The Sickle Cell Foundation of Alberta (SCFA) is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to creating awareness about SCD and providing support services to patients living in Alberta. It was founded in 2001 by Dr. Ekua Yorke and Dr. Jojo Yorke to help patients deal with their condition.
The SCFA teaches patients coping skills for pain management, advocates for funding of SCD research and provides its members with access to the most current scientific research and information. It is led by a board of directors, consisting primarily of sickle cell patients, health professionals, patients’ parents and caregivers.
Our organization exists to support sickle cell patients, their caregivers and health care professionals in primary and acute care settings. We strive to increase research funding for SCD, and to create awareness and education around Sickle Cell Disease both within the sickle cell community and through our outreach initiatives with the larger community.
We envision a future where:
Sickle Cell Disease is broadly understood around the world through on-going education and awareness initiatives, All sickle cell patients have access to early diagnosis and the best medical treatment options, andResearch in the field of hematology and blood disorders leads to new treatment options and improved care for sickle cell patients.
The only known cure for Sickle Cell Disease is a stem cell transplant (or bone marrow transplant). Due to the difficulty in finding an identical match and the significant risks involved in this procedure, including life-threatening complications, it is rarely an option for sickle cell patients.