We are delighted to announce that Dr. Brooke Russell, Postdoctoral Fellow in the Psychosocial Oncology Lab at the University of Ottawa, Canada, is the winner of the 2026 Dr. Tori Willard Early Career Award.

This award honours the legacy of our beloved colleague, Dr. Victoria Willard, who made significant contributions to the field of paediatric psycho-oncology and was a dedicated member of the SIOP PPO Steering Committee.

Dr. Russell’s funded project, “Adapting Fear of Recurrence Therapy for Adolescent and Early Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer (FORT-AeYA): A Pilot Feasibility Study”, seeks to address the unique psychosocial needs of adolescent and early young adult survivors of childhood cancer. Her research reflects the innovation, compassion, and commitment to improving survivorship care that Dr. Willard championed throughout her career. Dr. Russell will receive one year of funding in the amount of $25,000 USD to support this important work.

We are deeply grateful to The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation for funding this award and supporting the next generation of leaders in paediatric psycho-oncology. The Andrew McDonough B+ (Be Positive) Foundation provides financial and emotional support to families of children with cancer while funding critical childhood cancer research. The Foundation honours the life of Andrew McDonough, whose B+ blood type became a lasting motto for family and friends throughout his battle with childhood cancer: to “Be Positive.”

We would also like to thank all applicants who submitted proposals this year. The quality of applications was outstanding and highlights the remarkable work being undertaken by early-career researchers around the world to improve the lives of children with cancer and their families.

Congratulations once again to Dr. Russell on this well-deserved achievement.

Warm regards,

The SIOP PPO Steering Committee

  • Lisa Kahalley, Co-Chair
  • Valerie Crabtree, Co-Chair
  • Chiara Besani
  • Yin Ting Cheung
  • Rhea Daruvala
  • Cinzia De Luca
  • Leandra Desjardins
  • Savita Goswani
  • Lori Wiener