CANADA, October 12 - Hilary Vallance, medical director, Newborn Screening BC –

“I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to the newborn screening laboratory team for all their hard work planning and implementing these new tests in accordance with sound screening principles and best lab practices.” 

Stacey Lintern, CEO, Muscular Dystrophy Canada –

“Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC) is overjoyed that babies born in British Columbia will now be screened for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Congratulations to the Government of B.C. on taking this important step that will lead to early diagnosis and treatments that will have life-changing results for individuals and families. Access to the earliest diagnosis will ensure that patients have access to the right treatment and healthcare at the right time, resulting in the best health outcomes for patients.” 

Whitney Ayoub Goulstone, executive director, ImmUnity Canada –

“ImmUnity Canada, formerly the Canadian Immunodeficiencies Patient Organization, would like to sincerely express our gratitude to Minister Dix, the Ministry of Health, PHSA, and all those who showed their commitment to the health of newborns born in B.C. by adding Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID) disease to the provincial newborn screening program. With thanks to these changes, any baby born with this rare immune deficiency in B.C. will be diagnosed at birth, offered immediate treatment and therefore increase their chances of survival from 40% to over 90%. This change would not have been possible without the support of the immunodeficiency community, patients and parents affected by SCID and the health-care providers who care for them.”

Dawn Shirley, parent of a child with SCID, Comox –

“Our family was very fortunate that Quinn was diagnosed with ADA-SCID within her first month of life back in 2016. Early detection and treatment gives them the best chance of living a normal and healthy life. We are so thrilled to hear all babies born in B.C. will now be screened for SCID.”