Event to celebrate partnership between RVHS, SickKids and POGO

January 18, 2012 – In February 2010, Carrie Rands-Flanagan and her husband Bill, parents of two young daughters, received the news that would change their lives forever. Their youngest daughter, three-year-old Abby, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

“Our lives were no longer about planning play dates or trips to the park. They became consumed with finger pokes, intravenous ports, and endless appointments,” remembers Carrie, who lives in Whitby with her family.

Almost immediately after her diagnosis, Abby began the first four months of her two-year treatment plan at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). While Abby was receiving the best care possible, each appointment meant a long commute from Whitby to Toronto. The family was relieved to learn that Abby could now receive some of her treatments, most blood work, and check-ups at Rouge Valley Health System’s (RVHS) Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) satellite clinic at its Rouge Valley Centenary (RVC) hospital campus in east Toronto, much closer to the family’s home.

“This clinic has been instrumental in helping us to better cope with Abby’s cancer,” explains Carrie. “Not only does our daughter receive great care, but it allows us to remain closer to home. It’s also reassuring to know that they are so closely connected to our primary physician at SickKids.”

Unique Partnership

Working in partnership with the SickKids pediatric oncology program, and POGO, RVHS is able to provide a high quality of pediatric cancer care. Since May 2005 when the clinic first opened, the number of patients seen at the clinic has continued to grow. Currently, 105 patients are receiving treatment there.

“Because POGO sets the standards for pediatric oncology care across the province, our patients are able to receive the highest standard of care available to them at their community hospital,” explains Dr. Karen Chang, chief of pediatrics, RVC. “Through our close relationship with SickKids, we are able to co-manage our patients, and our patients’ families can be confident that we are all working together to provide them with the best possible care.”

Many patients are able to come in before school to have their blood work done and return to school on time, while some others come in on their lunch break to receive their chemotherapy.

Almost 4,000 children in Ontario are currently receiving treatment or follow-up care for cancer. In Ontario, 82 per cent of children are able to win their battle with cancer. Families with a child in treatment lose one third of their after-tax income to out-of-pocket costs.

Founded in 1983 by a group of pediatric oncologists to champion childhood cancer care and control, POGO works to ensure that all of Ontario's children have equal access to state-of-the-art diagnosis, treatment and required services. The organization is a collaboration of the five specialty pediatric oncology programs, including SickKids.

Sign Unveiling

On Tuesday, January 24, a new commemorative POGO sign will be unveiled in the Rouge Valley Centenary Pediatric Oncology lounge, celebrating the successful partnership.

The event takes place at 10:30 a.m. at Rouge Valley Centenary, 2867 Ellesmere Rd., in the hospital’s pediatric oncology suite, located on the seventh level. Among the special guest speakers includes Ms. Rands-Flanagan, Dr. Chang,  Dr. Angela Punnett, staff physician, division of hematology/oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, and Dr. Mark Greenberg, senior adviser, policy and clinical affairs, POGO.

Guests will be treated to a tour of the unit after the sign unveiling.

Rouge Valley Health System (RVHS) — The best at what we do.

RVHS is an excellent acute care community hospital with many programs, including 24/7/365 emergency, obstetrics, pediatrics, cardiac care and mental health. Rouge Valley consists of several health sites, including two community hospital campuses: Rouge Valley Centenary in east Toronto; and Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering in west Durham. Together, a team of physicians, nurses and many other professionals care for a broad spectrum of health conditions. Working in consultation and partnership with community members, other hospitals, health care organizations, the Central East Local Health Integration Network and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Rouge Valley continues to improve its programs and cater to the needs of the growing communities of east Toronto, Ajax, Pickering and Whitby.

Contact

Akilah Dressekie
Senior Communications Specialist
Public Affairs and Community Relations
Rouge Valley Health System
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
416-712-4873
www.rougevalley.ca