided valuable guidance on her future path. Additionally, Maryam says, “The internship being paid allowed me to focus completely on the work and alleviated the financial worries/pressure I had from tuition, rent and living expenses.”
The experience shows what the School and Work Transitions Program already knows: childhood cancer survivors have deep potential and can thrive in a work environment, when given the supports they need. Maryam says, “The people were truly what made my experience so amazing, and having been able to work in such a supportive environment has set a precedent for the rest of my career.”
Shaping My Career Path: My Internship Experience at First Avenue and EMBLEM
When I reflect on summer 2024, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to have interned with POGO corporate partners First Avenue and EMBLEM. As a childhood cancer survivor and POGO Ambassador, my journey has been anything but predictable, and every step—every hurdle—has led me to where I am today.
When Your Brain Tumour Can’t Be Cured: Watch Maryam’s Story
From day one, my experience was defined by the incredible people I worked alongside. Each interaction provided me with advice, support and insight that have been both emotionally fulfilling and invaluable for my career.
This internship gave me a chance to expand my professional skills in unexpected ways. My projects ranged from marketing to office operations to event organization. I learned how to refine contact lists, update business continuity plans and contribute to the introduction of AI tools in the workplace, like Copilot. I created budgets and plans for summer social activities, and I was particularly pleased to support the inaugural annual fundraiser, Pickleball for POGO—an organization that has been invaluable to me in my cancer journey.
Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of this internship was the chance to explore new areas and grow as a professional. I improved my communication skills, learned to navigate new technologies and gained a better understanding of work-life balance. As someone managing personal health commitments alongside a full-time role, this balance was a challenge—but one I learned to navigate with the support of my teams at First Avenue and EMBLEM.
Finally, I want to thank POGO, First Avenue and EMBLEM, and everyone who made this internship possible. The experience was transformative, and I left with deeper confidence in my ability to thrive in professional settings.
To future interns: take every opportunity to grow, connect and learn. You never know where it might lead!
Maryam Khraishi is a POGO Ambassador and proud first intern of the First Avenue and EMBLEM Internship Program.
In 2024, First Avenue Investment Counsel and EMBLEM Developments pledged $100,000 to POGO. Their commitment to childhood cancer care extended beyond their financial commitment to include an annual fundraising event, Pickleball for POGO, and an annual summer internship for a youth who has survived cancer and benefitted from POGO support. The First Avenue and EMBLEM Internship Program provides invaluable work experience and aims to help bridge the educational gap caused by childhood cancer. Interns receive one-on-one mentorship, gain office experience and business skills, get to work on a value-added project in an area of interest, and receive the opportunity to present their project to leaders at the end of their internship.
2024 POGO Symposium Speakers Share Insights from their Sessions
The 2024 POGO Multidisciplinary Symposium on Childhood Cancer headed to Niagara-on-the-Lake, where Ontario’s pediatric oncology community, which included representatives from POGO partner hospitals, gathered to learn, collaborate and connect.
Over 15 healthcare professionals across various disciplines presented on a range of topics. Here are some session recaps.
Ceilidh Eaton Russell from McMaster University spoke about “good parenting” when a child is seriously ill, sharing insights from oncology parents to offer practical strategies to support families affected by childhood cancer.
Dr. Nicole Culos-Reed from the University of Calgary focused on the important role of nutrition and exercise throughout a child’s cancer treatment.
Dr. Theodore Laetsch from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia addressed recent successes in developing new treatments for pediatric solid tumours and their profound impact on patient care.
Chantal St. Jules from The Hospital for Sick Children discussed the unique experiences of autistic children and youth with cancer, providing strategies to incorporate trauma-based and developmental supports into their care.
Dr. David Teachey from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia highlighted new therapies and immunotherapies to improve outcomes for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Dr. Jennifer Seelisch from London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) delved into the exploration and utilization of immuno-oncology therapy to treat Hodgkin Lymphoma and the potential to reduce the use of standard chemotherapy and radiation and their late effects.
Dr. Joerg Krueger from The Hospital for Sick Children talked about the challenges of access to cellular therapies and the initiatives to ensure that children in Canada have access to them in the future.