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Pjs, pancakes, teddy bears raise funds for Southlake's child cancer care

Southlake Regional Health Centre's pediatric oncology clinic, Southlake Foundation and Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) hosted the Pajamas and Pancakes fundraising event last Friday for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

In the blink of an eye, life changed for four-year-old Sofia Olindo and her family.

After weeks of going back and forth to doctors about the persistent cold and hip pain that plagued the little Keswick girl, a visit to the emergency at Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital brought an unexpected diagnosis: Sofia had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, ALL, a type of blood cancer.

“We were totally shocked,” mom Laura said. “It was so sudden, things were happening so quickly. I kept thinking, this can’t be, they are mistaken.”

Sofia was immediately admitted to the hospital and soon began chemotherapy treatment.

Now, she’s eight years old — almost nine, she’ll quickly tell you — “2.7 years cancer-free” and eating an impressive amount of pancakes, her favourite breakfast, at the Pajamas and Pancakes event at Southlake Regional Health Centre last Friday for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

The event was hosted by Southlake’s pediatric oncology clinic, in partnership with the Southlake Foundation and Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO), to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer care.

Hospital staff and visitors were encouraged to make a minimum donation to wear their pyjamas for the day, enjoy a pancake buffet sponsored by the Newmarket Lions Club and participate in activities, including a teddy bear picnic show, best dressed and most loved teddy bear contest, and pillowcase decorating contest.

“Even now, there are no words to describe …,” Laura said, struggling with the memories of the days following Sofia’s diagnosis.

“We were travelling every day, making the trek to Sick Kids. We were there more than we were at home,” she recalled. “We would do whatever it took, we knew she was getting the best care possible there. But it was a different lifestyle.”

When the Olindos were initially told Sofia could receive follow-up care at Southlake, they were reluctant not to rely solely on Sick Kids, Laura admitted.

“But the care here is exceptional,” she said, adding the family has formed a tight-knit bond with the nurses at Southlake’s clinic, pediatric nurses Lisa Egan-Bates and Jennifer Barbeau.

As Sofia returned to school, and life began to have some normalcy, the family is grateful Sofia is able to receive care and support much closer to home.

“She totally sees herself as a normal kid,” Laura said. “She hasn’t skipped a beat.”

The family, including dad Corrado, who works for Highland Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac, one of the event sponsors, came out to celebrate and support Southlake’s pediatric oncology clinic, along with about 10 other patients and families.

“Southlake is near and dear to my heart,” Corrado said.

Arden Krystal, president and CEO of Southlake, said she was proud of staff not only for spearheading the event, but in taking part to help raise funds and awareness.

“I was an oncology nurse,” she said. “I understand what it’s like to live through a cancer diagnosis. It’s a long haul, especially when it’s your little one.”

Paul Gibson, associate medical director, clinical affairs at POGO, said pediatric oncology clinics such as Southlake’s are a key initiative to provide patients and their families support throughout their cancer journey.

POGO’s Provincial Pediatric Oncology Satellite Program transfers aspects of an eligible patient’s care to a community hospital closer to home. POGO satellite clinics are located in areas where the caseload is large enough to maintain the expertise needed, and where patient travel, cost and family disruption will be reduced.

The children continue to be diagnosed in tertiary programs that will develop, monitor and modify their individual treatment plans throughout the course of their care.

Southlake Chief of Pediatrics Dr. Charmaine Van Schaik said the pediatric oncology clinic, which has both inpatients and outpatients, has operated for 10 years in partnership with Sick Kids.

POGO supports care at eight satellite clinics across the province, each linked to one of the five major hospitals with a pediatric cancer program.

“It saves families from having to drive downtown, it’s a lot easier for them,” she said, adding the community hospital clinic team has the opportunity to engage more with the patients and their families.  

Cathy Couture, mom of eight-year-old Chloe, said being able to receive care closer to home “helps to keep life normal” for the entire family, which lives in Bolton.

She acknowledged that the care at Southlake is “fantastic”.

Chloe was first diagnosed with cancer in 2013, and had a relapse in 2016.

“It’s the hardest journey,” she said, tears welling in her eyes.

She was hugged by Debbie Fletcher Queen, a data administrator at Southlake, who donned her pjs for the day and entered her son’s well worn and much loved teddy bear into the contest.

Chloe, the contest judge, said she chose TJ the teddy bear as the winner because of the tag he wore telling the story of his best friend’s cancer journey.

“I am Dawson’s best friend and sleeping buddy … Dawson got cancer when he was only 1 and ½ years old. I was there with Dawson at Sick Kids hospital for all of his tests and all of his treatments,” said the tag.

Fletcher Queen said Dawson, now 18 and a student at the University of Ottawa, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer at 19 months.

“We didn’t have the opportunity to attend a POGO clinic then,” the Newmarket resident said. “We got through it, but having a POGO would have helped so much. So, I’m here to support them.”  

 

      

 

                            


 

Debora Kelly

About the Author: Debora Kelly

Debora Kelly is NewmarketToday's editor. She is an award-winning journalist and communications professional who is passionate about building strong communities through engagement, advocacy and partnership.
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