Bill S-211, ‘An Act Respecting National Sickle Cell Awareness Day’

I jumped at the chance when Senator Jane Cordy (also of Dartmouth) asked me to sponsor her Senate Bill in the House of Commons. Sickle Cell Disease (SDC) is the most common genetic disease in the world- yet Canadians barely know anything about it.

Why I sponsored Bill S-211:

Back in September 2016, my office met with Rugi Jalloh, president of the Sickle Cell Association of Nova Scotia, along with her delegation. Each of them had compelling and personal stories of how this disease has affected their health or the health of their family members.

People with sickle cell disease frequently experience extreme pain in their bones. One person we met with has a sister who is mostly bedridden and requires home care. Another person we met had lost two family members to this disease.

The bill would designate June 19th in each and every year as “National Sickle Cell Awareness Day.” June 19th was chosen to commemorate the day on which a resolution was officially adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations, recognizing Sickle Cell Disease as a public health concern.

There are Canadians out there who don’t even know that they carry the sickle cell trait. Awareness will ensure that more folks are tested- that we have a better understanding of what it means when our friends or family are diagnosed with Sickle Cell. And what it means if we ourselves are diagnosed.

By raising awareness we bring attention to this serious hereditary genetic disease. We keep it top of mind among our best researchers our fundraisers and our communities.