​By: Lauren Ettin, CEO, Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) ​

In Ontario, childhood cancer care is led and managed within its own specialized system designed to meet the unique needs of children, youth, survivors, and their families. This world-class system is led by the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO), a charitable not-for-profit organization and the official advisor to the Ministry of Health on childhood cancer. For more than four decades, POGO has worked with partner hospitals and countless collaborators to ensure that every child diagnosed with cancer and their family receives wraparound care, from diagnosis, through treatment, and well into survivorship. 

This system is supported by extraordinary professionals whose vision and dedication transform lives every day. Each year, POGO shines a spotlight on these leaders at its annual Multidisciplinary Symposium on Childhood Cancer through the POGO Recognition Awards.  

The passion of this year’s recipients exemplifies what it means to drive innovation forward and improve care for children and families. Here’s a closer look at their remarkable contributions. 

Champion Award Recognizes Career Excellence 

Dr. Lillian Sung’s career is the embodiment of excellence. A global leader in paediatric oncology supportive care with over 500 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Sung has spent her career improving how children experience cancer treatment. As Canada Research Chair in Pediatric Oncology Supportive Care and Chief Clinical Data Scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children, she has pioneered evidence-based innovations like SSPedi and SPARK, digital platforms that help families report symptoms and guide clinicians in managing them. Her work harmonizing infection-related care and chairing international guideline panels, including for POGO’s clinical practice guidelines program, has set standards worldwide.  

Visionary Award Makes History with First-Ever Team Honour and Tie 

These Visionary Award honourees are recognized for a single, transformative contribution to paediatric cancer care. 

Southlake Health’s Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Program, led by Dr. Alisha Kassam, is Ontario’s first dedicated program for adolescents and young adults in a community setting and was launched in partnership with Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and POGO. The program bridges the gap between paediatric and adult oncology, offering age-appropriate care for patients aged 18 to 43. With dedicated spaces, peer events, and automated referral pathways, the program ensures timely access to specialized supports — from fertility counselling to survivorship planning. Since launching in 2023, it has supported over 80 new consults annually and is inspiring replication across the province. 

Nurse practitioner Sue Zupanec and Dr. Sumit Gupta of The Hospital for Sick Children were also awarded for their leadership in the game-changing Children’s Oncology Group AALL1731 trial. Their work represents one of the most significant advances in paediatric leukemia care in decades. This trial introduced blinatumomab, a targeted immunotherapy, into frontline treatment for childhood leukemia, the most common childhood cancer. POGO is proud to have worked with its partners to secure provincial funding for blinatumomab so that children in Ontario have access.  

Distinction in Nursing Leadership 

Dr. Lindsay Jibb, Scientist and Signy Hildur Eaton Chair in Pediatric Nursing Research at The Hospital for Sick Children, was honoured for her groundbreaking innovations and research that have contributed to advancing paediatric oncology nursing in Ontario and beyond. She has led transformative studies in digital health, pain management, and psychosocial support — many of which were co-designed with patients and families. Her work has informed clinical practice, influenced policy, and empowered families. 

Celebrating an Emerging Leader  

Emma King, a counsellor with the Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Program at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, is proof that leadership isn’t defined by years but by impact. In just one year, her creative, patient-centred approach has ensured adolescents and young adults, 16+, have the tools to thrive during and after treatment. In her hospital role, Ms. King also supports survivor clients through the POGO School and Work Transitions Program, providing guidance for youth getting back to school or preparing for employment. 

The POGO Awards aren’t just about recognition; they’re about telling the story of a system built on collaboration, compassion, and innovation. They remind us that the needs of children and their families are unique, and that Ontario is home to world-renowned leaders, like these honourees, who are shaping its present and future.  

Learn more about POGO and the Recognition Awards at www.pogo.ca/awards. Nominations for 2026 open in the spring. ​