Our stories

Arlene McFarlane

Arlene was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease at age three. She suffers from chronic pain which means that she is in pain most days and lasting more than six months. She experiences intermittent seizures and chest infections, has diabetes and suffers from chronic insomnia, anxiety and depression.

CAIHR’s Sickle Cell Unit has been managing Arlene’s disease to ensure her longevity and help her live a normal life as much as possible. Through the Unit’s advocacy, some medications for Sickle Cell Patients are now subsidized by the National Health Fund but some are not covered so Arlene has to pay for those out of pocket. Arlene was also employed for a number of years as a Data Entry Clerk at CAIHR.

Arlene is now fifty years old and had to move out of Kingston to be with her elderly parents who are eight-one and eighty-eight years old respectively. She has one sister who pays the rent and bills but now she is not well either. Arlene’s other siblings are unable to offer much support.

We are seeking donations for Arlene in the form of a laptop so that she can work remotely and earn a living. We are also seeking donations to purchase her monthly medication.