HISTORYIn May 1986 Paula and Lawson Calderon, parents of an SS child returned to St. Lucia from Jamaica where their daughter was treated for the disease during her first four years of infancy. At the University Hospital at Mona, Jamaica they were exposed to the research carried out by the Medical Research Centre under the leadership of Dr. Graham Sergeant, who had for ten years conducted extensive screening, tracking and counselling services for sicklers.
Having become very familiar with the disease, and concerned about the number of persons afflicted in St. Lucia they decided to see what they could personally do to bring some focus of attention on Sickle Cell Disease in St. Lucia. It was immediately recognised that there was a lack of resources directed towards assisting sicklers and their families, and further that there was a need for the education of the general public. |
Paula and Lawson Calderon
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Therefore the couple brought together a group of interested St. Lucians to form the Steering Committee for the purpose of creating a St. Lucia Sickle Cell Association. Crucial to these early consultations was the legal experience of Paula Beaubrun (as well as her role as President of the Cancer Society) and the medical advice of Dr. Ira Simmons, Consultant Pediatrian at Victoria Hospital, St. Lucia.
THE ST.LUCIA SICKLE CELL ASSOCIATION (SSCA) is LAUNCHED. The Cabinet of St. Lucia’s Government was prompt in allowing the Association to receive the necessary recognition as a charitable organisation. Very quickly after, on September 9th 1987, the St. Lucia Sickle Cell Association (SSCA) was launched with the support and backing of the Ministry of Health.
A small but poignant ceremony was held at the Venezuelan Cooperation Centre, Chief Medical Officer, giving the keynote address.
The executive then consisted of three doctors, a lab technician, mothers of children with the disease and other persons interested in tackling the problems of the disease in St. Lucia. [The original members were: Mrs Paula Calderon, Dr Ira Simmons, Marjorie Charles, Leah Etna, Lyle Chase, Timothy James, Dr. Deborah Louisy, Lynette Seon-Martial, Joycelin Fletcher, Leandra JnBaptiste, Paula Beabrun, Arlette Augier, Wendy Bain, Jerry Hyde, Dr. Emsco Remy, Caroline Murray, Betram Best, Jude Lubin, Virginia Meroe]
THE ST.LUCIA SICKLE CELL ASSOCIATION (SSCA) is LAUNCHED. The Cabinet of St. Lucia’s Government was prompt in allowing the Association to receive the necessary recognition as a charitable organisation. Very quickly after, on September 9th 1987, the St. Lucia Sickle Cell Association (SSCA) was launched with the support and backing of the Ministry of Health.
A small but poignant ceremony was held at the Venezuelan Cooperation Centre, Chief Medical Officer, giving the keynote address.
The executive then consisted of three doctors, a lab technician, mothers of children with the disease and other persons interested in tackling the problems of the disease in St. Lucia. [The original members were: Mrs Paula Calderon, Dr Ira Simmons, Marjorie Charles, Leah Etna, Lyle Chase, Timothy James, Dr. Deborah Louisy, Lynette Seon-Martial, Joycelin Fletcher, Leandra JnBaptiste, Paula Beabrun, Arlette Augier, Wendy Bain, Jerry Hyde, Dr. Emsco Remy, Caroline Murray, Betram Best, Jude Lubin, Virginia Meroe]
Natasha Calderon first Poster Child
Objectives of the SSCA
· To foster research and development staying current with today’s technologies, treatments and medications.
· To educate the community about the disease.
· To screen all New born children and the general public.
· To alert and inform medical and allied health professions regarding recent sickle cell research findings and developments.
· To raise funds and solicit assistance in order to carry out programmes.
· To help persons afflicted with the disease.
· To offer counselling services to all.
· To develop and expand the Support Group and become more community based.
· To educate the community about the disease.
· To screen all New born children and the general public.
· To alert and inform medical and allied health professions regarding recent sickle cell research findings and developments.
· To raise funds and solicit assistance in order to carry out programmes.
· To help persons afflicted with the disease.
· To offer counselling services to all.
· To develop and expand the Support Group and become more community based.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE ST.LUCIA SICKLE CELL ASSOCIATION
Since its inception, the Sickle Cell Association has recorded some significant achievements in the following areas:-
- Implementation of New Born Screening – 1990
- Provision of Screening equipment to the Ezra Long Laboratory, Victoria Hospital - 1990
- Provision of computers for statistical data to the Ezra Long Laboratory, Vitoria Hospital - 2005
- Development and Implementation of a statistical data base for all patients tested, at the Victoria Hospital - 2005
- Refurbishing of thePaediatric Ward at Victoria Hospital – 1990
- Provision of hot water for the Pediatric Ward at Victoria Hospital - 1990
- Clinical and Counseling Services on a weekly basis at the Sickle Cell clinic
- Immunization Programme
- Outreach Community Programme, island wide – A BEST PRACTICE IN THE REGION
- Medical treatment, local, regional and international – see Shandel’s Story
- Training of medical professionals and laboratory technicians locally and at the Medical Research Centre, Jamaica
- Established contacts with other similar institutions throughout the world especially at the Medical Research Centre in Jamaica and the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis USA in successful surgical intervention
- Assisting the islands of Grenada, St.Vincent, Dominica and Guyana to develop similar Associations
- Schools educational programmes annually
- Job skills training
- Assisting with school supplies annually to unemployed members
- Support Group
- Awareness month observed in September annually
- Poster Child as part of Awareness month
- 1st international symposium held on October 13-14, 1994
- Caribbean Organization of Sickle Cell Associations formed in October 3, 1997
- Regional Sickle Cell conference – October 31-November 2, 2003
- St. Lucia Sickle Cell Association Conference – October 2008
- Annual Fund Raising events held in December yearly to carry out projects