Bruce Power and supplier partners donate $100,000 to Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario
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.”
Originally published on the Bruce Power website, September 25, 2024
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.
Freedom International: Childhood Cancer Champion Since 2016
Freedom International Brokerage Company (Freedom) is one of Canada’s leading full-service, Inter-Dealer Brokers—providing electronic brokerage services to wholesale capital market participants in Canada and globally.
Since 2016, Freedom has been a committed corporate partner to POGO, demonstrating their shared vision of making a difference in the lives of children battling cancer through substantial financial, in-kind and volunteer contributions.
Freedom’s involvement began when Kevin Kirby, President and CEO, joined POGO’s Development Cabinet, a group tasked with growing POGO’s fundraising revenue. Recognizing their values aligned with POGO’s mission, Freedom quickly became a valued partner and has contributed $302,500 over the last nine years in support of POGO's programs and signature events that raise critical funds for childhood cancer research, financial assistance to families, and school and work supports for survivors.
Tim Anastakis, Vice President at Freedom, underscores the significance of their partnership with POGO, stating, "Knowing that I work for a company that prioritizes children's charities makes me proud," a sentiment that is echoed amongst Freedom employees.
In addition to their financial support, Freedom goes above and beyond by providing coveted tickets to Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Maple Leafs games—offering families the chance to have happy moments together at a time that is typically filled with hospital visits and days at home sick.
"It's a pleasure knowing Freedom ticket donations help towards brightening a child's life even for a small moment." – Andrew Cooper, FX Forward Broker, Freedom International
PARTNER WITH POGO
Corporate partners play a critical role in helping POGO transform the childhood cancer care system and enable POGO to deliver care and support to children, youth, survivors and their families affected by childhood cancer.
POGO offers a portfolio of sponsorship opportunities that can enhance your brand, raise your community profile, and help you achieve your marketing and promotional goals.
LifeLabs and POGO: More than a Corporate Partnership
From our first meeting with LifeLabs, we knew we were entering into a relationship that would go beyond the typical corporate sponsorship, but we had no idea how rich the collaboration would turn out to be.
In August 2017, LifeLabs pledged $200,000 to POGO, becoming the "Proud Partner” of our Pajamas and Pancakes fundraising campaign. Over the past four years, that pledge has turned into a total of $276,149.83 (to date!), and our relationship with LifeLabs and its employees has evolved and grown greatly over that time. Together, we are improving patient care and transforming the cancer journey for children, youth, their families and survivors in Ontario and beyond.
Raising Funds and Building Awareness
LifeLabs’ endorsement of POGO’s Pajamas and Pancakes Program, a fun and flexible do-it-yourself fundraiser, has not only helped POGO raise more than $276K over the years (including fundraising campaigns generated from their own staff!), but also involved a widespread advertising campaign on GO trains and other media across the GTA to help raise awareness about the program and childhood cancer.
Their annual investment in the POGO Multidisciplinary Symposium has helped our healthcare professionals remain at the forefront of the rapidly advancing field of pediatric oncology.
Supporting Families
As an organization that has been committed to building a healthier Canada for over 50 years, LifeLabs understands the toll cancer treatment can take on our families. In 2019, together with London Health Sciences Centre, we piloted a drop-in blood collection program at select LifeLabs service centres to make it easier for families with children fighting cancer to access lab testing that is required to inform treatment decisions. Lab results were available within 12 hours, saving families both time and money.
“We know that when LifeLabs and its employees contribute to POGO, we are helping children and families access the best available care and supportive services during a very difficult time,” says Charles Brown, President and CEO, LifeLabs. “One of LifeLabs’ core values is caring and our employees live that value by supporting incredible organizations in communities across Canada every day.”
Getting Involved
Whether they are attending POGO events or volunteering at community events to benefit our families across Ontario, LifeLabs’ employees go the extra mile. In 2019, the LifeLabs’ Sudbury Fun Day held at the POGO Satellite Clinic in the Northeast Cancer Centre brought games, crafts, PJs, gift cards and smiles to over 30 families in treatment. This year, 81 employees signed up for the Toronto Women’s Run with all funds raised benefitting POGO and the families we serve.
At POGO, we value our partnerships and we are inspired by our passionate donors who share our vision. Thank you LifeLabs!
Written by Lynn Wilson, POGO’s Chief Development Officer responsible for the planning and management of POGO’s fundraising, communications and government engagement initiatives.
Support from LifeLabs has helped provide financial assistance to families so they can pay for out-of-pocket costs associated with their child’s treatment, support survivors with customized school and work counselling when their disease or its treatment has left them with learning challenges, and fund promising research that examines the impact of childhood cancer and its treatment.
