Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) Receives National Award for Impact in Children’s Health
Toronto, ON, June 1, 2026 – The Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) has received the 2026 Child Health Systems Impact Award from Children’s Healthcare Canada (CHC) in recognition of its leadership in building and advancing a world-class childhood cancer care system.
This award reflects what is possible when visionary leadership and intentional system design place children and families at the centre. POGO was founded with the understanding that children are not small adults, and childhood cancer requires a specialized, coordinated system of care to address the complex needs of growing minds and bodies.
Children and youth with cancer require more than treatment—they need an integrated system that supports their physical, emotional, and social well-being. Equity is foundational to that care: no child’s health outcome should depend on where in Ontario they live. Ontario’s Childhood Cancer Care System, led by POGO, removes barriers to care and supports children and families across the full continuum—from diagnosis to treatment, into survivorship, and when needed, palliative and end-of-life care.
The CHC Board Awards Committee recognizes POGO’s outstanding contributions and leadership in advancing Ontario’s childhood cancer care system, citing how POGO’s province-wide model of evidence-informed care has transformed how childhood cancer services are delivered. POGO’s innovations have led to measurable improvements in access and long-term outcomes, and the organization’s steadfast, collaborative partnerships have contributed to a national and global benchmark for pediatric oncology care, ultimately improving both the quality of care and the lived experience of children with cancer across Ontario.
“This award reflects POGO’s founding vision and the strength of province-wide partnerships with multidisciplinary healthcare teams, researchers, government, donors, and, importantly, families, working together to support children and youth with cancer,” said Lauren Ettin, CEO of POGO. “We are grateful to Children’s Healthcare Canada for this recognition. We share the award with our partners in childhood cancer care and remain committed to continuing this work, strengthening the system and ensuring every child and family receives the wraparound care they deserve.”
About POGO
The Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) provides wraparound care 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 and their families, survivors of childhood cancer, adolescents and young adults with cancer, and healthcare teams, in Ontario and beyond. POGO champions childhood cancer care and, as the collective voice of this community, serves as the official advisor to Ontario’s Ministry of Health. POGO is a non-profit organization with charitable status, here for kids with cancer, for now, for life. Learn more at www.pogo.ca
About Children’s Healthcare Canada
Children’s Healthcare Canada is a national association representing organizations that deliver health services to millions of children and youth each year. CHC advocates to accelerate excellence and innovation in health systems serving children, youth, and their families across the continuum of care. The Innovation & Impact Awards recognize excellence, collaboration, and leadership across the community, from clinicians and researchers to administrators, family partners, and advocates.
Media contact:
Jacqui DeBique
Senior Manager, Communications
info@pogo.ca
Having the Last Laugh: Coping Through Comedy
Author: Percy McIntosh
Diagnosis: Medulloblastoma (at age 9)
What do you call a man who floats in water?
Bob.
I love to laugh, I always have. When I began my journey after a diagnosis of cancer, I learned that laughing wasn’t just a thing I like to do but the best tool in my emotional toolbox.
After my medulloblastoma diagnosis in 2017, humour began playing a larger role in my life. Laughing and cracking jokes became great ways to escape my harsh reality. I have always believed the difficult parts of life can be made easier when looked at through a comedic lens. Charlie Chaplin once said, “Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot.” Stripping away the filmmaking metaphor, I take that to mean when we look at the bigger picture, we can find light and humour in what burdens us at face value.
As if cancer wasn’t bad enough, after the surgery to remove my brain tumour I was left mute and partially paralyzed. Interestingly, during my mutism, the first sound I made was laughter. (Sorry cancer, looks like you can’t kill the humour bug.) My humour also helped me regain my voice in speech therapy. Turns out, even losing my ability to speak couldn’t stop me from wanting to tell jokes.
Don’t just take my word for the healing power of comedy. Listen to (shudder) science (can you tell I’m majoring in social science?). In psychology, humour is known as a “cognitive reframer.” Essentially, it alters the way your brain deals with threats or stressors. When you laugh, your brain releases endorphins, feel-good chemicals that reduce stress (see kids, laughter is way better than drugs).
As a result of being in the hospital between the ages of nine and ten, I missed out on a lot of important fundamental social skills. I am truly grateful for how comedy was able to carry me socially through middle school and high school and will hopefully score me some friends at university. In fact, there’s a hack I learned that I intend on using at university: if you’re funny and fun to be around, there’s a good chance people will like you and be keen on helping you out. Don’t be a goofball around all teachers though; some are old and no fun…so be careful! A comedian’s best strength is being able to read the room. Sometimes being serious to get on the teacher’s good side will help build bridges to where you want to go.
Ultimately, I find that using humour as a crutch isn’t about forgetting the pain; it’s about having the last laugh.
This story was written by a childhood cancer survivor for the fall 2026 issue of the POGO School and Work Transitions Program newsletter.
