Over the last four years, the CHEO Foundation invested $4.4 million in cancer research projects and an additional $2.2 million for equipment that impacts all areas of cancer care. This year, funds provided by the Foundation will help improve life in the hospital. 4 North will get new patient storage units with hanging space, tackboards, whiteboards, and cupboards to make the space their own. CHEO will be replacing the old televisions with new ones. We will be creating a new child friendly theme throughout the unit, repainting the walls, and modernizing the look and feel with new window coverings, new bed curtains, and more.

Funds will also go towards new technologies, such as:

These new technologies complement our research in pediatric oncology where our physicians and scientists are discovering new and less toxic cancer treatments, examining the long-term effects of childhood cancer survivors, exploring new and natural ways of stimulating appetite for patients, researching the complexity of cancer cells, and investigating the impact of certain types of cancer on bones.

 
With these investments, we are taking important steps and we thank our community for their continued support.  

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WHO'S WHO 

From left to right
 

Meet the leadership team for the oncology program:
Dr. Regis Vaillancourt: Director of Pharmacy and Integrated Pain Services, Karen Ball:  Manager, 4N/5E, Tammy DeGiovanni:  Director, Ambulatory Care, Julie Milks:  Manager, Ambulatory Care, Megan Wright: Director Inpatients, Pediatric Critical Care & Emergency Services, Dr. Donna Johnston :   Chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology Department of Pediatrics 

 FOUNDATION & COMMUNITY UPDATE 

Teeing off for CHEO kids just like him 
In January 1998, Jason Campbell was diagnosed with a form of cancer known as Ewing’s sarcoma.  During his time at CHEO, Jason and his family developed a deep respect for the people who cared for him and great empathy for other children who were also waging the battle with cancer along side of him. 

For the past 14 years, Jason and his family have organized the Jason Campbell Golf Classic.  This dedicated group has raised funds to purchase and donate games, movies, electronics and other fun items to make the time at CHEO more pleasant for young cancer patients.  The energy required to organize the event is fuelled by the memory of Jason’s time at CHEO and by the smiles on the faces of the kids in the playroom when Jason delivers the items in person. 

Register, before June 14th, at http://jcgc.ca/ to participate in the 16th Annual JCGC. Proceeds to benefit oncology patients at CHEO.

NEWS
 

Model of Care:
In January, the oncology team changed their model of care.  Previously patients were cared for using a team-based model, where patients saw the physician in clinic for the week, and all physicians had a good knowledge of all patients.  With the complexity of many treatment protocols, as well as the increase in physician manpower, it was felt that this may not be the optimal model for patient care. Now oncologists have a designated day in clinic, and all patients have a designated primary oncologist.  Every other week, patients see their primary oncologist in clinic. The weeks in between these “doc of the day” weeks, there is one oncologist in clinic for the week, thus ensuring educational/administrative/vacation time does not impact for patient care. The goal is that any big decisions or discussions would take place with the primary oncologist during the “doc of the day” week.

So far, the oncology team feels that this change is going well, but we are really interested to hear what patients and families think about this new model of care. Please feel free to contact your case manager, designated physician, Dr. Donna Johnston (djohnston@cheo.on.ca) or Julie Milks (milks@cheo.on.ca) with any issues or feedback. 
 
Patient Safety Ambassadors:
The `Patient Safety Ambassador’ is a new volunteer role launched March 4th on 4N, 4E/W, 5E, PICU and specific outpatient clinics, to help keep patient safe while hospitalized.  The Patient Safety Ambassador function is to deliver four or five key messages using an information sheet entitled “Working together for patient safety” that is then left with the parents. It highlights the ways that families can help keep patients safe, including infection control, proper patient identification, preventing falls, raising concerns, and activation of the SPOT Team. 

Starting the week of April 15th the Patient Safety Ambassador will also be offering a hand sign to parents/patients if they would like to use it as a reminder to all to `wash hands’!   

Our very enthusiastic volunteers have connected with over 200 families in the first month of this initiative and, to date, the formal evaluations returned by parents have been extremely positive. When you see these volunteers on the units please welcome them and thank them for the valuable role they are playing.

 CELEBRATION CORNER 

 

FAMILY CORNER

 

Future spot for families where we welcome you to share information if you choose with other families. Please feel free to send your submission to Francine Poitras at fpoitras@cheo.on.ca for publication upon approval.

CHEO Family Forum is looking to recruit current or past parents/patients with experience in oncology and/or MDU
The Family Forum is made up of adults who reflect the diversity of CHEO's families including culture, geography and CHEO experiences. Members must have experience with CHEO's services as either a former patient, parent/guardian or family member. Seven resource staff also sit on the committee representing child life, discharge planning, nursing, operations director, patient/family representative, quality management and social work.

The Family Forum committee meets every second Tuesday, on a monthly basis from 6 pm - 8 pm, September - June. The committee acts as a voice for all parents and patients at CHEO and provides valuable input to hospital administration.

 
For more information, or to obtain an application, please contact:
Christine Kouri, Patient Representative
ckouri@cheo.on.ca or 613-737-7600 x2303