World Sickle Cell Awareness Day: Celebration 2012
Theme: "Empowering Individuals Living with Sickle Cell to Live Life to the Fullest"
TORONTO, May 25, 2012 /CNW/ - On June 19, 2012, TAIBU Community Health Centre will be joining forces with the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario to commemorate World Sickle Cell Awareness Day with the purpose to celebrate the achievements of many who have contributed to the successes attained thus far as well as to amplify importance of increased resources for research and to make sickle cell anaemia and other hemoglobinopathies a public priority in Canada. In line with World Health Organization's objectives to promote equitable access to health services and support research to improve the quality of life for those affected, TAIBU will be announcing advancements made within the past year through its collaborative efforts with local networks in the GTA.
In March 2010, TAIBU developed a coalition involving the following networks: The Sickle Cell Association of Ontario, The Sickle Cell Miracle Network, and the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario as well as representatives from the following organizations/institutions: Central East CCAC, Rouge Valley Health System, The Scarborough Hospital, and Toronto General Hospital-University Health Network. The overall goal of this Sickle Cell Coalition Network is to engage in Best Practices and community-based research to develop comprehensive specialized primary healthcare, health promotion, and social support for adults with Sickle Cell Disease and their carers.
Throughout the past year a qualitative research approach for people with Sickle Cell as well as caregivers to draw upon their attitudes, feelings, beliefs, experiences in relations to perceived barriers in accessing emergency and primary health care services. The findings were presented at the Association of Ontario Health Centre's International Health Conference June 2011. Recommendations from this qualitative research have resulted in the following achievements:
- The formation of a Sickle Cell Self Help Group focused on the provision of access to appropriate support programs, resources and health/wellness education to enhance the lives of and empower individuals with sickle cell as well as their families/caregivers to function at their full potentials and live productive lives
- The implementation of an Emergency Department Protocol (Oder Set) for adults with Sickle Cell for adults with Sickle Cell Disease at the Scarborough Hospital
- The Introduction of Primary Health care Services at TAIBU for People with the Sickle Cell Disease including genetic counseling
- The securing of funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation in the amount of $220,000 to provide academic support programs children with Sickle cell as well as their siblings and also to enhance parents' capacities on how to navigate the educational system to leverage support for their children
The World Sickle Cell Day celebrations will be hosted at TAIBU Community Health Centre at 27 Tapscott Road, Unit 1 with a Press Conference at 5:00pm. The Press Conference will highlight speeches by the President of the TAIBU's Board of Directors- Floydeen Charles-Fridal, Executive Director- Liben Gebremikael, Dr. Larry Grossman MD, and Chair Black Health Alliance- Dr. Christopher Morgan.
Following the Press Conference there will be a community celebration to honour the contributions of all those who have been working hard to promote equitable access to health services and support research to improve the quality of life for those affected. The celebrations will culminate with a dinner and networking session. For more information, call Liben Gebremikael Tel: 416 644 3539 Ext 223 or [email protected]
TAIBU Community Health Centre
27 Tapscott Road
Scarborough ON M1B 4Y7
www.taibuchc.ca
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Contact Person: Liben Gebremikael
Company Name: TAIBU Community Health Centre
Voice Phone Number: (416) 644 3539 Ext. 223
FAX Number: (416) 644 3542
Email Address: [email protected]
Website URL: www.taibuchc.ca
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