MSCTG Annual General Meeting

The AGM in December combined the necessary ingredients of hard work, devotion and faith that made this particular AGM a success. Many attended to demonstrate their support, and appreciated just how much work goes into running an innovative and dynamic charity such as ours. We thank everyone who attended and all of those volunteers that helped to make the day as enjoyable as it was. Many evocative and sensitive speeches were made by many of our members including young and older suffers and carers. We thank those who so willingly shared their experiences with the rest of us. Eula Valentine reflected on the charity's achievements during 2005 and 2006 including : the successful recruitment of a new Administrator Finance Officer, National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, Support Groups, Welfare Benefits Service, training and study days and increased membership. MSCTG certainly has a lot to be proud of and as a result several positive outcomes have occurred due to the groups hard work.

Tribute was paid to Tayo Awosika —former MSCTG Treasurer— with a two minute silence, as he unfortunately passed away in September 2006. Our thoughts are with his family.

We warmly welcome James Bogere who was nominated and elected as Treasurer at the AGM and we are confident in his abilities to support MSCTG. We also welcome Heather Thomas who, after the AGM, decided to become a member of the Management Committee.

After the formalities were over, we had the pleasure of a talented young lady Ruth Brown. Her singing could only be described as earth shattering as she blew every one away with her outstanding vocal abilities. Food and Drink flowed as the hall was laced with smiling faces and everyone began to socialise until the sound of laughter became common place. Needless to say, many were there until very late into the evening.

A good time was had by all who attended and if you are one of the unfortunates that missed this wonderful event make sure you're there next time. That's right! We know who you are and were watching you!

Displays and Activities

MSCTG have been busy as usual and have been actively going out into the public in order to raise awareness. In June we participated in Carers Week where MSCTG set up a display. We were able to inform the general public as well as other service providers of our group and talk to them about Sickle Cell Anemia and Thalassaemia. The networking proved to be beneficial, as this is where Eula and I met Althea Finch and Christine Sutton who volunteered to help us with our Pamper Day.

Care connect had invited us to do a presentation throughout Sickle Cell Awareness Month at the Civic Centre. Due to its success, Care Connect has again invited us to set up a display for Black History Month on 26th October.

Eula has also liased with Wilfred Carneiro (Support worker for Equality and Diversity) and Judith St Hilaire (Haemoglobinopathy Special Nurse), both of whom work in St Georges. Eula informed them both of the gaps in service provision for those who suffer from Sickle Cell and/or Thalassaemia. Eula spoke in depth of your needs and expectations. The aim is for the medical professionals to work with us to improve services, especially in relation to The BME Communities and hard-to-reach groups.

The date for the AGM has now been confirmed for Saturday 25th November 2006. If you are interested in doing a short presentation expressing how you positively deal with your experiences, please get in contact with us. We would love to hear from you!

Sickle Cell Awareness Month

As you all know July is always National Sickle Cell Awareness month.

As usual this means that Eula and I are bombarded with questions about Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia! This year, as last, we had a week long display at the Merton Civic Centre.

We decided to attempt to dispel some basic myths about the disorders and to unleash some hidden truths, these had exactly the response we were looking for! Many people who might have otherwise shied away from speaking to us came up to the stall to ask questions!

Five Myths~

Only African and Caribbean people get Sickle Cell disorders!

Only Asian People get Thalassaemia!

I don't need to tell the doctors about my child having Sickle Cell Trait , because this condition has no health implications at all!

People with Sickle Cell disease cannot get malaria!

You can catch Sickle Cell disease from another person!

Five Facts~

You may be entitled to Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

You can apply for a Disability Parking Blue Badge

If you get Disability Living Allowance and have a Blue Badge you may be exempt from Road Tax

Disability Living Allowance is not means tested

You can apply for a Freedom Pass and Taxi Card

MSCTG on Local Radio

In keeping with Awareness month, Eula was invited to a local radio station in Brixton to be interviewed about Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia on Tuesday 2 nd August 2005. It was a long and memorable night which Eula and I will not forget for years to come.

CEMVO Seminar

Daytrippers Charity Summer Party 2005

This years Daytrippers exclusive Summer Party was held at the superb Clapham Grand, London. It was the only place to be on Saturday 25 th of June 2005 and so many of MSCTG's families attended the brilliant event. It was an amazing day that included something for the whole family. The Party included a disco with celebrity DJ's Gari Sav and award winning Manny Norte from BBC 1Xtra.

There were live performances from the band Time For Nothing, Grounded, Cookie and show stopping dance pieces from dance groups. Celebrities turned out in force to lend their support on the day and helped with the Daytrippers prize raffle which gave away lots of fun and fab prizes such as a Playstation, Xbox consoles, CD Players, DVD players and a family trip to Euro Disney!

All in all this was one enjoyable and memorable trip for many children and their families! Eula, Angela De Leon and I were very happy to see many of our “Young People” and their parents having a little bop on the dance floor. We all had a wonderful time! Many thanks to Daytrippers for inviting MSCTG along!

MSCTG Support Group Meetings

• Adult Sufferers & Carers Support Group

• Young Peoples Peer Support Group

Adults Sufferers & Carers Support Group

What?

The Adult Sufferers and Carers support group meets the first Tuesday of every second month. We would like all Adults/Carers to attend the sessions. This will be an opportunity for you to share your views with us, network and make friends with each other. This Group is for all Adult Sufferers and Carers of Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia suffers, we would especially like to welcome the elders of our families. The first session was held in July 2004 during National Sickle Cell Awareness Week at The Taylor Road Day Centre in Mitcham, Surrey.

Where?

All Adults Sufferers and Carers Support Group Meetings are to be held at the Taylor Road Day Centre (Off of Fleming Mead and Victoria Road) Mitcham Surrey.

When?

Tuesday 1st March 2005 at 7pm till 9pm

Tuesday 3rd May 2005 at 7pm till 9pm

Tuesday 5th July 2005 at 7pm till 9pm

Tuesday 6th September 2005 at 7pm till 9pm

Tuesday 1st November 2005 at 7pm till 9pm

Please contact us for further details.

Young Peoples Peer Support Group Meetings

What?

We are BACK! - The last few meetings of 2004 were a huge success with lots of you coming along and making some great choices about the MSCTG Residential Week and this Website! I hope your enthusiasm is still as high as it was. We have some exciting things planned for the group meetings. These meetings are for you, we want you to tell us what you would like to do, come along to the next meeting so that we can hear your ideas.

Where?

The Vestry Hall, 336 – 338 London Road , Mitcham Surrey.

When?

Saturday 5th February 2005 at 2pm till 5pm

Saturday 2nd April 2005 at 2pm till 5pm

Saturday 4th June 2005 at 2pm till 5pm

Saturday 6th August 2005 at 2pm till 5pm

Saturday 1st October 2005 at 2pm till 5pm

Saturday 3rd December 2005 at 2pm till 5pm

Please contact us for any further information.