When I first started creating this sculpture, it was an absolute mess. The structure and stability of the tree were a challenge to figure out but slowly it all started coming together. It was like putting the pieces together in a puzzle. I didn’t fully understand why I created a tree until I started sculpting every little curve or indent, gluing on the leaves and adding the finishing touches. The tree symbolized my growth. Just like me, the tree encountered many obstacles when it was being sculpted. It took hours, days, weeks to finish and at some point, I felt like giving up on it. The tree expressed me. It started wonky but the more time and effort I dedicated to it, the stronger it got. Similarly, when I was recovering from my cancer treatment, it was hard to fit in with my peers at school and integrate into my new reality. But as the years went on and I got out of my comfort zone, I grew to be the best version of myself. My piece, Growth, shows the journey of my life and how I’ve grown into the person I am today.
Check out other Creative Corner works done by Dorian and Xander
POGO recruited five individuals whose lives have been impacted by a childhood cancer diagnosis and are now working in the field of pediatric oncology in different capacities, to work with Mike Lang, an expert in digital storytelling facilitation. Digital storytelling guides participants to use personal images and videos, voiceover narration, music, and various video-editing techniques to bring the meaningful moments of their life to the screen.
These stories, which premiered at the 2023 POGO Symposium, shed light on how the experience of having cancer as a young person, and the interactions with oncology professionals along the way, can shape a person’s life profoundly. It is POGO’s hope that everyone who engages with these stories will learn something new about the childhood cancer experience, by seeing it through the eyes of survivors.
Alexx’s Story
Alexx was diagnosed with acute myeloblastic leukemia as a child.
Today, she is a child life specialist, using her firsthand experience as a childhood cancer survivor to advocate for children, youth, fellow survivors and their families with various diagnoses.
Lindsay’s Story
Lindsay was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma as a child.
Today, she is a pediatric oncology nurse, drawing from her personal journey as a childhood cancer survivor to care for children and youth with cancer.
Noor’s Story
Noor had the misfortune of navigating both a cancer diagnosis and virtual school during the COVID-19 pandemic. Inspired by the oncology professionals who cared for her during treatment, she is now studying to become a nurse at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Eugene’s Story
Dr. Eugene Chang was a young medical student when he was diagnosed with Leukemia. His experiences as a patient helped him identify a gap in the system, which he has sought to fill since becoming Canada’s first physiatrist specializing in rehabilitation for cancer patients.
Kirsten’s Story
Kirsten is a two-time childhood cancer survivor and a young adult cancer survivor.
A strong advocate for childhood cancer and young adult cancer survivors, she now works as POGO’s Program Assistant, supporting survivorship, psychosocial and strategic initiatives.
Darwin recently turned 21, graduated high school, rang the end of treatment bell at CHEO and has been accepted into an Academic Assistance for Adults with Developmental Disabilities (AAADD) college program.
What was most exciting about ringing the bell?
I loved seeing all my favourite people from high school virtually on Google Meet. I saw Ms. Russett, and Ms. Coe, and the ladies in the office. All my favourite nurses came too. They helped me learn to count “1-2-3” before I had a needle!
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What are you most looking forward too now that you are 21? I want to learn how to use a debit card and get a job where I can wear a nametag and a vest. I want to work at Walmart at cash register #7 and at the Apple store.
What will you do in your C.I.C.E. college program? I will learn to take the bus with my phone, using Google maps. I want to learn about money math. At college I will see my friends and they have nice lockers.
Any shout outs to friends & family?
Thank you to my mom, she’s The Boss and always came to CHEO with me. The staff on 4 North were awesome. The Fire Safety Officer, Richard, came to teach me the rules about fire safety. I also did a FaceTime with Liam from the Ottawa Fire Dept. about river safety. I loved seeing my CHEO teacher, Ms. Nancy. She’s awesome and I learned to use assistive technology. Every day I wrote a page in my book with Book Creator.
What is OSAP? The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a mix of loans and/or grants funded by the provincial and federal government to help you pay for post-secondary school. The program is open to full-time and part-time students.
How do I know if I am eligible for OSAP? While many of our clients say they are not eligible for OSAP because their parents’ income is too high, we recommend using the OSAP Aid Estimator to estimate what you could receive. Many clients are surprised that they are actually eligible. Plus, even if you are only eligible for $1, this may allow you to access other types of funding. Individuals with disabilities, for example, may be eligible for more grants, such as the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment (CSG-DSE) and/or the Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD). A doctor or neuropsychologist must complete an “OSAP Disability Verification Form” for you. Your POGO Transitions Counsellor can help facilitate this.
*TIP: If an estimate is not yet available for your school year, try using the previous year or try again in the spring.*
I don’t want any loans after post-secondary school. Why would I apply for OSAP? If you are eligible for grants, you can request that you receive the “Grant Only Funding,” essentially meaning that you’ll receive grants but not the loan portion of OSAP. Typically you do not have to pay back grants. However, this would change if you are not taking the minimum course load, you decide to withdraw from your program or if your application is reassessed to show underrepresented income, for example. Speak with your financial aid office in advance if you’d like the “Grants Only Funding.” See the OSAP Aid Estimator link above to see if you would be eligible for grants.
I need the loans portion of OSAP to pay for school, but I’m worried I won’t be able to pay these back after I graduate. What are my options? First, repayment of student loans has been a little bit easier these past few years with interest on federal loans being waived for the COVID-19 pandemic. This was set to expire on March 31st, 2023; however, at the time of this writing, the Canadian government recently passed a Bill to eliminate this interest permanently. Remember, this does not apply to provincial loans, and some interest will still be accrued.
You also may be eligible for the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). Your eligibility is based on your family size and income. There are two stages: “Interest Relief” and “Debt Reduction.” For “Interest Relief,” the government may pay some or all of the interest accrued on your loan. For “Debt Reduction,” they will either lower or eliminate the required monthly payments for six months. You must apply for RAP through the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) and reapply every six months.
Applying for OSAP can be overwhelming and stressful, so don’t hesitate to contact your POGO Transitions Counsellor, who can help you better understand the process or connect you with your school’s financial aid office.
Austin: What was it like battling cancer as a young teen?
Eloise: I was 14 years old when I was diagnosed with cancer, just weeks shy of starting my Grade 10 year. I was already trying to grapple with big questions like, “Who am I?” and “Who do I want to become?” I was busy navigating life and all things that “normal” teenagers experience. Then, on top of this quest for identity, I was suddenly confronted with a life-threatening illness. I felt overwhelmed, confused and defeated. I had no idea how to react or how to feel. There is no better way to describe it than an absolute rollercoaster of emotions.
In my opinion, the fundamental difference between young kids going through cancer and teens, is their sense of awareness. Unlike many young kids next to me on the 8th floor of SickKids, I KNEW something was wrong. Actually, I knew EXACTLY what was wrong. I had cancer—a disease I never imagined I would have, especially at 14.
Many brave young children I encountered accepted this painful journey with a sense of “normalcy.” Despite all they were going through, they maintained their positivity and love for life. This was something I could not mirror—not for lack of trying. I wanted to exude the same level of strength, courage and positivity as many of those children but I was keenly aware of my painful, frustrating and exhausting journey with cancer. People sometimes forget that teenagers are far closer to identifying as adults than they are to children, yet, they are unique and require a certain approach to their care.
Austin: In what ways does your journey with cancer still impact you today?
Eloise while undergoing treatment
Eloise: Despite being cancer-free for nearly eight years, my journey through survivorship has been far from easy. Cancer continues to influence many areas of my life, both positively and negatively. On a professional level, I have built a career inspired by my experience. The Good Hood Club is a loungewear company that champions childhood cancer care, most notably by donating 50% of its profits to childhood cancer organizations like POGO. Given my journey and fortune with cancer, I constantly seek ways to give back. The Good Hood Club has provided me with a vehicle to do that.
Although cancer is a “distant memory,” the emotional turmoil it sparked is not. Daily, I battle anxiety primarily linked to having had cancer as a teen. This has been an ongoing challenge for me; however, I am committed to finding ways to help me manage it. More abstractly, cancer has taught me many invaluable life lessons. Undoubtedly, my biggest takeaway has been my appreciation and love for life.
Austin: How did you decide to start Good Hood Club as a business and how did you come up with the name?
Eloise: While studying commerce at Queen’s, I took a digital marketing class in my 3rd year. One of the projects required us to create an e-commerce-based business from scratch. While most of our classmates saw this as merely a school project, my group saw it as an opportunity to do something good. My best friend, Chloe, and I wanted to create something meaningful. We thought, “What can we sell that will do good?” Our answer, “Hoods.” We also wanted people to feel part of a more significant community, a club. Hence the name, Good Hood Club.
Eloise in her navy Good Hood hoodie
Austin: What does Good Hood Club mean to you, both on a personal and a professional level?
Eloise: On a professional level, I could not have asked for a better way to dive into the workforce. I have gathered experience across various areas. I have had unparalleled hands-on experience in marketing, operations, strategy, manufacturing, finance…you name it! I am incredibly grateful for the experience Good Hood Club has given me to date. Over time, I hope to watch the company grow, continuing to touch the lives of those battling childhood cancer.
On a personal level, Good Hood Club has been an invaluable healing method. The easiest way to deal with my pain is by transforming it into purpose. Good Hood Club has allowed me to do this, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
Austin: Do you think as a survivor of childhood cancer that there are enough support systems in place to help families and children?
Eloise: I think that there is always room for improvement. However, I am eternally grateful for the help and support I have received over my journey. The childhood cancer community is filled with exceptional individuals who have made invaluable contributions to the community. I would love to see additional resources in the realm of psychosocial support. For me, mental health has been a massive part of my journey with cancer; however, it has not necessarily been a massive part of my care. In my experience, cancer has been just as much a mental health disease as a physical one; yet, it is not treated as such. I hope for a future where both aspects are equally prioritized in cancer care protocols, right from the beginning.
Austin: Do you have any advice for young adults that survived childhood cancer that are struggling to find a career that will be fulfilling for them?
Eloise: It is easy to get caught up in what you think you want and should do versus exploring what you truly want and were meant to do. As a business student, I was on a path to a corporate career. I thought that was what I wanted. The second I took the opportunity to try new things and explore, I uncovered newfound passions I wanted to pursue. My advice would be to always experiment and try. Don’t stay committed to one path until you have taken the opportunity to see what else you might want to explore.
Eloise founded Good Hood Club with her university best friend, Chloe, to make their love for hoodies more meaningful and promote comfort during stressful times. 50% of Good Hood earnings go to POGO (Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario) and their mission to achieve the best childhood cancer care system for children, youth, survivors and their families in Ontario and beyond.
Austin is an ALL survivor who is interested in music and is an avid drummer. He’s also passionate about giving back to cancer charities that helped him and his family during their cancer journey.