“ ”

“
LIFE MEANS SO MUCH but we don’t realize
how precious it is until it is taken away.
I took life for granted and then
each breath of life was a struggle.
”
— Julia Brown, age 15

A MESSAGE FROM THE
PRESIDENT
As POGO fast approaches its 20th
anniversary, it is time to reflect on the goals
and accomplishments of this unique organization
and to anticipate its successes in the
years to come. From humble beginnings as a
well-meaning but seriously underfunded, and
otherwise under-resourced, entity devoted to
improving the care of children with cancer in
Ontario, POGO has grown in stature and professionalism
to enjoy an official role as advisor
on pediatric oncology to the provincial ministry
of health, supported by a dedicated secretariat
and a multi-million dollar annual
budget.
POGO's effectiveness lies, in part, in its
functioning as a supra-institutional body, collaborating
with and supporting the important
work of institutions across this province which
deliver pediatric cancer care (including The Hospital for Sick
Children; McMaster Children's Hospital; Children's Hospital of
Western Ontario; Kingston General Hospital; and Children's
Hospital of Eastern Ontario). Thanks to POGO, each of these
institutions, and the patients and families they care for, have benefited
from increased funding and a province-wide system of
comprehensive care based on the highest standards and practice
guidelines.
Opportunities for further accomplishments abound and will
be enabled by the establishment of partnerships with other
organizations, as envisaged in a formal business plan, and by the
imminent birth of the POGO Childhood
Cancer Foundation (the application for
which is under review at Canada Customs
and Revenue Agency as of press time). By
word of mouth and through the dissemination
of POGO's standards, guidelines and
policy documents, POGO's experience and
expertise has found its way to children with
cancer throughout Canada, and in the USA
and developing countries. With your help,
there is much more we can do to ensure the
best possible care for children everywhere.
I thank the Ministry of Health and Long-
Term Care and the many generous corporate
and private sector donors for the commitment
with which they have supported
POGO's growth so far. We look forward to
their continued partnership as we embark
on the many challenges and opportunities ahead to improve the
circumstances of the children and their families who struggle
with pediatric cancer—in Ontario and beyond.
Dr. Ronald D. Barr,
President
Sudbury Regional
Hospital Corporation
The Credit Valley
Hospital, Mississauga
Children's Hospital
of Western Ontario
University of
Western Ontario
The Hospital
for Sick Children
University of Toronto
The Pediatric Oncology
Group of Ontario
Kingston
General Hospital
Queen's University
Orillia Soldiers'
Memorial Hospital
Children's Hospital
Hamilton
McMaster University
Children's Hospital
of Eastern Ontario
University of Ottawa
Grand River Hospital,
Kitchener Waterloo
Health Centre
POGO: An update 3

INTRODUCTION TO POGO
Each year, over 2,500 of Ontario’s children undergo treatment
or require follow-up care for cancer. Despite decades of
remarkable progress, 25% of children newly diagnosed with
cancer will not survive. In fact, cancer kills more of our children
than any other disease: on average, 2 children die of malignant
disease each week in Ontario.
Investments of human and financial resources, and a high
level of professional collaboration, have resulted in a 75% overall
survival rate for children with cancer. However, when survival
is reached, it can come at a high cost. Quality of life may be
compromised, and children and their families may struggle with
the physical, psychological and socio-economic impacts of the
disease and its treatment
Founded in 1983, the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario
(POGO) champions childhood cancer care and control. The
organization seeks to ensure access for all of Ontario’s children to
well coordinated, state-of-the-art cancer care and to ensure that
POGO’S VISION
POGO’s vision, conceived in the mid-1990’s, was translated
into seven strategic initiatives, all substantially on their way
to completion. These are:
1. The creation of a childhood cancer system that allows
the child and family to take advantage of medical,
nursing and behavioural expertise in five specialized
childhood cancer programs when necessary, and
closer to home when safe and appropriate.
2. A standard for acceptable staffing levels and professional-to-child
ratios.
3. The implementation of a provincial network of specialized
After Care clinics, to address the predictable
and often remediable issues of survivors.
4. Mechanisms for easing the enormous financial burden
experienced by families when confronted by the catastrophic
diagnosis of pediatric cancer.
5. The recognition of a pediatric cancer coordinating
body (POGO) linked to the Ministry of Health and
Long-Term Care and other stakeholders, and commitment
to support it.
6. A provincial childhood cancer database electronically
linking the programs that care for children and providing
accurate provincial information on cancer in
the population.
7. Creation of a childhood cancer-focused research unit.
the services needed are available. POGO works on behalf of,
and along with the children and their families to ensure optimal
care, advocating for appropriate clinical, research and educational
resources for caregivers of all disciplines, and generating
standards and guidelines for practice. The organization is a collaboration
of the five specialty pediatric oncology programs in
Ontario—The Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto); McMaster
Children’s Hospital (Hamilton); Children’s Hospital of Western
Ontario (London); Kingston General Hospital; and Children’s
Hospital of Eastern Ontario (Ottawa)—along with a growing
number of partners. The collaboration’s mission is threefold,
focusing on Care, Education and Research:
■
■
■
CARE: POGO seeks to ensure that each child in this
province has equal access to the most current care and that
the full range of needs of these children, their families and
caregivers are met.
EDUCATION: POGO creates regular opportunities for professional
update in this rapidly advancing field.
RESEARCH: POGO promotes and conducts research probing
incidence, trends, program delivery effectiveness and
costs, and quality of survival—an often neglected research
agenda.
A strong partnership with Ontario’s Ministry of Health and
Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) and with the childhood cancer community,
and an unfaltering collaboration among the POGO programs
and professionals, have led to many successes, as a result
of which, POGO is now designated the official source of
advice to the MOHLTC on pediatric cancer care and control.
POGO has built a reputation for recommendations
based on solid provincial data, scientific evidence and significant
clinical experiences.
Thanks to POGO, care for Ontario’s children with cancer has
been enhanced and integrated, and pediatric cancer is, today,
designated a Priority Program by Ontario’s MOHLTC. POGO
and its partner hospitals have created an environment in which
the gaps in care and control are identified, and funds for childhood
cancer care continue to flow from government to the institutions
in which diagnosis and care take place.
POGO is dedicated to building a seamless system for the
care of pediatric cancer patients, supported by practice guidelines,
professional education, accurate information and
research. POGO works hard for the survival of these young
cancer patients and strives to improve quality of life during all
phases of the journey.
4 POGO: An update

REPORT FROM THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Looking back to POGO’s
beginnings in the 1980’s, it is
truly astonishing to observe
how far along the road this
collaboration of concerned
professionals and programs
has come toward realizing its
vision of a state-of-the-art
childhood cancer system for
Ontario.
On behalf of children
fighting cancer in our
province, their families, and
the dedicated professionals
who care for them, we thank
you for the many and different
Dr. Corin Greenberg at
the ‘80s-themed Party for
POGO, 2002
ways in which you offer your support—through partnerships,
expert consultations, and much needed financial support. With
your help, POGO is in a position to continue and expand its
scope of work. This work is focused on the improvement of cancer
care and quality of survival for the children of Ontario, professional
education and research.
We are grateful for the steadfast support of Ontario’s Ministry
of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC), of pediatric oncology
professionals, the wider childhood cancer care community, and
the many supporters who share our challenges and victories.
On behalf of POGO’s Board, I would like to thank Dr.
Anthony Melman, Fundraising Chair, our donors, sponsors and
volunteers who have generously contributed to POGO’s
Fundraising Campaigns. Their efforts enabled us to establish the
POGO Chair in Childhood Cancer Control at the University of
Toronto, and with it the position of Medical Director of POGO,
both critical to the advancement of POGO care, education and
research initiatives which, in turn, enhance the care of the children
we serve.
I am pleased to report that POGO is operating on a surplus
basis. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001 (the most recent
year for which we currently have audited financial statements),
our financial statements, audited by Schwartz Levitsky Feldman
llp, report total income of $2,600,005 and total expenses of
$1,159,393. POGO’s policy is to allocate a portion of any yearend
surpluses against high-priority needs and programs as
approved by the POGO Board, while retaining a positive fund
balance into the subsequent fiscal year. For detailed financial
statements and to receive audited financial statements for the fiscal
year ended March 2002, please contact Susan Grace at our
office at 416-592-1232.
POGO’s work will continue to focus on Care, Education
and Research. In the year ahead, these directions will lead to:
■ Expansion of the Provincial Pediatric Oncology Satellite
Program (PPOSP), a network of community care centres
which provide components of care closer to the family
home, thereby minimizing the disruption on the lives of
patients and their families;
■ Implementation of a partnership with the Interlink
Community Cancer Nurses, a pediatric community cancer
nursing program which will support children/families when
they return home;
■ Operation of a Financial Assistance Program, created to help
with the enormous financial burden experienced by families
as they struggle with childhood cancer. In addition, the
■ Expansion of the Provincial Pediatric Oncology AfterCare
Program which greatly increases the health system’s capacity
for health monitoring and health promotion for all survivors.
As with all POGO initiatives, the AfterCare program is
designed to help children and families deal with the physical,
psychosocial, cognitive and behavioral challenges associated
with their disease and treatment.
In addition, POGO will convene the 2002 Multidisciplinary
Symposium. This year’s symposium is on “Care at the End of Life”
and deals with palliative care for those children who will not survive.
Our annual conferences bring together cancer care professionals,
researchers and other experts to discuss key dimensions
of advancing frontiers. More than 200 pediatric oncology professionals
are expected to attend.
It is my privilege to report, in the pages that follow, some of
the recent and substantial accomplishments of the enduring and
committed collaboration that has become known as POGO.
Dr. Corin Greenberg
Executive Director
POGO: An update 5

A MEASURE OF OUR SUCCESS
OBJECTIVES & INITIATIVES
Ensure government has expert pediatric oncology advice
Create, sustain and expand a provincial database
Establish a Provincial Pediatric Oncology Satellite system
CURRENT STATUS
• POGO linked to MOH
• Data to support decision making developed
• Rapid policy development enabled
• Blueprint for expansion completed, several steps implemented
• Computerized networking of hospitals implemented
• Key information and analysis achieved
• Four provincial pediatric oncology sites prepared and activated
Major expansion of expert staff in all disciplines
Provincial system of After Care Clinics for survivors of all ages
• Phase l funding secured for all POGO hospitals, Phase ll expansion
approved partially by MOHLTC, Phase III under consideration
• New staff and funding secured for:
- After care clinics
- Satellite system
- Expanded database
- Provincial umbrella POGO office
• Approved and funded, guidelines developed
• In preparation:
- Development of health promotion brochure
Initiate an integrated, comprehensive and provincial system of care
• Funding approved
• Several standards and guidelines completed
Increased opportunities for parent/survivor participation in care &
policy development
• Parent and survivor representation on POGO committees
• Childhood Cancer Resources, guide completed
- 2,000 copies distributed to professionals and families
• Parent education handbook approved and distributed
• POGO originated & co-hosted first FORUM on childhood cancer
Initiated supportive strategies for parents/families
Increased opportunities for professional development and specialization
in pediatric oncology
• Increased compensation for babysitting hours achieved
• Trillium Drug program: qualifying threshold changed
• Proposal developed for the management of effective, expensive
supportive care drugs and chemotherapeutic agents
• Increased access achieved to allied health staff & care coordinators
• Initiated professional development opportunities
• Pediatric oncology nursing curriculum developed & implemented
• Annual POGO Symposia
• Mentoring and abstract review system developed
• Staff education for Satellite practice and AfterCare program
Establish the POGO Research Unit (PRU)
• Ministry commitment for 5 years, ends March, 2003
• First studies underway
6 POGO: An update

CARE
In 1988 and again in 1994, POGO delivered comprehensive
reports to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
(MOHLTC) on available and missing childhood cancer services. In
these reports and through the strenuous schedule of work that
followed, POGO systematically identified gaps in service; new
approaches to treatment; efficiencies to be realized; serious
understaffing; areas in critical need of strategic investment; and
new ways of delivering service.
The result is a strong partnership with Ontario’s MOHLTC,
POGO and the childhood cancer community, and major steps
towards a coordinated, well-integrated, province-wide system of
care, directed and delivered by affiliated, hospital-based programs
which are in regular contact with each other.
Today, Ontario has a childhood cancer system founded on
state-of-the-art practice guidelines and significant new MOHLTC
funding. The province-wide network is the result of a sustained
and determined collaboration of professionals working with parents
and survivors, and the help and support of three successive
governments led by each of the major political parties.
POGO has sought to enhance the care of the children
through:
■ increasing the numbers of staff available in all pediatric cancer
programs, thanks to increased funding from the
MOHLTC;
■ the creation and ongoing support of the Provincial Pediatric
Oncology Satellite Program (PPOSP), a network of community
care centres established in partnership with POGO hospitals;
■ the implementation of a province-wide network of AfterCare
Clinics to monitor the care and promote the health and
well-being of the nearly 75% of children who survive their
cancer;
■ the publication of “Childhood Cancer Resources: POGO's
Guide to Services in Ontario”, and development of a searchable
online database of resources available across Ontario—
an initiative funded through a private foundation grant;
■ a search for mechanisms for easing the enormous financial
burden experienced by families when confronted by this
catastrophic diagnosis, in collaboration with the Canadian
Cancer Society, Ontario Division and Ontario’s MOHLTC.
■
■
Plans for the future include:
the provision of reliable funding to POGO’s new partner,
Interlink, a community-based pediatric cancer nursing program,
and integration of this program into the childhood
cancer network in Ontario;
maintaining and updating guidelines that direct care in the
■
■
Provincial Pediatric Oncology Satellite centres;
maintaining and updating guidelines that direct care in
POGO AfterCare Clinics;
the management of a financial assistance fund to help families
with treatment-related out-of-pocket costs.
EDUCATION
Over the years, POGO has worked to identify the challenges and
issues arising from childhood cancer control and from the practice
of pediatric oncology professionals. POGO’s educational
programs are dynamic, interesting learning opportunities
where the experts assemble to identify and examine the
issues and where the exchange of ideas, problem solving,
and research collaborations on the entire childhood cancer
population result. These programs help keep caregivers
abreast of new developments, provide regular opportunities for
contact, consultation and collaboration among colleagues
across the province and country, and stimulate discussion that
advances policy, program, and practice innovation.
■
POGO’s ongoing educational activities include:
MULTIDISCIPLINARY SYMPOSIA: Each year, professionals
who care for children with malignant disease
attend the POGO Symposia in large numbers. These
conferences provide cutting-edge information on caring
for the whole child, and networking opportunities
from which research collaborations and clinical consultation
flow in abundance. POGO Symposia are rated
POGO: An update 7

y participants as an effective way of providing new
information for practice and new ideas for research,
and of colleague-to-colleague discovery and discussion.
POGO Symposia are typically attended by approximately
200 multidisciplinary professionals, representing
more than 25 organizations across Ontario,
Canada and the United States.
■
SPECIALIZED PRACTICE UPDATES: POGO updates
enhance professional knowledge in a rapidly advancing
specialty. A program in 2002, for example, focused on Bone
Marrow Transplantation (BMT) and included Management
of BMT Complications; Psycho-social Impacts of
Transplantation; and Nutritional Needs in the Post-
Transplant Patient.
■
■
ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION FORUMS: Round Tables
are designed to foster the development of clinical policies
and programs supported by consensus.
RESEARCH REVIEW AND CONSULTATION: Members of
the POGO Research Committee assist interested researchers
with the development of posters presenting new research
and innovative programs, and with the development of
research proposals.
■
NURSING CONFERENCES: These conferences, which
occur in alternate years, offer nurses rich and valued opportunities
for professional education, career development, literature
updates and clinical consultation. Recent conference
topics included: State-of-the-Art Nursing; Ethical and
Moral Issues in the Care of Children with Cancer; Integration
of New Information into Bedside Nursing; Education for a
Career in Pediatric Cancer Nursing: the Pediatric Oncology
Nursing Curriculum; and Provincial and National Nursing
Partnerships.
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
RECENT MULTIDISCIPLINARY
SYMPOSIA TOPICS
New approaches to Diagnosis, Treatment and
Rehabilitation of Children With Malignant Disease
Experience and Evaluation: a demonstration of how the
latest research findings may be translated into practice
Beyond Cure: Consequences and Care (focusing on the
major late effects of childhood cancer)
The Challenges and Rewards of Caring for Children with
Cancer
Coping with Stress: Applications to Pediatric Oncology
Practice (addressing professional caregiver concerns
about high levels of burnout, stress and emotional
exhaustion)
Causes of Cancer: Environment vs. Heredity
Bill 109 and the Right to Refuse Treatment
Complementary and Adjunctive Therapies
A Vision of Pediatric Oncology for Ontario
A CHILDHOOD CANCER NURSING
CURRICULUM
POGO's first Nursing Committee identified a pressing need
for a childhood cancer nursing curriculum that would help
nurses develop the skills to address the unique medical and
social aspects of caring for children and families throughout
the childhood cancer treatment journey. POGO secured
funding to develop a Pediatric Oncology Nursing
Curriculum from The Max Bell Foundation and The Richard
and Jean Ivey Fund, and spearheaded its development. In
1994 the program was successfully adopted by the
McMaster School of Nursing in Hamilton, where it grew rapidly
into a training opportunity for childhood cancer nurses
across Canada, and was cloned as the model for the development
of a national, adult cancer nursing curriculum.
POGO NEWS
Periodically POGO publishes a newsletter that summarizes new
advances; analyzes the implications of new policies, legislation
and programs; and reviews upcoming conferences and relevant,
recent publications. The newsletter is read by 2000 pediatric cancer
professionals across North America.
8 POGO: An update

RESEARCH
The POGO Research Unit (PRU) was activated in 1998. In barely
4 years of operation the PRU has developed a strong and unique
research mandate that has attracted 30 research proposals,
involving 82 researchers, from 26 institutions and 19 different
professional disciplines.
The mission of the PRU is:
■ to emphasize the importance of translating new knowledge
into better care for children and better health policy;
■ to stimulate investigations focused on population, program
and system questions, on health economics and on quality
of life and other issues relating to patient outcomes;
■ and to spread the culture of multi-hospital and multi-disciplinary
research collaboration.
The existence of the PRU creates new opportunities for the
exploration of innovative research methods and tools and for mentorship
during the formative phases of research development.
The PRU will promote research that is not typically
undertaken by its partner hospitals, nor funded by major
research foundations, yet critically important to advancing
childhood cancer control. This could include:
■ examination of the incidence and trends in childhood cancer
for the purposes of tracking and forecasting cancer in
children
■ evaluation of programs and models of care delivery
■
■
health-economic investigations
health-related quality of life research
POGO is uniquely able to carry out its selected areas of
research because of the breadth of disciplines it encompasses, its
access to an entire population, and its unique database, POGO-
NIS (Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario Networked Information
System). It is imperative that the PRU capitalize on the momentum
achieved during the first, low-budget years of existence, and that
its significant potential to contribute to the advancement of pediatric
cancer care and control is fully realized.
Some of the studies to date and their implications are
described below:
A Projection of the Future Demand for Pediatric Cancer
Services and a Determination of the Staffing Funding
Required—POGO researchers analyzed patterns and trends in
cancer incidence among children, and determined the number
of adolescents with cancer cared for outside the pediatric
oncology network, in order to anticipate and ready the system
for the future demand for services. Staffing, funding and health
policy implications were presented to the Ontario Ministry of
Health & Long-Term Care. As a result, funding for teams of multidisciplinary
staff has flowed from government to all the POGO
hospitals across Ontario, in accordance with staff-to-patient
ratios determined by POGO.
An Exploration of the Risk Factors for Childhood
Cancer—A number of studies were undertaken to investigate
the relationship between environmental exposure and the child’s
genetic ability to permit or obstruct the development of childhood
malignancies. These studies addressed the development of
Brain Tumours, Osteosarcoma (one of the most common
tumours of adolescence), malignant Germ Cell Tumours (a poorly
understood category of malignancy), and Neuroblastoma. The
latter study investigates the relationship of Neuroblastoma to
dietary supplementation.
DR. GREENBERG APPOINTED
OFFICER OF ORDER OF CANADA
POGO is proud to announce that Dr. Mark Greenberg was
appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in recognition of
his work to reduce the trauma of childhood cancer on patients
and their families. As former Chief of Oncology at Toronto's
Hospital for Sick Children and with POGO, he initiated a system
of care that addresses both the medical and psychosocial needs
of patients. Equally involved with international cancer organizations
as with grassroots projects, he is beloved by patients and
respected by students and colleagues as a man of immense
compassion and humanity.
An Investigation of the Pediatric Oncology Nursing
Workforce—POGO nurse researchers surveyed their ranks to
determine the current education levels, experience and age distribution
of childhood cancer nurses, as well as the proportions
of their time spent in care, research, teaching and administration.
This investigation enabled POGO to anticipate shortages and
educational needs, and to develop strategies designed to prevent
nursing shortages experienced in other jurisdictions.
A Series of Studies Probing Quality of Life of Survivors —
Six quality of life studies are underway, investigating the relation-
POGO: An update 9

ship of disease and treatment to the health and psychosocial outcomes
of survivors. These studies will lead to an increased understanding
of the late effects of childhood cancer and its treatment.
They will permit researchers and clinicians to re-evaluate current
treatment approaches and to identify interventions with the
potential to moderate the impact of factors found to impair later
quality of survival.
Future plans for childhood cancer research to be undertaken
by the PRU include:
■ further study of risk factors for childhood cancer;
■ continued pursuit of the most effective ways to deliver care
and to ensure access to care;
■ further development of the culture of collaboration and
research partnerships.
■
■
■
In order to fulfill its mission, the PRU will also focus on:
securing requisite financial and human resources and essential
infrastructure;
further development of the capacity of the POGO
Networked Information System (POGONIS) to support
research;
the full integration of the POGO Chair in Childhood Cancer
Control and the Chair’s research agenda.
POGO FAMILY FUN DAY
Over 150 families attended the 2002 POGO Family Fun Day at
Camp Green Acres this spring. The various POGO fundraising
events have successfully raised money and awareness of childhood
cancer and POGO's work.
DATA DEVELOPMENT
POGO has built and maintains a database and registry of childhood
cancer called POGONIS (Pediatric Oncology Group of
Ontario Networked Information System). The purpose of POGO-
NIS is to monitor the incidence and prevalence of cancer in childhood,
the demand for care, and the long-term effects of malignancy
in childhood and its treatment. This database is a dynamic,
unique, and state-of-the-art repository of information on all
children with malignant disease treated in POGO centres. It is
essential for planning new programs and ensuring that decisions
about where to locate these are informed. The comprehensive
nature of the POGO database has led to:
■
■
■
■
reliable information on the incidence of childhood cancer in
the province;
accurate projections of the number of children to be treated
in future decades;
forecasting the number of staff needed in relation to the
number of patients/ families who will need care;
a clear understanding of where the children live, in relation
to where they are treated.
POGONIS has generated a great deal of interest. Requests
for data are typically received from speakers, researchers, policy
makers and service planners across Ontario and Canada. The
discussions between these applicants and knowledgeable
POGO database staff, often lead to more sophisticated research
questions, exploration of additional implications for pediatric
oncology, and thus greater potential for both knowledge and
the application of that knowledge.
The database was the brainchild of Dr. Mark Greenberg,
now the Medical Director and POGO Chair in Childhood Cancer
Control. The idea was embraced by pediatric oncology programs
which grasped immediately the contribution they could
make to the field by contributing anonymous data on every child
treated. Their commitment to this endeavor has never faltered.
Funding from Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care,
which began in FY 1992-93, permitted the POGO network to
acquire paid data management staff, and enabled the conversion
of the POGO database from a manual to a networked, electronic
information system, greatly increasing its accessibility and
utility for POGO programs and researchers.
POGONIS, coupled with the knowledge capital represented
within POGO's Board and standing committees, is the cornerstone
of POGO’s ability to provide expert advice and planning for
the province.
10 POGO: An update

A MESSAGE FROM
DR. MARK GREENBERG
POGO CHAIR IN CHILDHOOD CANCER CONTROL & MEDICAL DIRECTOR
The POGO Chair in Childhood Cancer Control and the position
of Medical Director of POGO were created as complementary
roles to achieve integration between education and
research into childhood cancer control and the practical
delivery of childhood cancer care across the province of
Ontario in order to enhance care and survival of children
with cancer. The combined mandate of these roles is to develop
evidence-based policies, guidelines and programs for delivering
care to children with cancer—work that encompasses treatment
and cure as well as quality of life and family well-being.
Important responsibilities of the Chair include:
■ developing practice guidelines with the institutions and professionals
who care for children with cancer;
■ working with government to develop new programs;
■ advising on the allocation of scarce health care resources
across the province;
■ facilitating new research programs;
■ consulting on programs to assist families to emerge from the
rigors of treatment as intact as is possible; and
■ enabling survivors to live as normal and productive lives as
is possible.
Much of this is achieved by the creation of programs that
help children with cancer all over the province through diagnosis,
treatment, survival, and even the end of life. My work is a collaboration
with experts in areas such as biological sciences, epidemiology,
health economics and health policy, and includes regular
consultation with patients, survivors, and their families.
Increasingly, I am called upon to share POGO prototypes and programs
with other jurisdictions across Canada and internationally.
The establishment of the POGO Chair in Childhood Cancer
Control has enabled POGO to focus on several important initiatives
to date. These include:
■ The design, development and updating of guidelines for
care in a network of community satellite care centres (the
Provincial Pediatric Oncology Satellite Program, or PPOSP),
designed by POGO, which enable children to receive certain
aspects of their care closer to home. These programs
minimize the disruption lengthy cancer treatment can cause
on the lives of the children and their families. An evaluation
of the effectiveness of this system will be undertaken.
■
■
■
■
The realization of the POGO Research Unit (PRU). This unit
will enhance clinical care, research, and policy development,
which will translate into better care and better outcomes
for the children. Some research is already underway
and the PRU is expected to be fully functioning as soon as
funding is secure.
The development of guidelines and a province-wide system
for the care of survivors of childhood cancer, a significant
proportion of whom have serious long-term complications
after cure. This network of clinics is referred to as AfterCare
Clinics. A research base is built into this care network.
The development of guidelines for the preservation of fertility
of children undergoing potentially sterilizing therapy is
underway.
Advancement of POGONIS, the Pediatric Oncology Group
of Ontario Networked Information System. POGONIS is a
POGO: An update 11

unique population-focused database created to track care and outcomes
of survivors of childhood cancer, evaluate service delivery, and
enable research on the population of patients and survivors. Using
POGONIS, several studies are underway, in which I participate.
These include:
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
an evaluation of the impact of incremental funding for childhood
cancer care delivery, secured by POGO, to assess adequacy and timeliness
of care delivered to childhood cancer patients;
a study evaluating the out-of-pocket costs to families of children with
cancer, to fully assess their needs, and aid in the administration and
development of a Family Assistance Program;
studies predicting trends in incidences of childhood cancer, which
will influence planning and resource allocation for Ontario;
an investigation into the impact of changes in diet on the incidence
of childhood cancer;
a study of quality of life of children and families in acute care hospitals;
a study of the determinants of outcomes in childhood medulloblastoma,
a childhood brain tumor. This can uniquely be done in Ontario
because of the population-based data that are available;
a population-based study of the quality of life of survivors of
Childhood and Adolescent Hodgkin’s Disease.
The cancer care community is committed to education which
remains a top priority for POGO and the POGO Chair in Childhood Cancer
Control. I was pleased to convene and co-ordinate continuing education
endeavours, including the POGO Multidisciplinary Symposium in 2001,
"Beyond Cure: Care and Consequences", which focused on survivorship in
childhood cancer, and the 2002 Symposium on “Care at the End of Life”.
In addition, continuing education programs have been created and delivered
for satellite and community caregivers to better allow devolved care in
the community.
As inaugural Chair holder, I am proud to collaborate with Ontario’s
leaders in childhood cancer control to enhance the care of those afflicted
with childhood cancer. Together, our vision is to provide cutting
edge care, enhance systems that provide that care and ensure precious
resources are used effectively. We are committed to working
with other institutions to advance care, research, education and
knowledge transfer in Ontario, Canada and across the globe.
Thank you for supporting the POGO Chair in Childhood Cancer
Control and recognizing the importance of research and education to the
children we all hold so dear.
Dr. Mark Greenberg
POGO Chair in Childhood Cancer Control
Medical Director
“
The Chair should make a powerful
difference to the cause of children with
cancer. People will know we’re not here for a
year or three years or five years; people will
know that we’re here for the long, long haul
and this Chair will be the centrepiece of the
”
POGO effort.
— J. Robert S. Prichard,
Former President,
University of Toronto
12 POGO: An update

A MESSAGE FROM POGO’S
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE CHAIR
As the Chair of the POGO
Fundraising Committee, it is my pleasure
to report on our fundraising activities.At
the end of 1999, we established the
POGO Chair in Childhood Cancer
Control. As of September, 2002, nearly $3
million has been raised (see report from
the University of Toronto on page 14) in
the Chair endowment fund. This has
been made possible through the generosity
of hundreds of individuals and corporations
who have made donations and
sponsored and attended our fundraising
events. In addition, sponsorship dollars
have subsidized the expenses of the
annual POGO Symposia on Childhood
Cancer which provide valuable continuing
education to pediatric oncology professionals. On behalf
of POGO and the children we serve, I extend my sincerest
thanks to all our supporters. It is heartwarming to witness how
many of you have opened your hearts to such an important
cause.
On behalf of POGO, I would like to congratulate my
daughter and partner in POGO Fundraising, Vanessa Melman
Yakobson, her colleague Judy Kopelow, her friend Carolyn
Ansley, and the volunteers of the POGO Fundraising
Committee for the tremendous success of POGO fundraising
events. The 1st Annual Gala at Casa Loma, the "Spy Casino",
hosted over 500 people for an evening of food, dancing and
casino games, all in support of the POGO Chair. The Camp
Green Acres Family Fun Day for POGO brought out over 150
families for a day of fun and games. In addition to raising
approximately $200,000 for the Chair to date, our various
events have also resulted in important publicity and media coverage
for POGO and our cause.
POGO has benefited from tremendous community support
in 2002, with Cedarvale School, Forest Hill Public School,
the Rocket to Freedom Party, and Golf Town’s Golf Tournament
all organizing events to benefit POGO. Funds raised from these
events will be included in the 2002/2003 report.
I am pleased to report that as of Fall, 2002, the Canada
Customs and Revenue Agency is reviewing our application to
endow charitable status upon the POGO Childhood Cancer
Foundation. Upon receipt of a charitable registration number,
the Foundation will facilitate fundraising
efforts and provide an important source
of additional revenue for POGO. This revenue
will enable POGO to expand the
scope of work it currently does, and help
it to fulfill its mission. Vanessa Melman
Yakobson and Judy Kopelow, currently
acting as POGO’s Development Officers,
will move over to the Foundation, ensuring
a continued efficient and dynamic
relationship with all POGO’s supporters. I
will also play a key role in Foundation
activities and, in that capacity, will call
upon the continued generosity and
determination of our supporters to
ensure excellence in research, education
and front line patient care.
Please accept my heartfelt gratitude for your generous
support of POGO. Thanks to you, children with cancer in
Ontario will get the best chance possible to survive and thrive.
Anthony Melman
Fundraising Committee Chair
POGO: An update 13

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
POGO CHAIR IN CHILDHOOD
CANCER CONTROL
(Established at December 7, 1999)
Statement of Endowment Fund
For the Year Ended April 30, 2002 (with comparative figures for the year ended April 30, 2001)
2001-02 2000-01
Book value of endowment
Balance, beginning of the year
Donations (additions)
University matching
Gain on sale of donated shares
Balance, end of the year
$ $
2,215,403.49 1,618,733.15
526,031.36 569,721.59
447.00 25,625.00
— 1,323.75
2,741,881.85 2,215,403.49
Market value of endowment
2,482,992.92 2,084,802.00
FACTS ABOUT CHILDHOOD CANCER
■
Cancer is the leading disease-related
cause of death in Ontario children.
About 100 Ontario children succumb
to cancer every year.
■
Survivorship in the pediatric population
has improved across all diagnoses
during the past 20 years. It is now 75
percent.
■
By the year 2010, it is estimated that
one in 250–400 young adults (aged
15 to 45) will be a survivor of childhood
cancer.
■
Between 1987 and 2000, pediatric
cancer cases have risen 16 percent,
due to the growth in Ontario’s population,
and an absolute increase in the
incidence of certain cancer types.
■
Treatment of childhood cancers are
typically intense, causing severe illness
and complications, and in some cases
resulting in long-term medical consequences.
■
The psychological and social impact
of childhood cancer can be significant.
It may include problems of coping
and adjustment of patient, siblings
and parents, lapsed school
achievement, learning deficits, and
financial distress of the family.
14 POGO: An update

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS SINCE 2000!
1015284 Ontario Inc
1100305 Ontario Inc.
1194516 Ontario Inc
1194516 Ontario Inc
677345 Ontario Limited
Bregman Ventures
Agnico-Eagle Mines
Limited
Alan Newton Real Estate
Ltd
Amadeus Capital
Corporation
APJL Sales & Service Ltd
Bank of Montreal
Bank of Nova Scotia
Benjamin Moore &
Company
Bima Glowinsky
Blake, Cassels & Graydon
LLP
Bobby Freeman
Burnac Corporation
Canadian Young Judaea
Cara Operations Limited
CIBC World Markets
Cott Beverages Canada
Counsel Corporation
Credit Suisse First Boston
Credit Suisse First Boston
(Canada)
Daphna Saks
Davies Ward Phillips &
Vineberg LLP
Dominion Rug
Dr. Benjamin Massouda
Dr. Corin Greenberg
Dr. David Lewittes
Dr. David Macklin
Dr. Diane Sacks
Dr. Eleanor Pask
Dr. G F Mutch
Dr. Ghassan A Al-Othman
Dr. Harriet P Train
Dr. Howard Rocket
Dr. Jason A Caplan
Dr. Jeffrey J Lipsitz
Dr. Jill M Thomas
Dr. Joanne Pouchet
Dr. John Gasner
Dr. Jordan Soll
Dr. Libby Ruth Garshowitz
Dr. Louis Cole
Dr. Mark L Greenberg
Dr. Mark Ziedenberg
Dr. Robert A Dicker
Dr. Robert M. Ehrlich
Dr. Ron Wuls
Dr. Ronald L Landsberg
Dr. Seymour Hershenfeld
Dr. Sharon Mintz
Dr. Shobana Ananth
Dr. Sigmund H Ein
Dynamic Fund
Foundation
Erin Foot
European Furniture
Forest Hill Public School -
Pogo Events
Global Television
Network Inc
Gluskin Sheff + Associates
Inc
Hanna's Piano Studio
Harrowston Incorporated
Harvey Kalles Real Estate
Inc
Hidden Creek Industries
Ltd
Hudson's Bay Company
Ipros Corp
It's All About Saftey Inc
Ivesuz Investments Ltd
J S Robinson
Jack & Cheryl Friedman
Labelad
Lego Canada Inc
Live Wire Digital Imaging
Inc
McKinsey & Company
Incorporated
MDC Corporation Inc
Merrill Lynch Canada Inc
Michael Miloff and
Associates
Mondial Media Marketing
Inc
Morgan Stanley Canada
Ltd
Morris Rose Ledgett
Mr. A Gerold Goldlist
Mr. Abie Himmel
Mr. Adam Bourke
Mr. Al Kochen
Mr. Al Schwartzberg
Mr. Alan Bossin
Mr. Alen Tweymam
Mr. Alex Lutsky
Mr. Alex Vitale
Mr. Alexander Kojfman
Mr. Alexander
Mishchenko
Mr. Allan Bank
Mr. Allan Young
Mr. Alter Szainwald
Mr. Alvin Shidlowski
Mr. Andrew Duckman
Mr. Andrew Kichler
Mr. Andrew Sheiner
Mr. Andrew Wickett
Mr. Andy Mayer
Mr. Angelo Rizzo
Mr. Anthony J Martini
Mr. Anthony Munk
Mr. Anthony Puppi
Mr. Anthony R Melman
Mr. Antonio Costa
Mr. Arnie Hochman
Mr. Arthur Sterm
Mr. Astor Zieper
Mr. B Borenstein
Mr. Barry Cracower
Mr. Barry J Reiter
Mr. Barry Luter
Mr. Barry Razmov
Mr. Ben Ullrich
Mr. Ben Urovitz
Mr. Benny Hollander
Mr. Bernie Betel
Mr. Bill Atkinson
Mr. Bliss A. White
Mr. Bob Saunders
Mr. Boris Novosel
Mr. Bradley Crompton
Mr. Brian J. Chapman
Mr. Brian Kelly
Mr. Brian Steck
Mr. Bruce Rothney
Mr. Bryan Rakusin
Mr. Calvin S Goldman
Mr. Charles Horowitz
Mr. Charles M Winograd
Mr. Charles Stonehill
Mr. Chris McKinnon
Mr. Christopher A Govan
Mr. Christopher Blackwell
Mr. Colum McKinley
Mr. Daniel Chimenti
Mr. Daniel Kumer
Mr. Daniel Rayne
Mr. Dave Dagostino
Mr. Dave Miwa
Mr. David Carruthers
Mr. David E Horwood
Mr. David G Sciuk
Mr. David Gicza
Mr. David J Matlow
Mr. David Kachuk
Mr. David Kassie
Mr. David Kwinta
Mr. David Laren
Mr. David MacAleese
Mr. David Mirvish
Mr. David Newman
Mr. David P Jacobs
Mr. David Rubinstein
Mr. David Satok
Mr. David Schlesinger
Mr. David W Smith
Mr. Denis Bugeja
Mr. Denis S. Abrams
Mr. Don Tapscott
Mr. Don Ziraldo
Mr. Donald L Triggs
Mr. Donald Lewtas
Mr. Earl Rotman
Mr. Edward Schwartz
Mr. Elliot Greenberg
Mr. Elliot Lahman
Mr. Eric Friedman
Mr. Eric J Rosen
Mr. Eric Levitt
Mr. Erich Lamshoeft
Mr. Ernie Rubenstein
Mr. Eugene Katz
Mr. Ewout Heersink
Mr. F. Banks
Mr. Fred Neuburger
Mr. Gabriel Tsampalieros
Mr. Gary Gluckman
Mr. Gary Tile
Mr. Gavin McCulloch
Mr. Gerry W Schwartz &
Ms. Heather Reisman
Mr. Glen Oliver
Mr. Glenn Howard
Mr. Gordon Kroft
Mr. Gordon Nixon
Mr. Grant Stajer
Mr. Greg Clark
Mr. Greg Leclair
Mr. H Glowinsky
Mr. Harry Fox
Mr. Harry Melnik
Mr. Harry Turk
Mr. Harry Weisleder
Mr. Hartley R Nathan
Mr. Harvey Barry Gales
Mr. Harvey Hirsh
Mr. Harvey Kestenberg
Mr. Henry Bertossi
Mr. Henry Bruckstein
Mr. Herald L Ritch
Mr. Howard Biderman
Mr. Howard Black
Mr. Howard Chandler
Mr. Howard Green
Mr. Howard Hacker
Mr. Howard M Carr
Mr. Howard Shore
Mr. I Berl Nadler
Mr. I William Berger
Mr. Iain Kennedy
Mr. Ian Dinning
Mr. Ian N Kady
Mr. Ira Grossman
Mr. Irv Newman
Mr. Irving Gold
Mr. Irving Goldhar
Mr. Irwin J Choleva
Mr. Irwin M Prince
Mr. Issie B Grachnik
Mr. J Dubravac
Mr. J Graham Fell
Mr. Jack Pollak
Mr. Jack Straitman
Mr. Jack Weinbaum
Mr. James A. Clayton
Mr. James Ansley
Mr. James F Kay
Mr. James MacDonald
Mr. Jamie Isbister
Mr. Jamie Malus
Mr. Jay Goldberg
Mr. Jay Lichtenstein
Mr. Jeff Brown
Mr. Jeffery Neinstein
Mr. Jeffrey Dobson
Mr. Jeffrey N Schwartz
Mr. Jeremy Alter

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS SINCE 2000!
Mr. Jeremy Freedman
Mr. Jesse Clarke
Mr. Jimmy Elkind
Mr. Joe Cascone
Mr. Joe Prodar
Mr. Joel Flatt
Mr. Joel Hock
Mr. Joel I Greenberg
Mr. Joel Wise
Mr. Joel Zelikovitz
Mr. John Coombs
Mr. John G Troiano
Mr. John Giffen
Mr. John Hughes
Mr. John J Long
Mr. John MacKinnon
Mr. John P Rossos
Mr. John S Hunkin
Mr. Jon Day
Mr. Jonathan Deitcher
Mr. Jonathan Kirshblum
Mr. Jordan Banks
Mr. Joseph Elmaleh
Mr. Joseph Randazzo
Mr. Joseph Wolfe
Mr. Keith Alnwick
Mr. Keith D Murch
Mr. Ken Divine
Mr. Ken Huguessen
Mr. Ken J Coome
Mr. Kenneth Bloomberg
Mr. Kenneth Rathgeber
Mr. Kevin Douces
Mr. Kevin Sullivan
Mr. Kirby Gavelin
Mr. Kurniawan Welly
Mr. Larry Matus
Mr. Lawrence Pick
Mr. Leon Blum
Mr. Leon Katz
Mr. Luciano Picheca
Mr. Manfred Stier
Mr. Mark Chandler
Mr. Mark E Briggs
Mr. Mark Goldemberg
Mr. Mark Hilson
Mr. Mark M Gryfe
Mr. Mark Maybank
Mr. Mark Render
Mr. Mark Satok
Mr. Mark Simon
Mr. Marv Davis
Mr. Michael Bellman
Mr. Michael Childs
Mr. Michael D Azulay
Mr. Michael Davidson
Mr. Michael Kalles
Mr. Michael Kay
Mr. Michael Latner
Mr. Michael Sepiashvili
Mr. Michael Turk
Mr. Michael W Ball
Mr. Michael Wilson
Mr. Michael Wuhls
Mr. Michael Yermus
Mr. Mike Eisenstein
Mr. Mitchell Gilbert
Mr. Morris Lewenberg
Mr. Morris Rapoport
Mr. Morris Weisdorf
Mr. Neil M Brown
Mr. Neil M Selfe
Mr. Neil Melman
Mr. Neill Judelman
Mr. Nigel Wright
Mr. Noel Houtteman
Mr. Oded Levi
Mr. Owen Duckman
Mr. Paul Leonidis
Mr. Paul M Cohen
Mr. Paul Spafford
Mr. Peter A Drutz
Mr. Peter Berczi
Mr. Peter C Bowers
Mr. Peter L Buzzi
Mr. Philip Holan
Mr. Rahul Suri
Mr. Randy Satok
Mr. Ray Max
Mr. Raymond Grosberg
Mr. Reggie Levenstadt
Mr. Rene Geist
Mr. Richard E Venn
Mr. Richard Epstein
Mr. Richard Kalmin
Mr. Richard S Wernham
Mr. Rob Spindler
Mr. Robert Beliak
Mr. Robert D Dias
Mr. Robert Duke Grandy
Mr. Robert E Hallagan
Mr. Robert I Crosbie
Mr. Robert M LeBlanc
Mr. Robert Paskulin
Mr. Robert Racko
Mr. Roger L Martin
Mr. Ron Coady
Mr. Ronald Farmer
Mr. Ronald Prosserman
Mr. Ronnie Mandowsky
Mr. Rony Schlapfer
Mr. Russell Hoffman
Mr. Russell Levy
Mr. Ryan J Saunders
Mr. Sam Crystal
Mr. Sam Rosenberg
Mr. Sandy Sernaker
Mr. Sean Gilbert
Mr. Seth M Mersky
Mr. Seth Weinstein
Mr. Seymour Haber
Mr. Seymour Rosenblatt
Mr. Shawn D. Porter
Mr. Shawn Richmor
Mr. Sheldon Parks
Mr. Sidney Zigah
Mr. Simmy Mayer
Mr. Stan Raphael
Mr. Stan Segal
Mr. Stan Zukerman
Mr. Stanley H Feldman
Mr. Stanley M Goldstein
Mr. Stephen Codas
Mr. Stephen Florence
Mr. Stephen Karr
Mr. Stephen Pincus
Mr. Steve Katz
Mr. Steve Posen
Mr. Steve Till
Mr. Steven Halperin
Mr. Steven Israel
Mr. Steven L Winokur
Mr. Steven Marks
Mr. Steven Spears
Mr. Terrence G Hibbert
Mr. Thomas O Harbison
Mr. Thomas P Dea
Mr. Thomas Rusnov
Mr. Tim Webster
Mr. Timothy A
Duncanson
Mr. Timothy P Stinson
Mr. Tom Silverman
Mr. Victor Paul
Mr. Vincent Mercier
Mr. W. Stajer
Mr. William H Strong
Mr. William Michael
Ainley
Mr. William P Molson
Mr. Y J Mirza
Mrs. Al Yuffa
Mrs. Ali Taradash
Mrs. Barbara Axel
Mrs. Batia Gortler
Mrs. Bella Rabinowicz
Mrs. Bruna Di Monte
Mrs. Carol Kaplan
Mrs. Carolyn Abugov
Mrs. Carrie Gelkopf
Mrs. Cheryl D Harris
Mrs. Deborah A Rocket
Mrs. Diane Hollander
Mrs. Donna Goldman
Mrs. Doreen B Rakusin
Mrs. Doreen Zucker
Mrs. Eleanor Barlin-
Daniels
Mrs. Ellise G Gasner
Mrs. Evette Seroda
Mrs. Evie Shulman
Mrs. Freda Yermus
Mrs. Frieda Torkin
Mrs. Gail Fenwick
Mrs. Helen A. Craig
Mrs. Helen Litman
Mrs. Irma Robinson
Mrs. Jennifer Rowsell
Mrs. Joan M Schatz
Mrs. Justine E Fernie
Mrs. Karen Bookman
Mrs. Kathryn Grossman
Mrs. Larisa Yakobson
Mrs. Laura Steinhauer
Mrs. Leah Duckman
Mrs. Lee Kraemer
Mrs. Lili A Davis-Burchat
Mrs. Lilia Kharlip
Mrs. Lillian Winton
Mrs. Linda Judelman
Mrs. Lori Goldenberg
Mrs. Louise Glicksman
Mrs. Lynne Morrison
Mrs. Margot Zukerman
Mrs. Marjorie MacKinnon
Mrs. Merill L Kichler
Mrs. Mindy Tayar
Mrs. O Margaret Colman
Mrs. Phyllis Clarfield
Mrs. Phyllis R Brodkin
Mrs. Robyn Greenspan
Mrs. Roslyn Roth
Mrs. Ruth Levine
Mrs. Ruth Trinier
Mrs. S Sugar
Mrs. Sandi Cracower
Mrs. Sandra Ossip
Taradash
Mrs. Sherry Zweig
Mrs. Shirley Rosenberg
Mrs. Stacy Rosenberg
Mrs. Susan Gortler
Mrs. Susan Wineberg
Mrs. Sylvia Bermack
Mrs. Tamara Dawn Finch
Mrs. Tobie Bekhor
Mrs. Valerie Melman
Mrs. Vivien Cohen
Mrs. Vivien T Sharon
Mrs. Yona Barzilay
Ms. Adele Freeman
Ms. Airinda Neto
Ms. Alexandra Halpert
Ms. Alison Green
Ms. Allison Whiteman
Ms. Alka Dhir
Ms. Amie Rocket
Ms. Amy Au
Ms. Amy Greenberg
Ms. Andrea Hirshberg
Ms. Andreana Rust
Ms. Angela Trope
Ms. Anna Di Manno
Ms. Anne Marie DiManno
Ms. Annette Blum
Ms. Asta K. M. Dvorak
Ms. Audrey Ronoff
Ms. Aviva Grinberg
Ms. Barbara Gomperts
Ms. Becky Eisen
Rosenberg
Ms. Bella Slimukoff
Ms. Bernice Litman
Ms. Bernice Penciner
Ms. Bernice Stern
Ms. Betty Lowenstein
Ms. Bianca Israeli
Ms. Bonnie Chandler
Ms. Carla J Nicolson
Ms. Carol J Watt
Ms. Carole J Munro
Ms. Carolyn F Watson
Ms. Carolyn Feldman
Ms. Carolyne L Gosling
Ms. Caryl Baker
Ms. Catherina Mackowski
Ms. Catharine Fennell
Ms. Cathy Kaufman
Ms. Cindy Turk
Ms. Connie Kussner
Ms. Cynthia R
Cooperstone
Ms. Dale Plyley
Ms. Debby Turk
Ms. Deborah M
Bloomberg
Ms. Deborah Smith-
Webber
Ms. Debra Reiskind
Ms.Deganit Levy
Ms. Denise Brudner-
Weingarten
Ms. Diana Dante
Ms. Diana Jordan
Ms. Diane Fennell
Ms. Dorothy Wuls
Ms. Elaine Kunda
Ms. Elania Kirsh
Ms. Eleanor McGrath
Ms. Eleonor Hendershot
Ms. Elizabeth L Delbianco
Ms. Elizabeth Vespasiami
Ms. Elizabeth Wolfstadt
Ms. Ellen P Cosman
Ms. Erin Baker
Ms. Erin J Lemon
Ms. Estelle Feld
Ms. Esther Cheskes
Ms. Esther Green
Ms. Eva Nightingale
Ms. Ewa Yousufzai
Ms. Faith Halman
Ms. Felicia Jacobs
Ms. Fiona Buchan
Ms. Francy Kussner
Ms. Frieda Iscove
Ms. Gail Zalev
Ms. Geri Winemaker
Ms. Gila Ossip
Ms. Gina Arezza
Ms. Gina M Caldarelli
Ms. Glynis A. Henry
Ms. Goldie Litwin
Ms. Grace Lok
Ms. Haley D Field
Ms. Hanna Shlesinger
Ms. Heidi Miller
Ms. Helen Lepek
Ms. Helen Schwartz
Ms. Helen Tannenbaum
Ms. Helena Blum
Ms. Ida Dick
Ms. Indiana Pirau
Ms. Inga Birfer
16 POGO: An update

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS SINCE 2000!
Ms. Irene Clarfield
Ms. Isabel Herling
Ms. Isabelle Edgecumbe
Ms. Jaimie Grossman
Ms. Jane Clifford
Ms. Jane Herman
Ms. Janice Brooks
Ms. Janice Feldberg
Ms. Janice Nathanson
Ms. Jennifer Ansley
Ms. Jennifer Badame
Ms. Jennifer E Sipos
Ms. Jennifer Gales
Ms. Jennifer Koffman
Ms. Jennifer Kominek
Ms. Jennifer Lynn Steckel
Ms. Jill Farber
Ms. Jill Flicht
Ms. Joan Pace
Ms. Joan Rosenthal
Ms. Joanne Richmond
Ms. Jodi C Tanenbaum
Ms. Joni Goldlust
Ms. Judy Greenwald
Ms. Judy Wolfe
Ms. Julie A Feldman
Ms. Julie Purkis
Ms. Julie Sindalovsky
Ms. Justine Melman
Ms. Karen A Foley
Ms. Karen Gough
Ms. Katherine Richards
Ms. Kathryn From
Ms. Katy Waugh
Ms. Kelly L. Toms
Ms. Kelly Smith
Ms. Kerry Jameson
Ms. Kerry Smith Sacks
Ms. Kim Alexander
Ms. Kim Carmichael
Ms. Laura Sousa
Ms. Lee B Vernich
Ms. Leslie M Haber
Ms. Lila Satok
Ms. Lily Stoll
Ms. Lina Correi
Ms. Linda Katz
Ms. Linda M Westlund
Ms. Lindsay Jones
Ms. Lisa A Berkovitz
Ms. Lisa Hock
Ms. Lissie Sanders
Ms. Liza Mauer
Ms. Lora Spektor
Ms. Lorelei R Wilkinson
Ms. Loretta Brown
Ms. Lori Anne Alter
Ms. Lori Rosenthal
Ms. Lorie S Ayukawa
Ms. Louisa Hostick
Ms. Louise Dimonte
Ms. Lucy Steinfeld
Ms. Margaret Porter
Ms. Maria Maglietta
Ms. Marilyn Firestone
Ms. Marilyn Gilbert
Ms. Marilyn Taitz
Ms. Marissa Sari Rubinoff
Ms. Marni Lokash
Ms. Marnie Toben
Ms. Marsha Goldstein
Ms. Martha Sud
Ms. Mary Anne Loftus
Ms. Mehre Zuckerman
Ms. Melissa Grossman
Ms. Melissa Muskat
Ms. Micheline Kleiner
Ms. Michelle Abbot
Ms. Missy Maister
Ms. Molly Epstein
Ms. Nadine Tytel
Ms. Nancy Hamilton
Ms. Nancy Kalifer
Ms. Nicole Galimsky
Ms. Norma Baram
Ms. Paula B. Klein
Ms. Paula Birnbaum
Ms. Paula S. Feig
Ms. Paula T Trussman
Ms. Pearl Kronis
Ms. Rachel Egan
Ms. Rachel Fisher
Ms. Rachel Michelle
Braun
Ms. Raissa Shestatsky
Ms. Rebecca Greenberg
Ms. Rena Goldstein
Ms. Rhonda Silverstone
Ms. Riwaz Sepiashvili
Ms. Rochelle Ironstone
Ms. Ronda Green
Ms. Rosalie Naster
Ms. Rosalyn Leese
Ms. Rosanna Beth
Breitman
Ms. Rose Simone
Ms. Rose Straitman
Ms. Rosie Tizzoli
AMGEN
ANDERSEN
Ashford Cleaners
Asta Medica
Auto Control Medical
Baxter
Benjamin's Funeral Home
Borden Ladner Gervais
Boston Scientific
Canadian Cancer Society
CGI
Chestnut Park Realty
Childcan
Cimram
City of Toronto, The Mayor's
Ms. Roslyn Goldmintz
Ms. Rowena Zamora
Ms. Ruth Carbell
Ms. Ruth Greiver
Ms. Sacha S Hayward
Ms. Sally Abrams
Ms. Sandra Brown
Ms. Sankey A. Johnson
Ms. Sara Ehrlich
Ms. Sarah Ryerson
Ms. Sarah A Scott
Ms. Seanna Millar
Ms. Shannon Moore
Ms. Shannon Weir
Ms. Sharon Krikst
Ms. Shawna Page
Ms. Sheldon Barris
Ms. Sheldon Freeman
Ms. Shelly Zimmer
Ms. Sherri Cygelfarb
Ms. Sheryl Berg
Ms. Shirley Korenblum
Ms. Simone Bronfman
Ms. Sophie Zukerman
Ms. Stacey Low
Ms. Stacey Mendelson
Ms. Sue Ferri
Ms. Susan Austin
Ms. Susan E Grace
Ms. Susan Eidelman
Ms. Susan Freedman
Ms. Susan Kendall
Ms. Susan Speigel
Ms. Susan Strong
Ms. Tammy Herzog
Ms. Tanya Giorgio
Ms. Tara Burns
Ms. Terry Grachnik
Ms. Theresa W Mersky
Ms. Tina Brooks
Ms. Tracy Posner
Ms. Vanessa Yakobson
Ms. Victoria Hand
Ms. Wendy Himmel
Ms. Yolanda Fernandez
Ms. Zehavit Markovzki
Ms. Zira Shmorgun
Murphy's Food Sales &
Marketing
Naresh Tejpal
Office
Cover-All
Dominion
EMI Music Canada
Famous Players
Fasken Martineau
Karen Foley
Glaxo Smith Kline
Goodmans
Heathbrige Graham Inc.
Kalles Real Estate
Kiddie Proofers
Knight Bain Seath &
Holbrook
Lego
National Bank Financial
Inc
Nestle Canada
Incorporated
Nestle Nutrition
New Paradigm Learning
Corporation
Newcrest Capital Inc
Old Dutch Food Ltd
Onex Corporation
P & O Global Investment
Inc
Pat Roy
Pediatric Oncology
Group of Ontario
staff
Pilot Insurance Co Inc
PKW Communications
Ltd
Quadrant Marketing Ltd
R E Lax
RBC Capital Markets
Reliance Aerotech
Canada Inc
Rio Can Financial
Services
Rite-Chrome Furniture
Manufacturing
Company Limited
Rocket to Freedom
Charitable Fund
Roots Canada
Royop Properties
Corporation
Rozon Insurance Brokers
Sari Goldberg
Shainey Silver
Shoppers Drug Mart
Shore, Newman & Rose
LLP
Livewire Digital Imaging Inc.
McCarthy Tetrault
Minute Maid
Nestle Canada
Nestle Nutrition
New Balance
Nuline Realty
Old Dutch
Pharmacia
Pilot Insurance Company
Pricewaterhouse Coopers
RBC Royal Bank
Rexall
RH Carter Architects Inc.
Sandylion Stickers
Succession Capital
Corporation
Summit View Homes Ltd
Sun Life Assurance Co of
Canada
TD Bank Financial Group
TD Securities
The Backroom - Designer
Imports Inc
The D H Gales Family
Charitable
Foundation of
Toronto
The Fred A Litwin Family
Foundation
The Howard and Carole
Tanenbaum Family
Charitable
Foundation
The Ira Gluskin & Maxine
Granovsky Charitable
Foundation
The Minute Maid
Company Canada Inc
The Ripplewood
Foundation Inc
Thompson Lightstone &
Co Ltd
Tiffany & Co
Toronto Blue Jays
Baseball Club
Toronto Professional Fire
Fighter's Association
Toronto Stock Exchange
Inc.
Torstar Corporation
Torys LLP
Universal Music
V Squared Sales Inc
Voula Tascone
Wierzbniker Friendly
Mutual Benefit
Wierzbniter Ladie's
Auxiliary
WTF Group
Wycliffe Management
Services
Yo Inc
POGO EVENT SPONSORS & IN-KIND DONATIONS
Scotia Capital
Scotia Mcleod
Secured Courier
Shoppers Drugmart
Tammy Letner Centre
TD Commercial Banking
TD Securities
Tetra Pak
The Bay
Thompson Lightstone
Trillium Childhood Cancer
Support Centre
Unite Communications
Christa Wessel
POGO: An update 17

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DR. RONALD D. BARR (President)
Chief of Service, Pediatric
Hematology/Oncology
Department of Pediatrics
Children's Hospital, Hamilton Health
Sciences Corporation
DR. MARIANA SILVA (Treasurer)
Head, Division of Pediatric
Hematology/Oncology
Kingston General Hospital
DR. VICTOR S. BLANCHETTE (Secretary)
Chief, Division of
Haematology/Oncology
The Hospital for Sick Children
DR. MARU BARRERA
Child/Health Psychologist
Department of Psychology
The Hospital for Sick Children
DR. BETH CAIRNEY
Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist
Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
MS. MARILYN CASSIDY
Pediatric Interlink Nurse Consultant
Interlink Community Cancer Nurses/
Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
MR. WILLIAM FRID
Senior Consultant
Trillium Childhood Cancer Support
Centre
MRS. JANET GAMMON
Nurse Coordinator/Clinical Research
Associate
New Agent & Innovative Therapy
Program, Oncology
The Hospital for Sick Children
DR. MARK L. GREENBERG
Medical Director, Pediatric Oncology
Group of Ontario (POGO)
Senior Pediatric Oncologist, The
Hospital for Sick Children
DR. CORIN GREENBERG
Executive Director
Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario
(POGO)
DR. JACQUELINE HALTON
Acting Chief, Division of
Hematology/Oncology
Medical Director, Oncology/MDU PSU
Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
DR. LAWRENCE JARDINE
Head, Section of Pediatric
Hematology/Oncology
Children's Hospital of Western Ontario
DR. K.H. LUKE
Chief, Hematology/Blood Bank
Division of Lab Medicine
Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
STAFF
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dr. Corin Greenberg
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Dr. Mark Greenberg
EPIDEMIOLOGIST
Dr. Mohammed Agha
POGO CONFERENCES
Ms. Helen Craig
POGONIS & DATA REQUESTS
Ms. Bruna DiMonte
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Ms. Susan Grace
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Ms. Judy Kopelow
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Ms. Vanessa Yakobson
CLINICAL PROGRAMS COORDINATOR
Ms. Lesley Collins
POFAP & INTERLINK PROGRAMS
Ms. Vanessa Foran
ADVISORY COUNCIL
MS. JOCELYN LAMONT
Executive Director
Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Trust
of Eastern Ontario and Western
Quebec
Parent of a child with cancer
MRS. SUSAN KUCZYNSKI
Co-Chair
Ontario Parents Advocating for
Childhood Cancer (OPACC)
Parent of a child with cancer
DR. SANDRA NUTTALL
Hospital/Special Projects Consultant
Institutions Branch
Ontario Ministry of Health
MS. NIKKI PARKINSON
Survivor
MRS. SUSAN SMITH
Vice President, Specialty Services
Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation
MS. JILL SPRAWSON
Rebounders Canada
Survivor
DR. IAN WILSON
Pediatrician
POGO Satellite, Grand River Hospital
Kitchener-Waterloo Health Centre
MS. VANESSA YAKOBSON
Survivor
Thank you all for your ongoing commitment and caring.
18 POGO: An update

“
Congratulations on the next step of your success in
convincing governments to do more in the development of
strategies for pediatric cancer control.
”— Bob Rae
Former Premier of Ontario
“
Through this unique relationship and partnership and our shared
commitment to ensuring that an effective program of childhood cancer
care is developed and maintained in Ontario, the establishment of
the POGO Chair in Childhood Cancer Control is immensely
gratifying. It represents for all of us in this province an unparalleled
opportunity to synchronize the treatment, research and educational
activities across the five tertiary centres and the Universities.
Emphatically, this will result in a strengthened, integrated, more
powerful entity for the care of children with cancer.
”
— The Honourable Elizabeth Witmer
Former Minister of Health (June 2000)
POGO would like to thank the following
for their contributions to this report:
Printing:
Craig Oldman
Xerox Canada
Graphic Design:
Dave Bourne
Toronto Community News