History of OSCAR Sandwell

Organisation for Sickle Cell Anaemia Research and Thalassaemia Support (OSCAR) was first set up in the United Kingdom in 1975. OSCAR was developed to provide a direct service to the public and act as a link between Sickle Cell sufferers and the communities that were at risk from the conventional service providers.

Research was promoted into the blood disorder, out cry for better services, increase public awareness and screening and in turn offering counselling and support to sufferers and their families.

In 1988 OSCAR Sandwell was formed and followed the lead of other regional and local based voluntary non-profit organisation providers, they followed the lead of the national initiative to fight for a voice in getting Sickle Cell Anaemia and Thalassaemia on the agenda of their local respective authorities.

OSCAR Sandwell sought to develop and establish a range of similar services independently from the local authority, to meet the complex issues that affect those who have the blood disorders of Sickle Cell Anaemia and Thalassaemia. 

Over the last 19 years OSCAR Sandwell has committed much of its resources into promoting the well-being of those affected by Sickle Cell Anaemia and Thalassaemia as well as aiming to meet each sufferer’s individual needs whilst supporting their families and the wider community.

In addition to working directly with sufferers and their families; OSCAR also work to promote a greater understanding towards these blood disorders.  This nature of work is predominantly carried out through training and health promotion events targeted at health professionals and the wider community.

As a community based organisation we also endeavour to support a number of local community initiatives and organisations.  OSCAR Sandwell focuses its services more specifically on the expressed needs of sufferers, carers and their families.

OSCAR Sandwell has grown enormously over the years with an extending awareness and understanding towards the particular problems that are associated with these two blood disorders.  OSCAR Sandwell sees it self as a specialist organisation whose services are relied upon their clients and often feel that having knowledge of their condition helps us to understand their needs.

In the inception and even more so recently; the purpose built accommodation in 1999 that OSCAR Sandwell operate from have seen the fundamental changes in the activities, services and understanding that Sickle Cell Anaemia and Thalassaemia suffers receive.

OSCAR receives its main source of funding for our core services through two service level agreements with the Local Authority and Primary Care Trust.  Other sources of funding have come from National Lottery (Thalassaemia Project), New Deal for Communities Regeneration Fund, Local Town Team, Local Children Network as well as much appreciated donations and our own efforts to fundraise. 

Mission Statement:

“To improve the quality of life for people affected by Sickle Anaemia and Thalassaemia blood disorders”.

OSCAR Sandwell aim to:

• Improve public awareness of the disabling effects of Sickle Cell Anaemia and Thalassaemia.
• To give advice and support individuals and families affected by these conditions.
• Promote research into the prevention and cure of both Sickle Cell Anaemia and Thalassaemia blood disorders.
• Raise funds to continue the promotional work of OSCAR Sandwell.

OSCAR Sandwell offers:

• Advice and Information
• Support and Advocacy
• Screening and Counselling
• Education and Training
• Hospital and Home Visiting service
• Health Promotion
• Room Hire
• Volunteer Programme and Student Placements