Sickle Cell Association of Ontario

05/10/2026

Dear Mama,

On this special day, the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario would like to extend our warmest greetings to all the amazing mothers out there. Your unwavering love, care, and support have been a source of strength and inspiration to us all.

We recognize the challenges that come with raising a child with sickle cell disease, and we appreciate your dedication and commitment to ensuring that your child receives the best possible care and support.

Today, we celebrate you and all the sacrifices you have made to ensure the well-being of your family. We hope that this Mother's Day brings you joy, happiness, and a sense of fulfillment in all that you do.

Thank you for being a part of our community, and we wish you a Happy Mother's Day!

Sincerely,

Ulysse Guerrier�President/Director, Patient Support�Sickle Cell Association of Ontario

02/12/2026

A birthday celebration for a Warrior like no other.

Today, we honor Ulysse Guerrier, a true Warriors’ Champion, whose life has been a testament to courage, compassion and unwavering dedication. Born in Toronto, raised in Montreal, finally returning to Toronto, making it home. During those years, facing immense challenges, Ulysse learned how to stand tall, advocate, not only for himself but others. He would soon learn how important that skill was.

The journey that created the champion we all know today, started one afternoon when he went into the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario (SCAO) seeking assistance for himself and his late brother, only to have that turned around on him by Lillie Johnson who simply asked him what could he do for the SCAO and the sickle cell community.
From volunteering with The Canadian Sickle Cell Society at 16 to becoming a board member at 18, Ulysse’s journey has been one of relentless advocacy, education, and empowerment. He has served as Project Coordinator at TAIBU Community Health Centre with a focus on Sickle Cell Disease, co-founded the UJIMA Sickle Cell Emergency Fund, shares the story of Warriors around the world, including his own through his YouTube channel “Our Sickle Life”, and serves the SCD community in Ontario as both the Director of Patient Support and as President of the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario.

Ulysse embodies patience, kindness, and leadership. He faces his own challenges with grace, yet he always finds the time and energy to lift others, raise awareness and fight for better care and recognition for Sickle Cell warriors everywhere. His vision—to bring Sickle Cell Disease into the mainstream—continues to inspire all of us who have the privilege to know him.

On this milestone birthday, we celebrate you, Ulysse, an advocate, a mentor, a friend, and of course The Warriors’ Champion. Thank you for standing for others at all costs, for your tireless advocacy and for showing what it truly means to lead with heart.

Happy 50th Birthday,
Ulysse Guerrier – The Warriors’ Champion

01/30/2026

Dear SCAO Family,

I’m writing to personally remind you about an extremely important Community Town Hall on Bill S-201, hosted by the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Canada (SCDAC) in collaboration with the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario (SCAO), alongside Michael Coteau, sponsor of the bill in Parliament.

Our presence matters. Our voices matter. Our health depends on it.

This Town Hall is a critical moment for the sickle cell community. MP Coteau needs to see and hear directly from us — patients, families, caregivers, and allies — about the real-life impact sickle cell disease has on our lives. We must show that we care about our health, our future, and the urgent need for Bill S-201 to pass NOW.

We cannot afford to wait.
The time is now.
We are close to the finish line — and we need you to help us cross it.

⸻

📅 EVENT DETAILS

Date: February 7, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: 1250 Markham Road, Scarborough
Venue: Global Kingdom Ministries

⸻

👉 REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Please take a moment to register. Registration helps us properly plan seating and food for all attendees.

🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/BillS201TownHall-Ontario

⸻

This Town Hall is about you, your lived experience, and the future of sickle cell care in Canada. Let’s show our elected officials that our community is united, informed, and demanding action.

Please attend. Please register. Please share.

We are counting on you.

Looking forward to seeing you there,

Warm regards,
Ulysse Guerrier
President, Sickle Cell Association of Ontario (SCAO)

Welcome! You are invited to join a Townhall on Bill S-201. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the event.

01/13/2026

📣 COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT – TOWN HALL ON BILL S-201 📣

The Sickle Cell Disease Association of Canada(SCDAC),in collaboration with its Ontario provincial member, the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario, SCAO warmly invites our community to an important Community Town Hall on Bill S-201, hosted with Michael Coteau, sponsor of the bill in the House of Commons.

This Town Hall is a critical opportunity for people living with sickle cell disease, families, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and community leaders to come together, learn about Bill S-201, and understand how this legislation can improve care, research, and outcomes for our community across Canada.

🗣️ Why this matters:�This Town Hall creates a space for MP Coteau to hear directly from people with lived experience—patients, families, and care providers—about the real-world impact of sickle cell disease. Your voices are essential to strengthening and advancing Bill S-201 so it reflects the true needs and priorities of our community.

📅 EVENT DETAILS
🗓️ Date: February 7, 2026�⏰ Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.�📍 Location: 1250 Markham Road, Scarborough�🏛️ Venue: Global Kingdom Ministries

👥 Who Should Attend
✔️ People living with sickle cell disease�✔️ Families & caregivers�✔️ Clinicians & researchers�✔️ Community leaders & advocates�✔️ Policymakers & allies
✨ The program will include a featured presentation by a physician-researcher, followed by an interactive discussion with the community and invited guests.

👉 REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED�Please register to confirm your attendance:�🔗 https://bit.ly/SCD-TOWNHALL-Bill-S-201

💬 Your voice matters.�This Town Hall is about you, our community, sickle cell advocacy, and collective action toward change.

Please share this post widely and help us ensure strong community representation. We look forward to seeing you there!

With gratitude, determination, and hope,

Ulysse Guerrier
President / Director of Patient Support
Sickle Cell Association of Ontario

01/02/2026

💫 Happy New Year, SCAO Family! 💫

As we step into this new year, I want to take a moment to send each of you love, strength, and hope. May this year bring you better health days, renewed energy, peace of mind, and moments of joy—no matter how big or small.

Please remember: you are not alone. This community stands with you, walks with you, and supports you. We are one phone call, one message, one check-in away—always.

Thank you for your courage, your resilience, and for showing up for one another. Here’s to a new year filled with support, understanding, and continued strength together.

With warmth and solidarity,

Warm regards,
Ulysse Guerrier
President & Director of Patient Support
Sickle Cell Association of Ontario

12/02/2025

🌟 Giving Tuesday – Together for Sickle Cell Warriors 🌟


December is a season of giving—and in the Sickle Cell community, giving takes many powerful forms.

As we close out the year, we’re reminded that generosity isn’t defined by one moment or one type of contribution. It lives in every Warrior fighting through pain with courage, every caregiver who stays by a bedside, every advocate raising their voice for change, every volunteer offering their time, every person who donates financially, and every blood donor who helps save a life.

It’s in every nurse who understands the urgency of Sickle Cell pain, every physician who listens and acts, every researcher pushing for better treatments, every educator teaching awareness, and every community member who chooses compassion over stigma.

Giving also shows up in simple but impactful acts—
🔴 Sharing a post
🔴 Encouraging someone to donate blood
🔴 Starting a conversation about Sickle Cell Disease
🔴 Supporting health equity and patient rights
🔴 Helping ensure no Warrior suffers in SILENCE

This December—and on this Giving Tuesday—we honour every act of generosity that lifts our community.
Thank you for showing that giving is more than a season.
🩸 For us, it’s a commitment. A movement. A way of living.

❤️ Support the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario today:
👉 Donate here: https://bit.ly/Donate2SCAO

www.sicklecellon.ca

Together We can Make a Difference For 40 years, the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario has empowered people with Sickle Cell Disease, raising awareness through advocacy, education, fundraising, and outreach. Donate Now Learn More Who We Are Our Legacy of Service and Advocacy For over 40 years, the S...

08/15/2025

Dear Sickle Cell Community,

After 103 years of trailblazing, educating, advocating and standing up for what is right, the phenomenal human being known as Miss Lillian Johnson, will be making her journey home. Join family, friends, colleagues and those who have been impacted by her tireless work on Wednesday August 20th, 2025 at 11:30 AM at the Highland Funeral Home – Markham Chapel. The chapel is located at 10 Cachet Woods Court, Markham ON.

She will be buried at Highland Hills Memorial Gardens located at 12492 Woodbine Avenue, Gormley ON L0H 1G0 which is approximately 15 minutes from the chapel. After her interment, there will be a reception at the Highland Funeral Home.

We ask that those who plan to attend in person to be mindful of time, seating and those who may be differently abled.

For those who are unable to make it in person, you can view Miss Lillie’s Home Going on YouTube at https://bit.ly/LJGoingHome2025

02/28/2025

Our final "root" for this Black History Month is also one of our newer roots that was at one point one of the main providers for the tree and continues to be a solid part of the foundation that is the SCAO.

This Black History Month, we celebrate the remarkable contributions of Liben Gebremikael, a leader whose dedication to Black health equity has transformed lives and communities. As the Executive Director of TAIBU Community Health Centre since its inception in 2008, Liben has been a driving force in ensuring that Black communities receive culturally appropriate, holistic healthcare.

With over 30 years of experience in primary healthcare, social services, mental health, and community capacity building, Liben has worked tirelessly to address systemic health inequities faced by racialized populations. Under his leadership, TAIBU has evolved beyond healthcare, tackling the social determinants of health—education, income, housing, and lifestyle—recognizing that true wellness extends beyond medical treatment.

Liben’s impact is perhaps most profound in his work on sickle cell disease and diabetes, illnesses that disproportionately affect Black communities. In 2013, TAIBU became the first Community Health Centre (CHC) in Canada to run a primary healthcare program for individuals living with sickle cell disease, setting a precedent for culturally competent care.

But Liben’s vision extends beyond TAIBU. His advocacy for systemic change has influenced policies, ensuring that healthcare systems recognize and dismantle anti-Black racism. Through collaboration with organizations like the Black Health Alliance, Liben has championed initiatives that address the root causes of health disparities. The Ubuntu Village Project, inspired by the Zulu philosophy of interconnectedness—“I am who I am because of who we all are”—reflects his belief that healthcare must be community-driven and culturally anchored.

His unwavering commitment was further recognized in 2022, when a street in Toronto’s Malvern neighborhood was named “Liben Way” in his honour—symbolizing the path he has paved for future generations of Black health leaders.

As we celebrate Black History Month, we pay tribute to Liben Gebremikael—a visionary leader, a tireless advocate, and a champion for Black health equity. His work has not only transformed healthcare for Black communities but has also laid the foundation for a more just and inclusive system for all.

Thank you, Liben, for your service, your leadership, and your unwavering dedication to community well-being.

02/27/2025

Whether, is a seed or a sapling, all trees have a beginning stage that requires care and a little bit of luck. One of the first "roots" of the SCAO after it was now pat of the advocacy first is Zacharie Liman Tinguiri. A Trailblazer in the Sickle Cell Community

This Black History Month, we celebrate the resilience, leadership, and transformative contributions of Zacharie Liman Tinguiri—a true champion for individuals living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).

Born with SCD, Zacharie refused to let the challenges of the condition define his potential. Through perseverance and determination, he achieved academic excellence, earning a Master’s degree in Economics from the Ottawa University (2008) and an MBA in Finance from Cornell University (2016).

His passion for advocacy led him to become the first person living with SCD to serve as President of the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario. In this role, he played a pivotal part in uniting various Sickle Cell organizations, fostering collaboration that ultimately led to the formation of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Canada (SCDAC), a national body dedicated to advancing support and research.

Zacharie’s journey toward a cure took him to France, where he underwent a successful bone marrow transplant—a life-changing procedure that freed him from the pain of vaso-occlusive crises.

In 2024, he founded the Sickle Cell Knowledge and Information Network (SCKIN),a non-profit organization dedicated to providing patients, families, and healthcare professionals with accessible, high-quality medical information. Through innovative AI-powered platforms—SickleCellPedia.org (English) and DrepanoPedia.org (French)—he continues to bridge knowledge gaps and empower the global SCD community.

This Black History Month, we recognize and celebrate Zacharie Liman-Tinguiri —a visionary leader whose tireless advocacy, groundbreaking initiatives, and unwavering commitment have changed countless lives. His legacy is one of hope, unity, and progress for the Sickle Cell community worldwide.

02/26/2025

There are "roots" that have made it part of their life's work understanding and nourishing every single part of the tree and the forest and prides themselves on doing so passionately and professionally. For those that have had the pleasure of either being taken care of by her, working with her and advocating with her, they would all agree that Karen Fleming is that person.

Advocating through volunteerism, Karen has dedicated over half of her life to fighting for those living with and affected by Sickle Cell Disease. Starting off as a Paediatric Haemotology/Oncology Nurse at SickKids Hospital, Karen was also the Nursing Director for Camp Jumoke, a camp dedicated to providing children 7 through 17, living with (SCD), a chance to experience something many other children get to do without the worries of having to be hospitalized from activities related to going to camp.

Karen then saw the lack of training and resources for those wanting to know more about SCD and went down the path of becoming an educator herself. Whether it's through in-person training sessions or simulations, which played a vital part during the COVID19 pandemic, Karen has taken it upon herself to further educate herself by now holding 4 degrees, 2 Bachelors along with 2 Masters and currently working on her Doctorate in Education, all in her efforts to be the best Health Equity Activist she can be.

Launching Seamless Healthcare Consulting in 2022, Karen aims to ensure those belonging to racialized groups receive care that is equitable, safe, accessible, and anti racist. The impact of racism on the care of Black patients is unquestionable and has been happening for centuries. For Karen, dismantling health education requires a deep dive into the colonial structures that uphold our health professions schools which continue to inform the curriculum, decision making, and actions of those caring for patients from racialized groups.

Even with all this going on Karen maintains her belief in volunteering and helping the next generation by being a Mentor with the Canadian Black Nurses Association (CBNA), making herself available for education sessions at Humber College for their annual Sickle Cell Conference and sharing her expertise with the major Patient Advocacy Groups here in Canada, including where it all began, Camp Jumoke and the national SCD organization, the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Canada (SCDAC).

Having such a well versed "root" that remains as passionate today as when they started, we couldn't be happier in honouring Karen Fleming this Black History Month.