Person with lived Sickle Cell Experience & Advocate
![Serena Thompson headshot](https://framerusercontent.com/images/7bGyuzGSdNiSUZ2GU0gj4aWlEKk.jpg?lossless=1)
Serena lives with sickle cell disease and after experiencing years of humiliation, mis-understanding, isolation in schools, hospitals and at her places of employment, Serena became engaged in the sickle cell community as an advocate by joining committees and organizations championing for patient-centered care.
Serena’s main focus is advocacy and spreading awareness through information sessions such as conferences, symposiums, seminars and panel discussions, by collaborating with educational institutions, hospitals, community organizations and media such as radio and television.
Alongside Serena’s patient advocacy in the community, she recently served as the Interim President of Sickle Cell Association of Ontario, a member of the Minister’s Patient and Family Advisory Council, Healthy Debate committe, Medical Doctors Admissions, and was past co-chair of Ontario Health's Sickle Cell Disease Quality Standard Advisory Committee to name a few. Serena is now serving on Healthcare Excellence Canada, UHN ED Sickle Cell Working Group and as as patient Partner with the Institute of Genetics