Survivor to Survivor Network – For Survivors, By Survivors

About the S2S Network
Upcoming Workshops
Meet Our 2019 Team
***NEW: Video Reflections From Our 2018 Team***

About the S2S Network

POGO is committed to supporting childhood cancer survivors and brain tumour survivors beyond diagnosis and treatment. We also recognize survivors as the experts in their journey. Designed for survivors aged 16 and over, our Survivor to Survivor (S2S) Network is a special series of interactive workshops where survivor facilitators present helpful information, lead discussions and share personal experiences about a variety of survivorship topics.

Learn: Discover resources and tools to help you achieve your personal, educational and career goals
Connect: Meet fellow childhood cancer survivors and brain tumour survivors
Empower: Educate each other as the experts in your personal survivorship journeys!

We encourage you to register for one of the workshops in your area or contact us for more information. You may also wish to check out these inspiring video testimonials in which our 2018 S2S Network team members talk about their personal experiences and discuss the value of the S2S Network for survivors. Please sign up for our SAVTI eNews and follow POGO on our social media @POGO4Kids for announcements about new, upcoming workshops!

Upcoming Workshops

Becoming a Better You

Abdullah Al-Haddad

Stresses in your daily life and cancer journey may impact your personal goals. In this workshop, you will:

Learn healthy stress management techniques like journaling and meditation
Apply S.M.A.R.T. Goals to accomplish your goals in school, work, and everyday life

Date: Friday, September 20, 2019

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (Online sign in at 1:50 PM)

Location: Room B6321, Pediatric Psychology, Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, ON, N6A 5W9 (Google Maps)

Attendance Options: In person, online, and video recording

Register Now

Building Self-Esteem: A Toolkit

Marissa Kirton

Maintaining a healthy self-esteem is sometimes challenging for childhood cancer and brain tumour survivors, especially if you feel a little “different” from your family and friends due to your cancer journey. This workshop guides you through exercises designed to identify negative thoughts and feelings and boost your self-esteem.

Date: Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Time: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM (Online sign in at 11:20 AM)

Location: Boardroom A, Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO), Suite 1014, 480 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1V2 (Google Maps)

Attendance Options: In person, online, and video recording

Register Now

Building Self-Esteem: A Toolkit

Michelle Nedvetski

Date: Monday, October 7, 2019

Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Location: Calvin Park Branch, Kingston Frontenac Public Library, 88 Wright Crescent, Kingston, ON, K7L 4T9 (Google Maps)

Attendance Options: In person only

Register Now

Becoming a Better You

Nicole Waddell-Moreno

Stresses in your daily life and cancer journey may impact your personal goals. In this workshop, you will:

Learn healthy stress management techniques like journaling and meditation
Apply S.M.A.R.T. Goals to accomplish your goals in school, work, and everyday life

Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Location: Room 3H40, McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton Health Sciences, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8N 3Z5 (Google Maps)

Attendance Options: In person only

Register Now

Meet Our 2019 Team

Back Row, From Left to Right: Abdullah Al-Haddad, Josh McGonegal, and Marissa Kirton
Front Row, From Left to Right: Michelle Nedvetski and Nicole Waddell-Moreno

	Mentor: Josh McGonegal I think survivors should attend S2S Network workshops because for me there is nothing as powerful as being in the same room with others who have been through similar experiences and can share their journeys, especially as they concern topics relevant to survivorship. A survivor of medulloblastoma, Josh is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Laurentian University. In addition to volunteering as the mentor to the S2S Network facilitators, he is the volunteer facilitator of the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada’s East Virtual Support Group. Josh is very proud to have been on the Dean’s Honour Roll for every year of his enrollment at Laurentian University! Back To Top
	Facilitator: Abdullah Al-Haddad I think survivors should attend the S2S Network workshops because it’s a great way to meet like-minded individuals. A survivor of osteosarcoma and retinoblastoma, Abdullah is a second-year social work student and also works part-time. He takes great pride in his community involvement! Back To Top
	Facilitator: Marissa Kirton The S2S Network is an amazing idea. I wish I’d had this through my teenage years as a chance to speak to people who are actually going through or have gone through my experience. Just that feeling of knowing you are not alone can help in every way. As we continue with workshops, I hope that I can be a face of encouragement to keep fighting, loving, and conquering life because we will never let cancer win!!!! A survivor of abdominal ovarian cancer that metastasized to her lungs, Marissa graduated from Seneca College’s Health Services Office Administration program. She is currently employed with Scotiabank and hopes to achieve her career goal of working in medical administration. Marissa actively volunteers for many different youth organizations and really believes in the importance of kindness in creating a better world! Back To Top
	Facilitator: Michelle Nedvetski Survivors should attend the S2S Network workshops because it’s a great opportunity to meet other survivors, share stories, and learn more about how to achieve your goals in the future, whether it has to do with education, careers, or just accessible opportunities. A survivor of medulloblastoma, Michelle is currently enrolled at York University, majoring in biology and the concurrent program to receive a teaching degree. She is really proud of her positivity and her ability to always make her friends laugh! Back To Top
	Facilitator: Nicole Waddell-Moreno In addition to my cancer diagnosis, I was also diagnosed with depression and anxiety and experienced bullying at school and at home. If I’d had the S2S Network when I was in treatment, I would have really benefited from it. Yes, having cancer is hard, but it’s things after the treatment that are usually overlooked, such as bullies, loneliness, and having to build relationships over again. And no one understands what a survivor has to go through quite like a survivor. A survivor of germinoma, Nicole is currently working part-time while also caring for her grandmother with Alzheimer’s and her two dogs. She attends singing lessons and is now exploring options for post-secondary education. Nicole takes great pride in helping and inspiring others by sharing her story! Back To Top