LifeLabs raises over $60,000 in support of children with cancer for the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario
Toronto, ON. (February 13, 2020) – Today, LifeLabs employees sported some cozy pajamas and indulged in a delicious pancake breakfast as part of a charitable event to recognize International Childhood Cancer Awareness day; as well as support their community partner POGO in helping children with cancer, their families, and communities by providing equitable access to health care and support services.
Affectionately known as ‘Pajamas and Pancakes Day’, the event marks the third anniversary of LifeLabs’ partnership with POGO (Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario). The annual Pajamas and Pancakes event allows LifeLabs’ employees to participate in the cause by ordering pajamas and attending a charitable pancake breakfast. Over the last three years, LifeLabs and its employees have donated $150,000—with this year presenting over $60,000 to POGO.
“This event helps children and their families access the best available care and supportive services during a very difficult time in their lives,” said Chris Carson, SVP of Corporate Affairs, Strategy and Innovation. “We’re so proud of our partnership with POGO and we look forward to this event each year. We’re also very grateful for our employees who come forward each year to show their generosity and spirit.”
The donation supports POGO with a number of goals including: providing assistance to families to help with out-of-pocket costs such as babysitting, food, and accommodation when their child is diagnosed with cancer; providing special education and employment supports to survivors that face learning challenges as a result of their cancer and/or treatment; and supporting research to improve care and provide better outcomes for kids with cancer.
“For more than three decades POGO has been collaborating with stakeholders across this province to champion childhood cancer care,” says Lynn Wilson, Chief Development Officer at POGO. “The work we do ensures that everyone affected by childhood cancer has access to the best care and support, because the best care leads to the best outcomes for these young patients, their families and survivors. We are very grateful to LifeLabs for their partnership in support of this common goal.”
For more information about the partnership, visit www.lifelabs.com.
About LifeLabs
LifeLabs is Canada’s leading provider of laboratory diagnostic information and digital health connectivity systems, enabling patients and healthcare practitioners to diagnose, treat, monitor, and prevent disease. We support 20 million patient visits annually and conduct over 100 million laboratory tests through leading edge technologies and our 5,700 talented and dedicated employees. We are a committed innovator in supporting Canadians to live healthier lives, operating Canada’s first commercial genetics lab and the country’s largest online patient portal, with more than 2.3 million Canadians receiving their results online. LifeLabs is 100% Canadian owned by OMERS Infrastructure, the infrastructure investment manager of one of Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plans. Learn more at www.lifelabs.com.
About POGO
Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) has championed childhood cancer care since 1983, and is in the unique position of planning for childhood cancer care at a provincial level. It is committed to ensuring all children with cancer and their families—regardless of their geographic location—have equitable access to the best care for the best possible outcomes from diagnosis, through treatment and into survivorship. POGO has an earned reputation as the official advisor to Ontario’s Ministry of Health (MOH), and serves as the collective voice of the childhood cancer community, consistently driving lasting changes and measurable results. POGO is an enduring collaboration of the five pediatric specialty hospitals in Ontario. POGO receives core funding from the MOH and an engaged and supportive donor base provides additional funding for POGO charitable programs. For more information, visit POGO’s website.