Raising awareness at the Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Advice and Wellbeing Event
The event was organised by Haringey Advice Partnership, which is led by Citizens Advice Haringey with support from Public Voice and Vibrance, and was well attended by both residents and professionals.
People with the conditions Sickle Cell and Thalassemia spoke about their experiences, including Samantha Greaves from Sickle Cell Cause, and Noel Gordon a longstanding Haringey resident who experienced discrimination throughout the 1970s in the UK education system, when the condition was not as well understood as it is today.
There were also speakers from Disability Action Haringey and the new Community Red Cell Service which launched in June 2024. The service is filling a void in support for people with sickle cell and thalassemia in North Central London, particularly around access to benefits.
Speakers emphasised how people with sickle cell and thalassemia faced stigma, clinical curiosity, microaggressions from medical staff, and even suggestions that they are exaggerating the condition. Paul discussed the recent Healthwatch Haringey project which focused on people's experiences around health, employment and the benefit system.
The event was also supported by One You Haringey, Carers First Haringey, and Women with a Voice who shared information about their services.
Thank you so much for supporting the Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Communities with such a powerful day of education and fun
Haringey's historic role
The event was important given the role the borough of Haringey has had historically with key Haringey residents and clinicians who were pivotal in peer support initiatives for those with sickle cell; Individuals such as Neville Clare who established OSCAR and Dr George Marsh the haematologist after whom the George Marsh Centre, located at St Ann’s Hospital, is named.
