Scotiabank Commemorates World Sickle Cell Day

Nassau, The Bahamas, June 17, 2016 – Scotiabank employees throughout The Bahamas including New Providence, Freeport, Exuma, Andros, and Abaco wore t-shirts and jeans to commemorate World Sickle Cell Day.

“Community is at the heart of all we do at Scotiabank. Our employees enthusiastically supported this initiative raising public awareness of Sickle Cell Disease and contributing funds to the BSCA. The Bank also made a donation to the Association,” said Leah R. Davis, Senior Manager, Marketing and Public Relations, Scotiabank.

June 19th each year is recognized by the United Nations as World Sickle Cell Day.

Scotiabank is Canada’s international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and Asia-Pacific. We are dedicated to helping our 23 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 89,000 employees and assets of $895 billion (as at April 30, 2016), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (TSX: BNS) and New York Exchanges (NYSE: BNS).

By resolution of the General Assembly in 2008, the United Nations determined that its member states and organizations would recognize the 19th of June of each year as World Sickle Cell Day. According to The World Health Organization, Sickle Cell Anemia is one of the world’s foremost lethal genetic diseases that have severe physical, psychological and social consequences for those affected and their families. Further, it is estimated that 500,000 persons are born every year with this severe and incapacitating condition. 50% of them die before reaching age 5.

The Bahamas Sickle Cell Association (BSCA) is a non-profit organization located in The Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The organization received its charter July 6th, 1981 along with the Articles and Memorandum of Association.

Dr. Patrick Roberts and a group of civic-minded individuals, some of whom were personally affected by the disease were instrumental in its formation. To his credit, he noticed that there was a lack of education in society as a whole, additionally in his own practice and in the public hospital there was an alarming rate of babies being born with the disease. BSCA was formed to increase public education and awareness of sickle cell disease in the Bahamas and to lessen the effects of its impact on those with the disease.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a severe blood disorder that affects hemoglobin, the protein found in red blood cells that help carry oxygen throughout the body. Sickle cell anemia occurs when a person inherits two abnormal genes (one from each parent) that cause their red blood cells to change shape. Normally cells are smooth and disc-shaped, these cells are more stiff and curved in the shape of the old farm tool known as a sickle — that's where the disease gets its name. Instead of moving through the bloodstream easily, these sickle-shaped cells are not flexible and can stick to vessel walls, causing a blockage that slows or stops the flow of blood. When this happens, oxygen can’t reach nearby tissues. The lack of oxygenated tissue can cause attacks of sudden, severe pain, called pain crises. Sickle cell disease is a life-long illness. The severity of the disease varies widely from person to person.

(Rawson) Employees at the Rawson Square complex and Leah R. Davis, Senior Manager, Marketing and Public Relations at Scotiabank present Vanessa Miller, Vice President and Jayme Gomez, Board Director of The Bahamas Sickle Cell Association with a donation.

Wulff Rd & Jerome Ave) Employees at Scotiabank’s Wulff Road and Jerome Avenue branch participate in World Sickle Cell Day along with colleagues at branches throughout The Bahamas including New Providence, Freeport, Exuma, Andros, and Abaco.

(Freeport) Employees at the Freeport branch wear t-shirts and jeans in support of The Bahamas Sickle Cell Association, a non-profit organization formed to increase public education and awareness of sickle cell disease in the country.
 

For media enquiries:
Maxine Seymour
Manager Public & Corporate Affairs, Sponsorships & Philanthropy
t: (242) 356-1446
f: (242) 356-1601
e: maxine.seymour@scotiabank.com