Our Team

A few of the achieved feats included an impeccable national research program, provincial SCD groups coming together, inclusion of SCD in the newborn screening program of most provinces, drug approval, and the enactment of June 19th as the National Sickle Cell Awareness Day.

She is also a co-founder and the immediate past president/CEO of the Global Alliance of Sickle Cell Disease Organizations (GASCDO). In this role, she supported the foundational work essential to the formation and continuity of the organization.

During her tenure, the GASCDO achieved strong recognition within the global SCD community through partnerships with patients and their caregivers, patient organizations, care providers, hospitals, care provider institutions, and the industry. She also established programs such as the Global Sickle Cell Disease Family Network and disease-modifying webinars to support SCD families no matter where they live in the world.

GASCDO’s first awareness campaign, dubbed “SCD in My Language” was Lanre’s brainchild among other laudable feats.

Lanre also served as the chair, Network of Rare Blood Disorder Organizations; member, National Liaison Committee of the Canadian Blood Services; board member, Black Health Alliance; Chair, Governance Committee of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Canada, and board member, Kerry’s Place.

Furthermore, the Ontario Hemoglobinopathy Patient Association (OHPA) and the Racialized Health Initiative Working Group (RHIWP) are two of the informal groups orchestrated by Lanre in order to address disparities in care, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Lanre is nationally and internationally respected for proven leadership, ability in patient advocacy and support, patient engagement and relations, conflict resolution, organizational governance, compliance, and program development.

She has led and co-investigated research studies and received numerous awards including the Senate Canada 150 Award, 100 Accomplished Black Canadian (ABC) Women Award, and most recently, the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) conferred by the Governor-General of Canada, Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Julie Payette.

Her passion for sickle cell advocacy stems from a personal instance hitting close to home. In the late ’90s, her brother, Sunday Afolabi, suffered from avoidable and treatable complications of Hemoglobin SS disease (Sickle Cell Disease) – leading to his preventable, premature death. This propelled within her, a passionate interest in patient quality-assessed care. From that time on, she immersed herself in community health advocacy and research initiatives.

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Moji has over 20 years of leadership in investment finance, corporate accounting, audit, and financial services. She is currently a Manager and Team Lead in the Investment Finance group of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB). Prior to joining CPPIB, she spent 6 years as a Controller at Lumira Capital Corp., a Private Equity company. Moji started her career with KPMG where she completed her accounting articles. She held senior finance roles with Pacific Walnuts in Vancouver, BC, and Algorithmics, in Toronto, ON. Moji also worked as an audit manager with Diamond Bank PLC, Nigeria. Moji holds a BSc (Hons) in accounting from Ogun State University, Nigeria. She also holds the following professional designations: CMA (USA), CGA (Ontario), and CA (Nigeria).

Moji Ogunsanya joined the board of SCAGO in May 2014 and currently serves as its Treasurer. Originally from Lagos, Nigeria, Moji immigrated to Canada in February 2000 and has lived in Victoria, BC, Vancouver, and Toronto. She now calls Newmarket home, where she resides with her husband and 3 children.

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In her role, Ika has raised the bar around National Sickle Cell Awareness Day as she ensures yearly that many Ontario cities and landmarks inclusive of the CN Tower, and the Niagara Falls proclaim June 19 as world SCD and are illuminated on this day.

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She is working towards her CPA designation through online self-studies with McMaster University CCE and CBAP in view. Hamidat continues to support client services at SCAGO through the Respite, Emergency, and Transportation program.

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Janet is the outreach coordinator and also an integral part of the “Meet the Family” team which visits The Hospital for Sick Children to ensure families attending the SCD clinic know of SCAGO and available resources.

Janet’s goal is to one day, as a health care professional, devote herself to doing more research on treatments and a possible cure for SCD

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She currently works as the Project Lead, Biospecimen Operations at the Ontario Health Study.

“I see the importance of community outreach in order to spread knowledge and enlightenment. I have also benefited from the peer and family support group. I appreciate the opportunity to serve with a group of devoted volunteers and look forward to continuing to be a contributing member of this organization”, advised Abiola Oduwole.

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