The steering committee has identified the key activities to support the Network’s main functions. This is a summary of the ongoing activities for each network working group.

Relationship with government

Aim: To obtain recognition that the Network is the official advisor to the regional health authorities and the Ministry of Health on matters pertaining to pediatric cancer and allied hematological conditions

Care for survivors

Aim: To address the need for comprehensive long term follow-up care for survivors of childhood cancer

Actions: The unique issues associated with survivors of childhood cancer requires special attention. In partnership with BC Cancer, a Late Effects, Assessment & Follow-Up (LEAF) Clinic has been established in July 2016 for adults who have survived childhood cancer. Please visit the LEAF clinic website for further information. For guidelines developed by BC Children's, please visit Long Term Follow-up Guidelines.

Community care

Aim: To support community hospitals and practitioners and develop a partnership with other health care facilities to enable integrated care to children and adolescents with cancer or blood disorders and their families throughout the province

Actions:

• Education & Communication: The network provides education opportunities for physicians and other health care professionals at the BC Cancer Regional Conferences, educational workshops at BC Children's Hospital and at various regional centres. Current education workshops for community RNs include:
• Association of Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurses (APHON) Chemotherapy & Biotherapy course: November 6-10, 2023
  
• Advanced Oncology Days: January 15-19, 2024
  
• If there is an interest for such learning opportunities in your area, please contact Nicole Coolman at nicole.coolman@cw.bc.ca
  
• Children's Oncology Tiers of Service (PDF)
• 2021 Chemotherapy Administration Competencies for Community Pediatric RNs (PDF)
• Family Practice Oncology Network GPO Training Program at BC Cancer

Psychosocial Care: The network has activated a psychosocial working group to identify existing resources for children and adolescents with cancer or blood disorders and their families in the local communities and to address the gaps in service.

Palliative Care: The palliation and end-of-life care working group assess care needs in communities, identify educational needs for professionals, address resource allocation, and identify areas of research. Norms of practice and guidelines for palliation and end-of-life care have been developed. BC Children's Hospital offers an Advanced Symptom & Palliative Care service that assists children and families who are living with progressive, life-threatening diseases and the health care professionals caring for them. This service supports both inpatients and outpatients.

Cancer control

Aim: To develop and implement a comprehensive cancer control strategy for children and adolescents as part of the BC Cancer cancer control strategy

Actions:

• Continue enhancement of the Pediatric Cancer Registry
• Obtain a comprehensive database for management, data collection, historical and projected analysis
• Reactivate pediatric tumour group

Research

Aim: To further develop and enhance the research programs of basic, translational and clinical research that are world class and make a significant contribution to the global care of children and adolescents with cancer or blood disorders.

Actions: The participation in clinical trials will continue to be a high priority. The network will, in particular, seek to collaborate clinical and outcome research at Children’s and BC Cancer in Adolescent to Young Adults (AYA) to improve treatment outcomes.

Childhood Cancer & Blood Research Group: In the Childhood Cancer & Blood Research Group, clinicians and scientists work together to conduct research that improves the lives of children and young adults with cancer and/or blood disorders, and those undergoing transplantation.

• Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program (MCCCRP)

Personnel

• 0.5 FTE Medical Consultant (since 2002)
• 0.5 FTE Network Coordinator (since 2003)

Newsletters

The Network produces newsletters twice a year for health care providers in the communities.

Summer 2023 (PDF)

• Meet the Neuro-Oncology Team

Fall 2022 (PDF)

• Meet the Blood & Bone Marrow Transplant Team

Fall 2021 (PDF)

• Meet the New Members of the Heme Team
• COG KidsCare App

Fall 2019 (PDF)

• CAR-T Cells and Therapy Explained

Winter 2019 (PDF)

• Family Immunization Clinic
• Meet the Nurse Clinicians

Spring 2018 (PDF)

• The new Teck Acute Care Centre at BC Children's Hospital

Winter 2017 (PDF)

• Pediatric Hereditary Cancer
  
• Vaccination in Kids with Cancer
  

Spring 2017 (PDF)

• Staying Present: Mindfulness in Health Care
  
• Patient/Parent Advocate - Oncology/Hematology/BMT Program
  

Winter 2016 (PDF)

• Pediatric Sarcomas: Diagnosis and Management
  
• Late Effects Assessment and Follow-up (LEAF) Clinic opens for adult survivors of childhood cancer

Spring 2016 (PDF)

• Updates in Pediatric Fever and Neutropenia at BC Children's Hospital
• Clinical Trials in Pediatric Oncology

Winter 2015 (PDF)

• Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant

Winter 2014 (PDF)

• An update for Low and Average Risk B-Cell precursor Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
• Commonly Used Chemotherapeutic Agents in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Spring 2014 (PDF)

• Apheresis Program
• Approach to therapy in High Risk Neuroblastoma
• Sickle Cell Disease: Pediatric Care in BC