ONTARIO BILL 175
Bill 175: An Act to establish Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Care Ontario and to proclaim Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Awareness Day
We need your support: Ontario citizens living with sickle cell and thalassemia diseases need your support now more than ever. Support Bill 175 by signing petition forms and writing your Member of Provincial Parliament to support the Bill. We thank you in advance for your time.
Preamble: Sickle cell and thalassemia disorders are debilitating genetic diseases that can cause organ dysfunction, limit an individual’s quality of life, and shorten their lifespan. There are more and more children and adults in Ontario who have sickle cell or thalassemic disorders, although there are significant gaps in research about the prevalence of the disorders. It is estimated that 5 percent of the world’s population are carriers of genetic traits for sickle cell or thalassemic disorders.
The Province of Ontario is leading the way among provinces in recognizing the seriousness of sickle cell and thalassemic disorders. In 2006, Ontario established screening programs to identify newborns who have sickle cell or other blood disorders. The next step is to provide the provincial co-ordination of comprehensive healthcare. This is crucial for ensuring that individuals and families have lifelong access to quality healthcare, genetic counseling, and social support.
Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Care Ontario is intended to improve the coordination of healthcare resources, promote awareness and education, and advocate on behalf of individuals who have sickle cell or thalassemic disorders and their families.
In co-operation with healthcare professionals, hospitals, research institutions, and advocacy groups, Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Care Ontario will develop provincial strategies for improving the coordination and quality auction-Day-Petition-Bill-175 sickle cell and thalassemia healthcare.
Proclaiming June 19 as Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Awareness Day in Ontario increases awareness of these blood disorders and dedicates a day to support individuals who have sickle cell or thalassemic disorders and their families.
Bill 175, Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Care Ontario 2014
MPPS. SUPPORT SCD&T CARE
Hon. Frank Klees- Newmarket/Aurora
The press conference held on March 19th, 2014 was graciously recorded by Hon. Frank Klees. Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJXmCxw63v8&list=UUMOHBZugLs7IA7nPA_p6lAw
Hon Rod Jackson- Barrie
Hon. Rod Jackson, MPP. for Barrie made a statement calling for a coordinated, comprehensive health care strategy for people with sickle cell and thalassemia (SCD&T) diseases. Below is the link to the statement Mr. Jackson made in the House regarding Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia, along with a link to the statement in the official Hansard.
This statement is an aftermath of the Action Day 2014 orchestrated by the Sickle Cell and Thalassemia communities on March 19th, 2014.
http://hansardindex.ontla.on.ca/hansardespeaker/40-2/l128-51.html
Hon. Sylvia Jones- Dufferin/Caledon
Hon. Jones writes Minister Mathews on the importance of a cohesive strategy to educate GP doctors in Ontario.
Action-Day-Sylvia-Jones-MPP-Letter-to-Minister-Matthews-re-Sickle-Cell-Awareness