My name is Stefan Branov and I am a registered social worker in the Hemoglobinopathy Lifespan Program at London Health Sciences Centre where I support both pediatric and adult patients diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia. A significant portion of the patients I support are marginalized, living at risk, and represent socially disadvantaged populations, which has proven to exacerbate multiple stressors as their complex diseases are managed.
I remain humbled and encouraged by the patients and families I support. The challenges and the adversities they have had to overcome to access life sustaining care and therapies, as well as the strength and resilience they model living with their diagnoses always remind me of the great privilege and responsibility I have in my social work role.
