Events & Announcements

April 23, 2025

8:30am - 12:00pm EST

Many oncology patients have minor children at home, and cancer can have lasting emotional and developmental effects on these children. Specialized support is essential to help them understand and cope with the illness and potential loss of a family member. Parents, co-parents, and caregivers also need guidance in balancing their roles while managing the challenges of cancer care.

Child Life Specialists are trained to provide age-appropriate information, emotional support, and guidance for families dealing with these challenges. They assist in communicating with children, helping them process emotions, and navigating life changes, including bereavement.

In 2019, Hamilton Health Sciences launched a pilot Child Life program embedded within the Psychosocial Oncology team. This program, now permanently funded, has been recognized for its innovative approach to supporting oncology families and has led to several published research findings.

This workshop will explore the development, challenges, and evaluation of a family-centered program designed to support families with minor children, including strategies for initiating similar programs.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn the importance of specialized support for oncology families with children.

• Understand the key components of a successful family-centered program.

• Gain practical strategies for launching a program to meet the unique needs of these families.

Location: Hilton Toronto, 145 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2L2

April 24, 2025

5:30-6:30 PM ET

Caring for Young Grievers is a new and free community educational resource from Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. This virtual workshop assists and equips parents, caregivers, teachers, counsellors and other professionals working with children to support grieving young people. If you care for or work with a young person trying to cope with the death of a sibling, parent, or any other person close to them, this resource is here to help you help them.

Location: Virtual

May 7, 2025

11:15AM ET

ECHO is a proven healthcare education model associated with increases in knowledge and self-efficacy as well as positive practice-level impacts. The program aims to empower community healthcare professionals by providing evidence-based knowledge and resources integral to caring for paediatric patients with specific conditions and specialized needs including palliative care.
ECHO sessions are interactive, experiential learning opportunities that include:

• a quick 15–20-minute practical didactic presentation
• a question-and-answer period and
• a case discussion

 Click here to learn more about ECHO: https://sickkids.echoontario.ca/echo-impact/

Location: Virtual

June 4, 2025

11AM ET

ECHO is a proven healthcare education model associated with increases in knowledge and self-efficacy as well as positive practice-level impacts. The program aims to empower community healthcare professionals by providing evidence-based knowledge and resources integral to caring for paediatric patients with specific conditions and specialized needs including palliative care.
ECHO sessions are interactive, experiential learning opportunities that include:

• a quick 15–20-minute practical didactic presentation
• a question-and-answer period and
• a case discussion

Click here to learn more about ECHO: https://sickkids.echoontario.ca/echo-impact/

Location: Virtual