Children undergoing cancer treatment in southeastern Ontario, and their families, now have access to potentially life-saving clinical trials closer to home, thanks to a new partnership.
Kingston Health Sciences Centre is one of only a handful of hospitals in North America, and the first in Canada, to gain affiliate status with the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research. The status allows KHSC to partner with the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) to share resources and expand the number of clinical trial our region.
For Dr. Laura Wheaton, pediatric oncologist and KHSC’s lead COG researcher, the change is about keeping families together.
“We know children do better when they can stay close to home. This partnership means families in our region won’t have to leave their community to access cutting-edge therapies. My motivation has always been to provide the care kids need here at home, and this makes that possible.” -Dr. Wheaton
Adapting to put patients first
KHSC has been a COG member for years. Membership is standard for Canadian hospitals providing pediatric oncology care and allows access to clinical trials offering new types of treatment. But this announcement expands the number of clinical trials that can be accessed locally.
Clinical trials at KHSC are coordinated through the KHSC Research Institute (KHSC-RI), the hospital’s own research hub. Every trial requires both scientific expertise and significant administrative infrastructure. Affiliate status strengthens KHSC’s ability to deliver on both fronts, enhancing administrative capacity while leveraging KHSC-RI's own research expertise.
Under the partnership, KHSC and the KHSC-RI will work closely with CHEO to share resources while maintaining the ability to run COG trials in Kingston. Families benefit from the same broad range of research opportunities available at larger centres, without hours-long travel.
KHSC is well positioned for this role thanks to its longstanding collaboration with CHEO. The two hospitals already share expertise and resources in pediatric care, making the affiliate partnership a natural extension.
Keeping care close to home
For families in southeastern Ontario, affiliate status will reduce travel, ease stress, and keep children connected to the world’s most advanced treatments.
“We’re proud to be the first Canadian hospital to take this step. It shows how we can leverage partnerships to put patients first, and to make sure children have access to the best possible care—close to the place they call home.” - Dr. Wheaton
