In September 2024, the RBCD Hub’s Vanessa Ferguson and Sinthu Srikanthan were invited to speak at the Canadian Hemoglobinopathy Association’s (CanHaem) annual conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia about the intersections of racism and disability with sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemia.

Six steps to find a family doctor or nurse practitioner for your primary care in Ontario

Some people with Sickle Cell Disease may be at increased risk of experiencing stroke – which is when blood flow to the brain is blocked or there is bleeding in the brain. Stroke is life-threatening and scary. While stroke can result in many changes to one’s life, people can lead new and meaningful lives after stroke. This article describes the journey of one person with sickle cell disease who experienced stroke.

“You will hit puberty later than expected due to your Sickle Cell” – the conversation usually stops there. As children, many of us were not given much information on the signs or possible symptoms to look out for to indicate that the menstrual cycle has begun.

To honour Sickle Cell Awareness Month, the RBCD Hub partnered with UHN Patient Education and Engagement to deliver a Health Talk on Sickle Cell Disease.

The RBCD Hub is excited to partner with UHN’s Patient Education and Engagement to deliver a Health Talk on Sickle Cell Disease!

On June 15, 2023, UHN’s RBCD clinic hosted the fourth session of the Wholistic Health Series with Mindfulness Advocate, Reena Ruparelia. This session explored how to mindfulness meditation practices and its benefits for people with Sickle Cell Disease, Thalassemia, and other Red Blood Cell Disorders.

Living with sickle cell disease should not stop you from travelling. It’s important to know the risks of air travel and the steps you can take to keep yourself healthy and safe while travelling by airplane!

These guidelines apply to adults only. Speak to your healthcare provider for medical advice on your situation.

June 19th is Sickle Cell Awareness Day – a day dedicated to increase knowledge and awareness of Sickle Cell Disease as well as to provide support for impacted people.

On June 1, 2023, UHN’s RBCD clinic hosted the third session of the Wholistic Health Series with Certified Health Coach, Aisha Saintiche. This session explored how to take ownership of mental health and wellness, including five steps to take to support mental wellness as well as creating a personal mission to guide our lives.

While Sickle Cell Disease is primarily known as a physical condition, it can have a significant toll on a person's mental well-being. Studies have revealed that Sickle Cell Disease can trigger a range of mental symptoms such as anxiety, depression, poor nutrition, and stress. The chronic nature of the illness and the recurring episodes of pain and physical limitations can be stressful.

On May 18, 2023, UHN’s RBCD clinic hosted the second session of the Wholistic Health Series with Certified Health Coach, Aisha Saintiche. This session explored Intersectionality and Mental Health, including how Anti-Black Racism, Racism, Ableism, and health-related stigma impacts mental health and wellbeing for people with Sickle Cell Disease, Thalassemia, and other Red Blood Cell Disorders.

On May 4, 2023, UHN’s RBCD clinic kicked off our Wholistic Health Series with Certified Health Coach, Aisha Saintiche. This session explored mental health and why it matters for people with Sickle Cell Disease, Thalassemia, and other Red Blood Cell Disorders.

Counter-Storytelling is “a method of telling the stories of people whose experiences not often told.” By telling these stories, we can expose, analyze, and challenge racism as well as promote social justice. In this series, we tell counter stories to highlight the challenges and triumphs around community advocacy and Sickle Cell Disease. Beginning in the 1960s, Black Nurses in Canada and the United Kingdom, who were also battling workplace anti-Black racism, advocated for care for Sickle Cell Disease. In honour of Nursing Week, this article explores counter-storytelling through some of the many accomplishments of the Canadian Sickle Cell advocate, Miss Lillie Johnson.

May 8th is Thalassemia Awareness Day – a day dedicated to increase knowledge and awareness of Thalassemia as well as to provide support for impacted peoples.

Knowing yourself means knowing about your strengths and your weaknesses. When you have a chronic disorder, like Thalassemia, everything may seem like a weakness. However, if one looks deeply enough, one may see that this is not the case.

Counter-Storytelling is “a method of telling the stories of people whose experiences not often told.” By telling these stories, we can expose, analyze, and challenge racism as well as promote social justice. In this series, we tell counter stories to highlight the challenges and triumphs around community advocacy and Sickle Cell Disease.

This article explores counter-storytelling through the lens of the Black Panther Party.

It is Tiana’s 6-month follow-up appointment. She is sitting in the clinic room, looking around on the wall. Tiana notices research studies, the computer on the desk, and the medical equipment around her. As Tiana takes in the clinic, she begins to gather her thoughts about her health from the past six months to share with her doctor.

A Business Developer, Registered Nurse, MBA candidate, and Board Trustee of the Thalassemia Foundation – Shirin is always on the go! We caught up with Shirin and asked about her top five things to do during transfusion.

The University Health Network's Red Blood Cell Disorders Clinic is inviting patients, families, and caregivers impacted by Sickle Cell Disease, Thalassemia, and other Red Blood Disorders to join us for a FREE Five-Part Wholistic Health Series.