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Childhood Cancer Care Expanded to Northwestern Ontario

Posted on June 4, 2025 by admin

POGO Satellite and Interlink Programs Bring Childhood Cancer Care Closer to Home
at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

Thunder Bay, ON, June 4, 2025 – Today, childhood cancer care closer to home became a reality for families living in Northwestern Ontario with the launch of two new Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) programs at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). Expansion of the POGO Satellite and Interlink Nursing programs at TBRHSC was made possible thanks to funding from Ontario’s Ministry of Health.

For childhood cancer patients and their families in the Northwest, much of their care is provided at Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre. The establishment of the POGO programs at TBRHSC means fewer trips to London and more time at home with their support network of family and friends and less disruption to school and work.

“It was important for us to be at Thunder Bay Regional for the launch of these POGO programs,” said Drago and Shanley Pavletic of Thunder Bay, whose son was treated at Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre. “We know firsthand what it means to be away from home while our child was in treatment. Now, parents won’t always have to leave their jobs or split their families apart. You can’t put a price on that kind of peace of mind.”

POGO now coordinates childhood cancer care at nine Satellite Clinics in community hospitals across the province. The multidisciplinary healthcare team in the POGO Clinic at TBRHSC includes doctors, nurses, child life specialists, and social workers, and provides a range of high-quality pediatric cancer services.

The POGO Interlink Nurse will be assigned to families at diagnosis, connecting them to services they need, whether in the hospital or community. The POGO Interlink Nurse may also visit the child’s school to share information about the child’s cancer journey with teachers and the child’s or their sibling’s classmates.

“POGO programs provide wrap-around care and support to children and families from diagnosis to treatment to survivorship, and, when needed, end-of-life care,” said Lauren Ettin, POGO CEO. “Expansion of the POGO Satellite Clinic and Interlink programs to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre signals meaningful change for local families and fulfills an important objective of Ontario’s five-year Childhood Cancer Care Plan, to bring care closer to home. We are honoured to partner with the incredible teams at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre to meet the needs of children with cancer and their families in Northwestern Ontario.”

“We are proud to join the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) as an official Satellite Clinic,” said Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and CEO of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute (TBRHRI). “This designation marks a significant step forward in enhancing the quality of care for children and families facing cancer in Northwestern Ontario. Through this partnership with POGO and the Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre, we will be able to offer more comprehensive and coordinated care closer to home. Our interdisciplinary teams, including a dedicated Interlink Nurse, will guide families through every stage of the pediatric cancer journey—reducing travel burdens, supporting continuity of care, and helping to improve health outcomes. Most importantly, children can now receive specialized treatment right here in Thunder Bay, enabling families to remain together during a challenging time.”

“The launch of the POGO Satellite and Interlink programs at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is a significant milestone for childhood cancer care in Northwestern Ontario,” said Dr. Alexandra Zorzi, head of paediatric hematology and oncology at Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). “At Children’s Hospital, we are dedicated to extending our specialized care and support to families in this region. By bringing these vital services closer to home, we help to ensure our young patients receive the same high-quality care they would at Children’s Hospital, but within their own community. This initiative not only alleviates the physical and emotional strain on families, but also strengthens our mission to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care across the region.”

In video remarks, Minister of Health Sylvia Jones spoke on behalf of Premier Ford and the entire government saying, “I would like to congratulate the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario, along with Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre, as you launch your POGO Satellite Clinic in Thunder Bay. This marks an important milestone with the expansion of world-class childhood cancer care in Northwestern Ontario. Thank you again to POGO and all your partners for everything you do to support children impacted by childhood cancer and their family.”

About Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO)

Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) works to ensure that everyone affected by childhood cancer has access to the best care and support. POGO partners to achieve an excellent childhood cancer care system for children, youth, survivors, and their families and healthcare teams, in Ontario and beyond. POGO champions childhood cancer care, and as the collective voice of this community, is the official advisor to Ontario’s Ministry of Health on children’s cancer control and treatment. POGO is a non-profit organization with charitable status, here for kids with cancer, for now, for life.

About Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC)
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), a 425-bed academic specialized acute care facility, is a national leader in Patient and Family Centred Care. As the only tertiary care provider in Northwestern Ontario, we provide comprehensive services to a population of over 250,000 residents in a region the size of France. Effectively addressing the health care needs of patients and families has earned us both Innovation Awards and Leading Practice Designations. As an academic health sciences centre, we teach the next generation of health care providers and advance medical research. Patients benefit from interprofessional teams of dedicated health care providers and access to leading-edge medical technology and clinical trials. To fulfill its teaching and research strategic goals, TBRHSC is supported by Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute (TBRHRI) as a not-for-profit and independent research corporation. TBRHRI is the research arm of TBRHSC and seeks to lead research to improve the health outcome of the people of Northwestern Ontario and beyond.

About London Health Sciences Centre
London Health Sciences Centre has been at the forefront of medicine in Canada for 145 years and offers the broadest range of specialized clinical services in Ontario. Building on the traditions of its founding hospitals to provide compassionate care in an academic teaching setting, London Health Sciences Centre is home to Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, Victoria Hospital, the Kidney Care Centre, two family medical centres, and two research institutes – Children’s Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute. As a leader in medical discovery and health research, London Health Sciences Centre has a history of over 65 international and national firsts and attracts top clinicians and researchers from around the world. As a regional referral centre, London Health Sciences Centre cares for the most medically complex patients including critically injured adults and children in southwestern Ontario and beyond. The hospital’s nearly 15,000 staff, physicians, students and volunteers provide care for more than one million patient visits a year. For more information visit www.lhsc.on.ca.

Shaping My Career Path: My Internship Experience at First Avenue and EMBLEM

Posted on February 21, 2025 by admin

*Maryam Khraishi, POGO Ambassador and proud first intern of the First Avenue and EMBLEM Internship Program*

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

Posted on February 21, 2025 by Paula Lacsena

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.

How Jules’s Stomachache Led to Childhood Cancer Care at a POGO Satellite Clinic

Posted on February 21, 2025 by admin

Our daughter Juliana, or Jules as we call her, seemed perfectly fine until one day at the park, she suddenly doubled over in pain while running. She lay with me for about 15 minutes, crying and telling me her tummy hurt. Later that night, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off, so we went to the emergency room where they ran a few tests and set an appointment for an ultrasound and x-ray the next day. I was worried it might be her appendix.

It was early in the pandemic and my husband, Tom, wasn’t allowed to come with us to the appointment. Jules seemed fine—full of energy, even jumping around in the room. But when the radiologist asked if anyone in the parking lot was waiting for me, my heart sank. They asked Jules to go colour at the nurses’ station. I got Tom on speakerphone, and then they told us—our little girl had a growth on her kidney. They said it was most likely a Wilms tumour, which was later confirmed. We were immediately referred to SickKids in Toronto. I was told to return to our home in Georgetown, pack a bag, and get to the hospital for Jules to be admitted and wait for the next steps.

We quickly arranged for my parents to take care of our other two children, James and Emma, while we headed to Toronto. We met with the surgeon two days later, and three days after that, Jules was in surgery to remove the tumour along with one of her kidneys and some lymph nodes.

After the surgery, Jules started weekly chemotherapy and a few days of radiation treatment. Once settled into her chemotherapy regimen, our oncologist suggested we continue her treatment closer to home at the POGO Satellite Clinic at Credit Valley Hospital. This meant we only needed to return to Toronto every three weeks. At first, we were nervous about the change. But the oncologist reassured us that we would love the POGO Satellite Clinic—and we did.

It wasn’t just about being closer to home, though that made a massive difference for our family. The POGO Satellite Clinic became a place where we felt supported and cared for. The staff—especially Jose, Lindsay and Alex—became like family. They were always willing to do whatever was needed, including staying late when Jules had a fever. They even rescheduled one of her treatments so she could start Senior Kindergarten on the first day with her classmates. That small gesture meant the world to her.

POGO’s support went beyond medical care. Our POGO Interlink Nurse offered to talk to Jules’s class about her cancer. Ultimately, they arranged a virtual meeting with her school administrators and teachers to discuss how to best support her, including helping with sunscreen since chemotherapy made her more sensitive to the sun.

Jules is doing well today. She loves school, playing with her friends and Taylor Swift. Her check-ups have stretched from every three months to every six; eventually, they’ll be yearly. She will be monitored for life at a POGO AfterCare Clinic. We’re grateful every day for POGO’s support. They turned a terrifying experience into something more manageable, always making sure we felt supported along the way.

Bruce Power and supplier partners donate $100,000 to Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario

Posted on January 21, 2025 by Paula Lacsena

Originally published on the Bruce Power website, September 25, 2024

From left to right: Dr. Charmaine van Schaik, POGO Board Vice-chair; Lauren Ettin, POGO CEO; Shannon Caskey, POGO Chief Development Officer & Director of Communications; and James Scongack, POGO Board Chair

Bruce Power and its supplier partners continue to support those impacted by childhood cancer by combining to donate $100,000 to the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO).

Bruce Power and supplier donations enable POGO to continue to build the best childhood cancer research and care systems for impacted youth and their families. POGO programs include financial assistance for families in need, transitions counselling and much needed continued research in the field.

“Through the generous commitment of Bruce Power and its Supplier Partners, we are making a meaningful difference in the childhood cancer community,” said Shannon Caskey, POGO’s Chief Development Officer. “Their investment enables us to extend our reach, innovate, and drive programs and services that benefit patients, survivors, families, and health care professionals throughout Ontario.”

Pat Dalzell, Bruce Power’s Vice-President of Corporate Affairs and Market Development, said the company and its partners are happy to be able to help.

“We are committed to supporting POGO with its impressive cancer care efforts. With cancer rates rising worldwide and its devastating impact on children and their families, we are proud to support an organization that provides impacted Ontario families with the care and comfort they need,” Dalzell said.

Bruce Power and its employees are also proud of their role as a global supplier of medical isotopes, which are used in various forms of cancer treatment and the sterilization of medical equipment.

About Bruce Power

Bruce Power is an electricity company based in Bruce County, Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory, Ontario. We are powered by our people. Our 4,200 employees are the foundation of our accomplishments and are proud of the role they play in safely delivering clean, reliable nuclear power to families and businesses across the province and cancer-fighting medical isotopes around the world.

POGO

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In the News

Childhood Cancer Care Expanded to Northwestern Ontario

Shaping My Career Path: My Internship Experience at First Avenue and EMBLEM

2024 POGO Symposium Speakers Share Insights from their Sessions

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How Jules’s Stomachache Led to Childhood Cancer Care at a POGO Satellite Clinic

Bruce Power and supplier partners donate $100,000 to Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario