Board of Directors

Zacharie Liman-Tinguiri, President

My name is Zacharie Liman-Tinguiri. I am the president of the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario. I volunteer for this organization because I believe that together we can make a difference in the lives of people touched by Sickle Cell Anemia. We can help those who suffer from the disease realize their full potential, and spread awareness about the Sickle Cell. By education patients, families, at risk communities, the general public, and decision makers we can induce positive changes that will benefit people with Sickle cell disease. Education is a key tool in the realization of our objectives. Patients can significantly improve their quality of life by understanding their condition and by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Friends and families can support patients in their struggles with Sickle Cell by learning more about its consequences and how they can help. The general public’s awareness of Sickle Cell is essential to reduce the prevalence of the disease and to induce policy changes to the benefit of patients. Decision makers understanding of the social cost of Sickle Cell and the benefits of comprehensive management approaches is essential to improve the health care of Canadians in general. In delivering our mandate to educate our various constituencies, I am grateful to work with a devoted team of individuals who are contributing their time, and resources to promote a cause they care deeply about. Read more.

Rose Thomas, Vice President

I am joining the SCAO as Interim Vice President for one year. Prior to this I am working with the Federal government for 30 years and counting. I am managing a team of 14 staff. I am a graduate of Seneca College Business Administration Program. I have attained extensive business communication and management skill training through my obligations with the federal government. I am bringing to SCAO years of service in customer service and staff relations. I have also volunteered with Catholic Children Aid Service for four years, in addition I completed one year with a group named New Direction. I became interested in joining SCAO after meeting with the co-founder Miss Lillie Johnson, she was such an inspiration, powerful speaker and she had such passion for your organization that I was immediately touched and moved by her presence. My desires are to help save the lives of others by helping this association in their dispersing of information to the uninformed, awareness to policy maker, and the public to help with prevention of the illness.

Dr. Robert (Bob) Frankford, Public Policy Committee Chair

Dr Frankford was born in Nottingham in England. He trained in medicine at St George’s Hospital Medical School in the University of London. He emigrated to Canada in 1967 and followed a career in general practice in Scarborough and Toronto’s east end.

In 1990 he was elected to the Ontario Legislature as MPP for Scarborough East. During his tenure he became aware of the prevalence of sickle cell and the potential for improving matters for affected families. Working with the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario he presented petitions calling for universal newborn screening and also for provision of free essential drugs.

In recent years he has been a board member of SCAO and chair of its public policy committee. He is gratified with the progress that has been made, particularly the introduction of universal newborn screening. The public policy committee needs to continue to raise awareness in government and policy makers; it needs to listen to affected families and the community to set priorities in the many aspects of this complex problem.

"Medicine is a social science, and politics nothing by medicine on a grand scale" said the 19th century physician Rudolf Virchow. The sequal would seem to be that, if politics is medicine on a grand scale, medicine is politics on a small scale.

Miss Lillie Johnson, Education Committee Chair

Serena Thompson, Social Support Chair

Tiney Beckles, Director

My name is Tiney Beckles I have 23 years of nursing experience in a variety of clinical settings. I am a active member of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) and currently working as an Oncology Nurse in an acute hospital in Toronto. I got involve with volunteering with Sickle Cell Association of Ontario 2:5 years ago and is a Board member I have adapted to many changes in nursing and I believe that volunteering at Sickles Cell will help brings more awareness to the public about this blood disorder. Tiney Beckles RN BScN

Ulysse Guerrier, Director

Ulysse Guerrier was born in Toronto and Raised in Montreal. He was diagnosed with Sickle Cell at the age of 2 years. He started volunteering for The Canadian Sickle Cell Society at the age of 16 years and eventually became a board member at 18 years old. He is very involved in the Sickle Cell Community in Montreal and Toronto and is presently the Project Coordinator of the Sickle Cell Program with TAIBU Community Health Center. Ulysse is also a board member of the SCAO and liason person for TAIBU and SCAO.

Subpages (1): President's Corner

The Sickle Cell Association of Ontario

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