Sickle cell anemia forgotten in tests

Re New tests for newborns Sept. 8.

At every turn, this society tries to deny blacks the dignity and acknowledgement accorded to everyone else. That the expanded testing of newborns does not include sickle cell anemia is only further confirmation this disregard exists and that it starts at birth. Shame on the Ontario government and the Ministry of Health in particular. Since the 1970s, community groups and health professionals have been raising the alarm about this blood disorder which affects primarily non- Caucasians. How many more deaths like that of Sanchia Bulgin must occur before sickle cell anemia is recognized as a disease which, if detected, can determine the appropriate treatment required? Dawn P. Williams, Toronto