Patients Symposium Registration Form




Patient Symposium Schedule

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

8:30 AM Breakfast & Coffee / Opening Address from Dr. Abha Gupta and Patient Speaker

9:00 AM Financial Resources for Young Adults with Cancer

This session will provide an overview of financial resources that may be available to help with the financial impact of a cancer diagnosis. Government and workplace programs, as well as community resources will be covered.

Picture of Ilene Shiller
Ilene Shiller
Speaker Bio

Ilene Shiller, MSW, RSW, is the Manager of Financial and Workplace Programs at Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation. In that capacity, she helps cancer patients navigate financial assistance and benefit programs through the Money Matters Program and also leads the Returning to Work and Brain Fog support and education programs.

9:30 AM Figuring it Out (Together): School, Work, & Cancer

School, Work, & Cancer explores the unique challenges young adults may face when navigating school and employment during a cancer experience. This session will provide practical information on accommodations, returning to school or work, understanding your rights, and available supports, while creating space for shared experiences and discussion.

Picture of Sharon D'Souza
Sharon D'Souza
Speaker Bio

Sharon is the School and Work Transitions Counsellor for both childhood cancer survivors and AYAs at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. She has over a decade of experience in career counselling and academic advising, and is a University of Toronto graduate with over seven years of experience working within Employment Ontario programs. A significant part of her role is advocating for academic and workplace accommodations to support patient success. Sharon is passionate about empowering patients and making transitions to school and work feel more manageable.


Picture of Emma King
Emma King
Speaker Bio

Emma King is a School and Work Transitions Counsellor at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, supporting adolescents and young adults (AYAs) across Ontario aged 18-39 as they navigate school, work, and a cancer experience. She works closely with patients to develop individualized plans that address their unique goals, challenges, and transitions. Emma is passionate about helping AYAs maintain their sense of identity and direction during uncertain times. Her work also includes leading AYA-focused initiatives and building supportive programs that foster connection and empowerment.

10:00 AM Coffee Break

10:30 AM Pharmacy & Diet Myth Busters 101 / From Diets to Supplements: Making Safe Choices throughout the Cancer Experience

Learn how nutrition, diets, and supplements can impact health and treatment during the cancer journey for adolescents and young adults. Explore common diet trends and supplements, including what is known, what is not, and how they may affect cancer treatment. Gain practical tips to make safe, informed nutrition choices throughout cancer treatment and survivorship.
From natural health products to chemotherapy, discern fact from fiction using evidence-based recommendations for safe medication management.

Picture of Karmen More
Karmen More
Speaker Bio

Karmen More is a Registered Dietitian (RD) working at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre/University Health Network (UHN) since 2021. She provides clinical nutrition care for outpatients from the Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary, Gynecology, and Lung cancer sites. She is an RD voice and touchpoint person for the AYA team at the Princess Margaret.

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Megan Morrison
Speaker Bio

Megan Morrison is a Registered Dietitian working in Toronto Ontario. Megan received her Bachelor of Science degree, Nutrition and Dietetics Specialization from the University of Western Ontario. Megan has worked at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (PM)/University Health Network (UHN) since 2011. She provides clinical nutrition care for the Malignant Hematology Program, specifically Leukemia and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Program. Megan is an active member within UHN and sits on multiple committees, working to advance practice and improve patient care.

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Minh-Thu Nguyen
Speaker Bio

Minh-Thu is an oncology pharmacist in the ambulatory systemic therapy unit at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, focusing on IV systemic therapy treatments for standard of care and clinical trials. After obtaining her Doctor of Pharmacy degree, she started her career in community pharmacy before specializing in oncology. She remains passionate about teaching and empowering patients to safely manage their medications at home.

11:10 AM Gathering Community for a Cause

Fundraising is about more than dollars raised - it's about bringing hope to patients and helping fuel life-saving discoveries. When communities come together for a cause, individual efforts turn into meaningful collective impact. Gathering people around a shared purpose creates connection, momentum, and real change for those affected by cancer.

Picture of Keith Clarke
Keith Clarke
Speaker Bio

As the Director of Corporate and Community Partnerships at the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, Keith brings his deep passion for community, fundraising and leading teams in raising funds for cancer research. Responsible for overseeing all facets of the Community Events Team at The PMCF, Keith drives the mission, fundraising, operations and engagement with various families, cancer centre staff and teams, raising funds for cancer research that means the most to them. During his 16-year tenure at the Foundation, Keith, as the co-founder, has been responsible for building and growing the Journey to Conquer Cancer, a community run/walk that has raised over $13.5 million over the past decade. He also developed the DIY program, which raises over $500k each year, and worked with various third-party community events, ranging from backyard BBQs to galas and golf tournaments, raising multiple millions each year for cancer research at The Princess Margaret.

11:30 AM Sleep After Cancer: Busting Myths & Supporting Better Rest

Sleep difficulties are common during and after cancer, and advice about sleep can often feel confusing or contradictory. This presentation will bust common sleep myths and share some practical, evidence-based approaches to support better rest.

Picture of Aliza Panjwani
Dr. Aliza Panjwani
Speaker Bio

Dr. Aliza Panjwani is a clinical health psychologist and clinician-scientist in the Department of Supportive Care at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, working with the AYA program to provide developmentally attuned care to young adults with cancer addressing the psychosocial challenges that come with diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. Her research is directly shaped by the conversations she has with patients in her clinical practice and focuses on the emotional aftermath of cancer.

12:00 PM Cancer and Sex: Desire, Dating, and Disclosure

This presentation aims to normalize the impact that cancer and its treatment can have on sexual desire, intimacy, dating, body image, and disclosure to partners. Through a supportive and practical lens, participants will learn strategies for navigating relationships, communication, sexuality, and self-confidence during and after treatment.

Picture of Andrew Matthew
Dr. Andrew Matthew
Speaker Bio

Dr. Matthew is a Health and Clinical Psychologist as well as a Clinician-Investigator in the Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, and an Associate Professor in both the Departments of Surgery and Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. He serves as the Lead Psychologist, Director of the Sexual Health Program, Director of Psychology Training, and Head of the Genito-Urinary Survivorship Program at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, Canada. His clinical care and research are centered on urologic cancers, focusing on prevention, sexual health, survivorship, and improving patient quality of life.

12:30 PM Lunch

1:30 PM Supporting Compassionate Conversations While Living with Cancer - Gilda's Club

A cancer diagnosis can make everyday conversations feel unexpectedly difficult. It's common for conversations to feel different after a cancer diagnosis, and many people find themselves unsure of what to say or how best to express themselves. This session offers practical strategies for navigating sensitive conversations with compassion, clarity, and confidence. Participants will explore how to communicate effectively with their support networks during the cancer experience. Through guided reflection and communication tools, this session supports individuals in fostering understanding and connection. This 1-hour workshop will support participants in developing practical strategies for navigating difficult conversations with compassion, clarity, and confidence.