The Hemoglobinopathy Program at BC Children's Hospital provides state-of-the-art comprehensive care for all pediatric patients with sickle cell disease, thalassemia and other hemoglobinopathies in BC and the Yukon. The Hemoglobinopathy care team consists of hematologists and nurses, as well as social workers and other allied health staff. Patients are followed at BC Children's Hospital until age 18 and then transitioned to St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver for continuing care.  

Currently the Provincial Hemoglobinopathy Program looks after approximately 200 children and adolescents with hemoglobinopathies, with around 20 new patients added each year. Hemoglobinopathies treated at our centre include all forms of thalassemia, sickle cell disease, and other rare hemoglobin variants. This program also manages, supervises, and coordinates the chronic transfusion program and iron chelation therapy. When suitable, patients may be offered the option of bone marrow transplantation or other novel therapies, and may have the opportunity to participate in clinical trials and other patient-centred research. 

New patients can be referred by community pediatricians and family physicians, and via BC’s Newborn Screening Program.   

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