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About

The Geneviève Saint-Surin Foundation was born from the personal experience of the Saint-Surin family. Geneviève Viel, diagnosed with sickle cell disease (SS type) at the age of 3, underwent numerous hospitalizations throughout her youth. Now 44 years old and the mother of two children, Mya (10 years old) and Eva (15 years old), who also have sickle cell disease, Geneviève and her husband, Hervé Saint-Surin, decided to establish this organization to support other families facing similar challenges.

The project started with the initiative to encourage hydration in hospitalized children by distributing reusable water bottles. However, after the first collaboration with CHEO (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario), the Foundation expanded its mission to include broader support for families affected by sickle cell anemia, recognizing a clear need for additional resources and continuous support.

Vision & Mission

The Foundation aspires to improve the quality of life for people living with sickle cell disease by promoting crisis prevention through better disease awareness, proper hydration, and providing long-term continuous support to families.

The mission of the Geneviève Saint-Surin Foundation is to support families affected by sickle cell anemia by raising awareness about the importance of hydration, providing medical and psychosocial resources, and assisting low-income families and newcomers in managing the disease.

Father and Son
Psychotherapy Session

Our values

  • Empathy: Accompany families with compassion, understanding their challenges and needs.

  • Commitment: Promote awareness of sickle cell disease within affected communities.

  • Collaboration: Work with hospitals, associations, and healthcare professionals to offer coordinated and effective services.

  • Listening: Be attentive to the needs and concerns of families to provide tailored and personalized support.

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