Newfoundland and Labrador Blood and Immune Disorders Research Advocacy and Education Project
A Project of Dr. Mary-Frances Scully, Associate Professor, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Dr. Palinder Kamra, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Memorial University of Newfoundland
New EVENT upcoming...
March 1, 2012 NL Thrombosis, Blood and Immune Disorders Education and Research project
March 1 marked the first event for 2012 for the NL Thrombosis, Blood and Immune Disorders Research and Education project and it was a great start to our year. Dr. Scully welcomed the audience and speakers and gave an introduction to the project and its goals. Karin Smith bravely presented her story. The audience was moved as Karin spoke of her health struggles as a young woman planning to start a family and encouraged by how well Karin is doing despite a diagnosis of the antiphospholipid syndrome complicated by pregnancy loss and blood clots. Karin is a great advocate for an anticoagulation clinic in St. John's.
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| Dr. Chitsike |
Dr. Larijani |
Dr. Gangal |
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| Ms. Smith |
Dr. Scully |
Dr. Kmara |
Dr. Mani Larijani impressed everyone with a brilliantly clear description of our immune system. Audience members who did not have a background in the biological sciences were delighted to be able to follow this talk. Those of us with a background in science were even more impressed. It is very rare to find a research scientist who can present very complex concepts so clearly without losing accuracy. Dr. Rufaro Chitsike then presented an overview of venous thrombo-embolic events . Again Dr. Chitsike presented complex medical information with fluency and charm. This talk was also very well received. Dr. Gangul from Novonordisk presented an interesting perspective on new recombinant products in the pipe-line for the treatment of Hemophilia. The panel discussion was lively and informative. Dr. Pali Kamra contributed greatly to this as many audience members had clinical immunology questions. Novonordisk was a generous sponsor of this event.
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| Panel discussion: (From left - Dr. Larijani, Dr. Chitsike, Ms Smith, Dr. Gangal, Dr. Scully) |
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| Panel discussion: (with Dr. Kamra, right) |
The speakers were all volunteers who donated their time, knowledge and talent to this cause. Again Charlie Cheeseman contributed greatly to the smooth running of the event. Drs Scully, Kamra and Mr. Cheeseman were pleased with the returned evaluations. 18 evaluations were returned and gave an event score of 4.9 /5.0.
Cancers of the blood and immune system account for 20 per cent of cancer patients in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Myeloma and lymphoma are the most common blood cancers. Cancer, diabetes mellitus, stroke, heart disease, blood clots and anemia are highly prevalent in our province. We have become concerned by the possibility that the number of patients presenting with primary resistant leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma may be increasing.
The anemia of chronic disease is a very common complication of cancer, inflammatory arthritis, uncontrolled diabetes, kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease and other inflammatory disorders. Anemia caused by iron deficiency occurs at all ages; in young children, teenagers, pregnant women and in elderly people with disorders of the digestive system. Untreated, unrecognized anemia contributes to a decreased quality of life and prolongs hospital stays.
Hemochromatosis is another genetic cause of illness. These patients accumulate iron in their bodies leading to toxicity. The incidence of a variety of genetic mutations is known to be elevated in the Newfoundland and Labrador population.
Five per cent of the population is heterozygous for the Factor V Leiden mutation. Two per cent of the population is heterozygous for the Prothrombin gene mutation. These mutations, under certain circumstances, may increase the risk of the individual experiencing venous or arterial clotting problems such as deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction and stroke.
Approximately ten thousand individuals in the province are taking oral anticoagulant therapy to prevent further blood clots. Blood clots are a common complication of cancer therapy, diabetes mellitus as well as being common complications of obesity, inactivity, surgery, injury, cardiac failure, lung failure, inflammatory bowel disease, liver and kidney disease, and other rare illnesses.
In addition to these common disorders, Newfoundland and Labrador has the highest reported rate yet in Canada of rare bleeding disorders. In particular, there is a very high prevalence of mild hemophilia A and severe Factor XIII deficiency. In North America, five to 10 per cent of women experience problems with heavy periods or bleeding with pregnancy. Some become severely anemic and can have life threatening bleeding.
In summary, disorders of the blood and immune system affect a very high proportion of the population of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Newfoundland and Labrador Thrombosis, Blood and Immunology Research and Education Project is designed to promote and develop education and research to address these challenges.