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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, April 18, 2012 · 12 Everyone needs help at one time or another By Brice Roy SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Helping and lending support to those who need it, comes easy to Oakville's Sunbo Sanusi, despite her own troubles. As a member of the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario (SCAGO) for the past eight years, she has dedicated her spare to time helping fight sickle cell anemia. Sanusi was introduced to the crippling disease when her son was diagnosed prior to her time with SCAGO. His pain and struggle meant hours spent at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children. "I have a son who has sickle cell anemia and we spent so much time in the hospital, it felt like I was literally living there," said Sanusi. That feeling of helplessness was one of the reasons she volunteered to help other parents in need. "During this time, when the children are in the hospital and crying and in pain, the parents need support. The trauma and the stress they go through is a lot," said Sanusi. "I was looking to do something that would help out the other parents. Then I found out about SCAGO." Sanusi dedicated herself to helping parents and patients alike. She joined several patient and parent support groups where she would visit the hospitals to lend a hand and sometimes relieve parents who had spent long hours there as she had. BUY MORE SAVE MORE PATIO EVENT GIFT CARD Receive a TERRA Gift Card with patio furniture purchase, April 19th - May 2nd. Valid for regular price items only. See details in store. Essentials Best Value Everyday! Willow Hakuro Nishiki 2 Gal. Visit the sunny side of our nursery & save! All Fruit Trees Earth Day is April 22nd! TERRA Essentials Trees (7 Gal.): Autumn Blaze Maple (pictured), Chanticleer Ornamental Pear, Ivory Silk Lilac Tree, $79.99 $9.99 SAVE $15 Mix & Match 4" Cape Daisy or Ranunculus Reg. $3.99/ea Roses Reg. $17.99 Reg. from $49.99 3 for $30 Reg. $14.99 Pond Builder's Workshops! MILTON April 28th Call Milton for registration 905-876-4000 5 for $10 30% off Outdoor decorative products - choose from trellises, obelisks & shepherd hooks OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK: Sat. - Wed. 9am - 6pm, Thurs. - Fri. 9am - 8pm All items while quantities last, subject to availability. Category offers exclude "TERRA Essentials" Sale period: Apr. 19th-25th www.terragreenhouses.com Burlington Hwy #5 East of Brant St. (905) 332-3222 · Milton Britannia Rd.West ofTrafalgar (905) 876-4000 Waterdown Hwy #6 & 5th Concession E. (905) 689-1999 ·Vaughan Keele St. North of Kirby Sideroad (905) 832-6955 "I talk to parents and children about the organization. We spread the word that there's hope and help out there," said Sanusi. "We're not doctors, we're not nurses, but we empathize with people, especially the mothers who have sickle cell children, I know what they're feeling." Despite her full-time job, Sanusi volunteers frequently on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children as well as helping with SCAGO events and committees. Her exceptional efforts have led Sanusi to be named the SCAGO Volunteer of the Year. She will receive her award at the SCAGO Hope Gala and Awards ceremony on May 26. "It was a huge, huge honour when I received the letter but, whatever I'm doing, I just do out of my own free will just to help," said Sanusi. "Everybody needs help and support sometimes. No matter what." What pushed Sanusi ahead of the other volunteers this year was complete commitment to the cause despite her own troubles. "We chose Sunbo because of her dedication. Sometimes she doesn't have access to a car but, she'll still take the bus to SickKids or wherever we need her to go," said Lanre Tunji-Ajayi, SCAGO advisory board member. "Even when her own child is an admission at SickKids, she still finds the time to visit other parents. We found it amazing the way she gives to combating the disease." Sanusi says not having access to her car is no reason to stop providing support and giving back. "Usually, I drive to the hospital when I have my car. When I don't have my car I take the train and the bus. That's nothing to disrupt you from helping. I have my two arms, legs, and eyes to help with," said Sanusi. Her positive attitude and willingness to help has left a lasting impression on Sanusi's fellow SCAGO members. "Her attitude helps encourage other people to join the organization," said Tunji-Ajayi. "Everything you ask her to do, she does with a smile. Sometimes its just her spirit and the way she approaches the tasks with no grumbling, no complaining." The recognition she receives won't change Sanusi's work ethic or her message of support, either, she says. "I will continue to support the patients and SCAGO with any job or any capacity I'm given. I'll jump right in," said Sanusi. "We all need support especially when the children are in pain. Support and assistance show people they are not suffering alone. If we can just all come together to raise awareness and educate, it goes a long way."