The Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (POPC) at The Princess Margaret was formed almost 10 years ago. Since that time, this multidisciplinary department has developed a wide range of innovative programs tailored to the needs of individuals and families facing cancer of almost any kind. These unique programs include the Harold and Shirley Lederman Acute Palliative Unit, the Healing beyond the Body Volunteer Support Program, and the residential hospice for end-of-life care that is currently being constructed in partnership with the Kensington Health Center. Treatment approaches in POPC are patient and family-centered, with an emphasis on early and preventive psychosocial and palliative care in the daily outpatient clinics at PMH.

	Paul Alofs, President & CEO of The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, thanks the family of Al Hertz for their generous donation to advance the care provided to patients battling cancer at The Princess Margaret.

“The perfect weather and the warm glow on the rooftop garden is a good omen for the Hertz Center – but we will be counting instead on the creativity, humanity and hard work of our clinicians, researchers and educators to keep our promise of a centre that is transformative locally and internationally,” stated Dr. Gary Rodin, Head of the Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care at Princess Margaret Hospital. Dr. Rodin also holds the Harold and Shirley Lederman joint University of Toronto/University Health Network Chair in Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care and is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto.

The Princess Margaret is dedicated to ensuring that patients receive comprehensive, innovative and compassionate treatment and support. With the generous gift from the Hertz family, PMH’s expertise in the area of supportive and palliative care will extend into the community and beyond, addressing the whole continuum of cancer care from diagnosis through to palliation. A calming and peaceful area, the centre will benefit countless cancer patients and their families, providing the most effective support and comfort as they go through their difficult cancer journey.