September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and a time to raise awareness and express support for the children and youth with cancer, survivors of childhood cancer, and their families.
The burden of a childhood cancer diagnosis on families is immense, affecting them emotionally, socially, financially and countless other ways. In Ontario, from the time of diagnosis, childhood cancer patients have access to a coordinated system of care in leading hospitals across the province.
Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario, POGO, is a made-in-Ontario solution, working in partnership with these hospitals and the Ontario government to help ensure everyone affected by childhood cancer has timely access to the best care and support.
This September, we acknowledge the children and youth in treatment or follow up care, the survivors of a childhood cancer diagnosis, the loved ones lost, and their families; and we are grateful to the many incredible organizations and multidisciplinary healthcare teams caring for them, and to those who provide other invaluable supports.
Watch the video statement from Premier Doug Ford, Health Minister Sylvia Jones and POGO Board Chair James Scongack.
Statement from Premier Doug Ford
“September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout this month I encourage everyone across Ontario to help raise awareness for this tragic disease that affects thousands of children and youth in our Province. Not only is cancer devastating to those diagnosed, it also deeply impacts their families in countless ways. I want children and youth, as well as their parents, siblings, friends and loved ones to know that they have a team Ontario on their side as they fight through this terrible disease. I want to thank the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario for their support in providing patients and survivors with world class care. I look forward to continued collaboration.”
Statement from Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones
“This September, I want to recognize children and families across Ontario impacted by childhood cancer. September is a time to recognize the courageous children who are receiving or have received treatment and thank their families for staying strong through their treatment journey. Cancer touches so many lives and I want to thank the dedicated Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario who advocates for patients and survivors through these difficult times. Our government will continue to work with you and our hospital partners to ensure children in Ontario have access to the care they need and deserve close to home.”
Statement from POGO Board Chair James Scongack
“Cancer is something that impacts us all, whether it’s ourselves our loved ones our family members, our friends, our neighbours or individuals in our community. At some point or another in all of our lives we will be impacted by cancer. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in Ontario and throughout September it’s a really important opportunity for us as a province to come together to raise awareness around childhood cancer but most importantly come together as a province to do everything we can to be there for those kids and families who are battling childhood cancer. The partnership between the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario and the Ontario government and our entire hospital and pediatric oncology sector is a good example of how we can come together as a province and be there for families and kids not only today during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month but every single day of the year. I want to take this opportunity to send a very clear message to the families and kids that are battling childhood cancer, not only today but in the future, that we have your back; that we will continue to work as hard as we can every day to not only raise awareness but to continue to do better. Finally, I want to recognize the frontline healthcare professionals; you do incredible work. We’re proud of you and during September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, let’s not only think of the families who are challenged with childhood cancer and battling it today; let’s also thank those frontline workers who come to work every single day under extraordinary circumstances.”
