In this edition of UHN On The Go:
Humber River Health joins the Princess Margaret Cancer Care Network
Humber River Health (Humber) is the eighth cancer program in Canada to formally join the Princess Margaret (PM) Cancer Care Network, marking a significant step toward enhancing cancer care expertise, research and education across northwest Toronto, Etobicoke, Rexdale and York Region.
The PM Cancer Care Network brings together local, regional and national partners with a shared commitment to improving access and care closer to home for patients and their caregivers. Through collaboration, the Network strengthens care pathways, expands access to clinical trials and enhances patient education to help deliver more timely, co-ordinated cancer care.
"Through the Princess Margaret Cancer Care Network, our goal is to strengthen care by sharing expertise and innovation across partner sites," says Dr. Andrea Bezjak, Medical Director of the Network. "We aim to address unmet needs while collaborating alongside, not replacing, existing partnerships."
This partnership builds on Humber’s established Cancer Care Program, which provides comprehensive, patient-centred cancer care through an integrated team of specialists. The program features a 32-bed inpatient unit for medical care and symptom management, including a radiation isolation room and a Cancer Care Clinic with 28 treatment spaces offering systemic therapy and access to clinical trials.
Within Ontario, Network partners include Southlake Health, Waterloo Regional Health Network, Oak Valley Health, William Osler Health System and Mackenzie Health. Beyond Ontario, partners include Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services, and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.
Adaptive Fashion Alliance, Canada officially launches
The Adaptive Fashion Alliance, Canada (afac) officially launched with an event that brought groups together to share their thoughts on what the future of adaptive fashion should look like.
"We're bringing together industry, designers, researchers, educators and people with lived experience to create a world where accessible clothing is widely available and top of mind," says afac co-chair and KITE associate researcher Helen Weston.
"This is so important to ensure that everyone has access to clothing that doesn't cause injury, enables their independence and allows them to express their individuality."
Afac was launched by KITE Creates and FIBRE (the Fabric-Based Research Platform) and is dedicated to making adaptive clothing more accessible.
Adaptive clothing is designed to make dressing and wearing garments easier, safer and more comfortable for people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, mobility limitations or age‑related changes.
However, adaptive clothing is often hard to find, with limited options that come at high costs. Designers may also lack the education and training to fully understand how to create adaptive clothing that fits individual needs.
The group is co-chaired by Andrea Wurster, Vice-President of Products and Partnerships at adaptive clothing brand Silverts.
Through advocacy and public awareness efforts, afac brings together health care professionals, fashion designers, retailers, manufacturers and researchers to share knowledge and best practices. By strengthening collaboration across these sectors, the organization aims to support adaptive clothing that is not only functional, but also comfortable, stylish and more widely available across Canada.
People and organizations who are interested in joining the group are encouraged to sign up
here.
Department of Supportive Care moves to new collaborative space
The Department of Supportive Care at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre gathered for a ribbon‑cutting ceremony on March 30 to mark its move to a new location at 522 University Avenue.
For the first time, the 115 employees and learners who make up Supportive Care are now working together under one roof.
The move brings together colleagues from Cancer Rehabilitation and Survivorship, Palliative Care, Psychosocial Oncology and other specialty programs, creating a unified team supporting patients across the full cancer journey — from diagnosis and treatment to end‑of‑life care.
UHN announced the acquisition of the
15‑storey building in 2024, which was supported by the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation for the expansion and growth of cancer care, research and education.
The new location includes Canada’s first Conversation Lab — a dedicated facility where clinicians can strengthen communication skills for emotionally challenging conversations, including addressing psychological distress, uncertainty and end‑of‑life concerns with patients and caregivers facing serious illness.
Toronto Rehab team hosts Zumba class for patients
Colleagues at Toronto Rehab's Musculoskeletal Multisystem Rehabilitation Unit joined forces in March to host a lively Zumba class in celebration of a patient's recovery.
The patient developed the idea as a way to mark the end of her rehab journey after her physiotherapist, Kajal Neto, began incorporating dance into individual therapy sessions to support her rehabilitation goals.
"I think this event was a great reflection of how we can make rehab more fun, engaging and patient-centred," says Neto.
"We were amazed at how quickly she started to make improvements in her balance and endurance. We had so much fun and wanted to share that with other patients and staff."
Neto led the class with dynamic enthusiasm, while occupational therapist Hannah Artes and occupational therapist assistant/physiotherapist assistant Caitlyn Aleong demonstrated adaptive Zumba movements to ensure inclusivity for participants with varied levels of mobility.
The patient also amplified the excitement by creating colourful posters and placing them throughout the unit, adding a meaningful, personal touch.
By drawing on each team member’s skills, the unit created an environment of encouragement, inclusion and shared accomplishment — all key elements in rehabilitation.
Staff and patients alike described the experience as a joyful moment of connection and progress, highlighting how teamwork — and a little dance — can play an important role in supporting recovery.
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