Quotes:
"I am so pleased that the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario will benefit from the COVID-19 Immunization Partnership Fund. This will go a long way in helping to fill the gaps for vulnerable Canadians suffering from sickle cell disease. This funding commitment is confirmation that the federal government is listening and recognizes the special circumstances in dealing with vaccines, by those already managing challenges to their health," said Senator Jane Cordy.
“I am proud to congratulate the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario as one of the approved groups to receive funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada. Under the Immunization Partnership Fund, SCAGO will be aided in developing tools, training, and information for healthcare providers to counsel individuals on the importance of COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines, as well as support community-based COVID-19 education, promotion, and outreach, said The Hon. Judy A. Sgro, P.C., M.P. “I am extremely proud of our current Liberal Government for stepping up in the fight against COVID-19 and actively working to ensure Canada recovers from the pandemic as strongly as possible. I would like to congratulate the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario for all the hard work and effort they have demonstrated over their many years, and look forward to seeing the opportunities this funding will allow the organization.”
“I have been friends with Lanre, the President/ CEO of SCAGO, since 2018 and she has been a tremendous advocate for people with sickle cell and thalassemia,” said MPP Andrea Khanjin. “She was a driving force behind Bill 255, the Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Day and Thalassemia Awareness Day Act, and continues to push for more support for her community. I am thrilled that SCAGO has been approved by the federal government for funds for their COVID-19 immunization partnership, which will bring vaccines to people that are extremely vulnerable to this virus.”
“Recognizing that Ontarians living with sickle cell disease are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, the Province has prioritised vaccines for those at the greatest risk of severe illness, and for those who care for them,” said Rudy Cuzzetto, MPP for Mississauga-Lakeshore. “I want to thank SCAGO President Lanre Tunji-Ajayi for all her efforts to further address and reduce barriers to vaccine access and acceptance within the sickle cell disease community in Ontario. I’m confident that this federal grant, through the Immunization Partnership Fund, will help her, and other community leaders, in these very important efforts.”
“The leadership of the African-Canadian Social Development Council is excited about the funding awarded to SCAGO by the Public Health Agency of Canada. This project will be of tremendous benefit to our whole community and the Council is happy to be part of its execution,” said Kabu Asante, President of the African Canadian Social Development Council.