As readers may or may not be aware, September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month. On September 19 & 20, 2014, the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Canada (SCDAC) together with the Canadian Haemoglobinopathy Association (CanHaem), hosted the second annual Canadian Conference on Sickle Cell Disease, the slogan/mantra of the event being, "Learning Together, Working together toward a better future for sickle cell disease."
Much of the discussion at the conference circulated around the current private member's bill introduced by Kirsty Duncan (L-Etobicoke North (ON)) and later re-introduced by Mike Colle, MPP (Eglinton-Lawrence, Toronto (ON)). The purpose of the bill, BIll C-221---the long form being An Act Respecting a Comprehensive National Strategy for Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemic Disorders, and the short form being, the National Strategy for Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemic Disorders Act---is to develop "a comprehensive national strategy for the health care of persons afflicted with sickle cell disease and thalassemia disorders," which Ms. Duncan and Mr. Colle along with supporters of the bill hope the Minister of Health will discuss with provincial and territorial health ministers. Hopefully, this will allow for sickle cell disease information and re-education to be disseminated to health care professionals from coast to coast to coast.
At present, in Ontario, Bill 175, The Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Care Ontario Act, 2014, seeks to establish Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Care Ontario -- an organization which would come into effect if Bill C-221 is passed -- to effect the following objections / goals:
As of March 19, 2014, the Bill's status read: First Reading Carried.
Help us support this great cause by putting heavy pressure on your local, municipal, provincial and national politicians (councillors and MPs). Let us make this private member's bill, the law!
Works Cited
[1] http://www.sicklecelldisease.ca/advocacy/get-involved/ Web. Accessed 20 September 2014.
[2] http://openparliament.ca/bills/41-2/C-221/ Web. Accessed 20 September 2014.
[3] http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&Intranet=&BillID=2958. Web. Accessed 20 September 2014.
Much of the discussion at the conference circulated around the current private member's bill introduced by Kirsty Duncan (L-Etobicoke North (ON)) and later re-introduced by Mike Colle, MPP (Eglinton-Lawrence, Toronto (ON)). The purpose of the bill, BIll C-221---the long form being An Act Respecting a Comprehensive National Strategy for Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemic Disorders, and the short form being, the National Strategy for Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemic Disorders Act---is to develop "a comprehensive national strategy for the health care of persons afflicted with sickle cell disease and thalassemia disorders," which Ms. Duncan and Mr. Colle along with supporters of the bill hope the Minister of Health will discuss with provincial and territorial health ministers. Hopefully, this will allow for sickle cell disease information and re-education to be disseminated to health care professionals from coast to coast to coast.
At present, in Ontario, Bill 175, The Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Care Ontario Act, 2014, seeks to establish Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Care Ontario -- an organization which would come into effect if Bill C-221 is passed -- to effect the following objections / goals:
- Seeks to establish June 19, of each year, as Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Awareness Day.
- Redefine Sickle Cell as being a cancer of the blood, thus re-educating the Canadian medical community and public at large, allowing sickle cell to have its own medical category and subsequent treatment void of cancer related medication and/or pharmaceutical maintenance prescriptions.
- Have Sickle Cell recognized as a Canadian disease AND a Canadian problem (Western problem).
As of March 19, 2014, the Bill's status read: First Reading Carried.
Help us support this great cause by putting heavy pressure on your local, municipal, provincial and national politicians (councillors and MPs). Let us make this private member's bill, the law!
Works Cited
[1] http://www.sicklecelldisease.ca/advocacy/get-involved/ Web. Accessed 20 September 2014.
[2] http://openparliament.ca/bills/41-2/C-221/ Web. Accessed 20 September 2014.
[3] http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&Intranet=&BillID=2958. Web. Accessed 20 September 2014.
