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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Vanessa Miller (CENTER) of the Bahamas Sickle Cell Association receives a donation from Maya Nottage, Marketing Manager, CIBC FirstCaribbean and Raymond Donaldson, Director of Corporate Investment Banking, CIBC FirstCaribbean.
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Nassau, Bahamas. August 24, 2016 – After nearly 20 years of inactivity, the Bahamas Sickle Cell Association is reemerging with new drive thanks to the assistance of donors such as CIBC FirstCaribbean. With Sickle Cell Month on the horizon in September, the newly revamped and reorganized health advocacy group received a donation from the bank to assist in its education and awareness activities.
Originally established in 1982 by Dr. Patrick Roberts at a time when nearly 1 in 400 Bahamians tested positive with the Sickle Cell Trait, the organization tapered out for two decades due to a combination of challenges and expenses. Now under the management of Lady Sonja Lynette Longley, the group has returned reinvigorated, touting ambitious goals for its first few years.
“One of our main goals this year is to develop a national registry, which would consist of screenings at birth at the hospitals and clinics” said Vanessa Miller, Vice President of the Bahamas Sickle Cell Association. “We have found that we have people dealing with the disease who have trouble coping and have no clue of how to deal and what measures they can take. If we step in early, we can assist.”
The central goals of the organization are to educate the public about Sickle Cell Trait and Disease and provide assistance to ‘sicklers’ and their families. Sickle Cell is a hereditary trait causing the abnormal formation of the red blood cell from its typical donut shape to a crescent shape, which can result in a number of health problems.
“It’s a myth that sicklers don’t have a very long life. Although the only cure at the moment is a bone marrow transplant which is not feasible for everyone, with assistance and education they can cope and live full lives. The funds we received today from CIBC FirstCaribbean will assist us in helping families dealing with sickle cell. Every donation that we get goes towards helping families with expenses and publishing information which we aim to distribute in the clinics and the family islands,” said Ms. Miller.
She added: “We hold quarterly educational fora and our next forum will be hosted by Doctors Hospital on August 18th at 6pm. It’s free to the public. Also, September is Sickle Cell Month. We have our Annual Fun Run/Walk in September 10th, the first Saturday in September and our Mini-Fair and Raffle September 24th at the R.M. Bailey Park.”
Managing Director of CIBC FirstCaribbean Marie Rodland-Allen said that sickle cell disease is a very painful, life-long illness that affects a greater number of Bahamians than most of us realize. ,. Through our donation to the Bahamas Sickle Cell Association, CIBC FirstCaribbean hopes to show people suffering with this disease that there are members of the corporate community who are committed to offering support and advocating where we can. Health issues are a major focus of our philanthropic efforts and we believe that through partnering with excellent organizations like the BSCA we can help to make a difference in the lives of people who need the most help.”
Ms. Miller thanked CIBC FirstCaribbean for the donation and the impact it will have on the organization and the families it touches.
“Today I am here because I am so excited about the work that we do at the Bahamas Sickle Cell Association and the outpouring of support we have received. CIBC FirstCaribbean‘s support is inspiration and motivation for us to continue to do what we do. It reminds us that people care, so I want to show my gratitude and say thank you.”
© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com
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