Starting around 2010, Hamilton-Wentworth witnessed a surge in the number of families with sickle cell disease moving to the area. As such, it becomes very important for SCAGO to establish a local chapter to serve the families in this area.
With encouragement from Dr. Madeleine Verhovsek of the McMaster University Hospital (MUH), the H-W chapter was officially launched at MUH on November 7th, 2014 in the city of Hamilton. In attendance at the launch were the McMaster Hemoglobinopathy Clinic team, SCAGO`s own Ms. Doreen Alexander, and Ms. Dotty Nicholas.
In collaboration with the Ontario Black History Society, SCAGO held its first community awareness event at the Stewart Memorial Church on September 19th, 2015, and held the first parents and patients’ support meeting, facilitated by Linda Waterhouse and Jennifer Wolfenden of the McMaster Children’s hospital on February 29th, 2016 .
Awareness: We love to talk about sickle cell disease! If you live in this region and have an interest in raising community awareness, join a support group, receiving services or want to volunteer contact
Founding coordinator: Mayssa Atta: hw@sicklecellanemia.ca
