Launching the Educational Program for Sickle Cell Disease Patients and Families
Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon
Tuesday March 18, 2008 @ 4 pm

On March 18, 2008 @ 4:00 pm, the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL) affiliated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – Memphis Tennessee located at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) launched an educational program for sickle cell disease patients and families. Two years ago, CCCL started the Sickle Cell Disease Program in coordination with St. Jude. The program is directed by Dr. Miguel R. Abboud, CCCL Medical Director. The new educational program will help build awareness among sickle cell patients and their families. This program is coordinated by Mrs. Randa Shahine, CCCL Nurse who is the liaison with the International Association of Sickle Cell Nurses and Physician Assistants (IASCNAPA).
 

The event was attended by a large number of sickle cell patients who are treated at CCCL, Mrs. Nada Tarraf, member of CCCL Board of Trustees, and Pediatric Hematologists Oncologist from all over Lebanon namely Dr. Ibrahim Dabbous from AUBMC and doctors Adlette Inati, Hassan Khalifeh and Gladys Gemayel from Rafic Hariri University Hospital. Dr. Marina Hajj, AUBMC Deputy Director and Dr. Gladys Mouro AUBMC Nursing Director were also present in addition to CCCL physicians, nurses and administrative staff.

Dr. Miguel R. Abboud, CCCL Medical Director, welcomed the patients, physicians and staff. He thanked his teachers Dr. Ibrahim Dabbous and Dr. Salim Ferzli whom he wished good health. Dr. Abboud announced the launching of the Sickle Cell Disease Educational Program and thanked Mrs. Randa Shahine, Nurse, the coordinator of the program and CCCL physicians, nurses and administrative staff. He also thanked AUBMC administration for supporting this program and CCCL Board of Directors for their continuous support and help towards the free treatment of all patients.

Randa Shahine, nurse at CCCL and the coordinator of the project said that “since the opening of the center on April 2002, it was imperative to implement an educational program for cancer patients and their families to enable them to comprehend the disease.” She added: “After the positive outcome we got from this program and after we started treating patients with Sickle Cell Disease, we found it important as well to implement an educational program for these patients and their families with the support of Dr. Miguel R. Abboud and the team and in collaboration with the International Association of Sickle Cell Nurses and Physician Assistants (IASCNAPA). I have to mention that this international society has offered us small gifts for our patients on this occasion.” About the program implementation, Shahine added: “The educational program starts with an assessment for patients and families on their level of education and knowledge about Sickle Cell Disease. After this step is completed, educational sessions will be given and awareness booklets in Arabic will be distributed.”