The geographic region lies north of Lake Huron (including Georgian Bay), the French River, Lake Nipissing, and the Mattawa River.
Northern Ontario is further subdivided into North Eastern and North Western Ontario. When the region is divided in this way, the three westernmost districts (Rainy River, Kenora, and Thunder Bay) constitute “Northwestern Ontario” and the other districts constitute “Northeastern Ontario.” Northeastern Ontario contains two-thirds of Northern Ontario’s population.
With the increasing number of international students at the four universities located in the Northern Ontario (Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Laurentian University in Sudbury, Nipissing University in North Bay and Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie); and the six colleges (Confederation College in Thunder Bay, Sault College in Sault Ste. Marie, Northern College in Timmins, Canadore College in North Bay, and the anglophone Cambrian College and francophone Collège Boréal in Sudbury; it became doubly important to provide resources and support for patients and families in this region. Many of the international students are from sickle cell prevalent regions of the world.
Services and Programs
Client resources, support, and referral
Support Groups– Currently there is not a large concentration of patients and families in this region, however, with international students arriving yearly in this region; there will be a growing number of families with SCD. As such, it is important to provide peer support for the identified patients and families.
Scholarships– Individuals with SCD in post-secondary institutions are welcome to apply for one or more scholarships provided through SCAGO. Grants are provided once a year at the Hope Gala & Awards event and forms are available at the link: Scholarships
Liaison with Care Centres
The SCAGO will liaise with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and other specialized centers treating patients with SCD to provide educational support to the medical and allied health professionals. This is to ensure optimal care for sickle cell patients and families in this region.
Educational Workshop
Learning for Life Education Series for patients and families– This education program helps ensure that patients and families are in control of sickle cell disease, rather than the disease in control of them. The sessions are designed to improve the knowledge base of patients and families and allow them to learn together.
Lunch and Learn– SCAGO- Northern Region hopes to include Lunch and Learn in the services provided with the expectation of improving knowledge transfer among health care providers.
Advocacy
SCAGO advocates on health and social issues affecting the quality of life of people with SCD
Financial Support
SCAGO provides emergency grants to a maximum of $250 for patients in dire financial needs. The grant has helped to support certain medications, food, and transportation needs. An application form is available at the link: Emergency Grant Application.pdf