The S.Y.A. Black Empowerment Network, a Toronto-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to uplifting Black voices, hosted its first-ever Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Information Session on Sunday, August 10. The event, held at St. Joseph Anglican Church in Toronto, marked the beginning of what organizers intend to make an annual tradition aimed at raising awareness about this often-overlooked genetic condition.
The session was held in partnership with the Tima Kumkum Foundation from Ghana, led by celebrated media personality and G6PD advocate Cynthia Tima Yeboah, known widely as Tima Kumkum. Tima, who lives with G6PD deficiency herself, delivered a moving personal testimony that highlighted the importance of early testing and public education, especially in communities where the condition is more prevalent.
G6PD deficiency is a hereditary condition in which the body lacks the G6PD enzyme, vital for protecting red blood cells from damage. Though common among individuals of African, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and South Asian descent, the condition remains under-discussed in many communities.
Attendees also heard from Juliet Opoku, a Canadian Registered Nurse and Certified Diabetes Educator, who brought her expertise in community health to the forefront. Opoku, also CEO of Living a Balance Life Inc., delivered an informative and accessible presentation covering the causes, symptoms, triggers, and management strategies for G6PD deficiency. She emphasized the critical role of early diagnosis and community-wide awareness, particularly in racially diverse populations.
“The goal is not just to inform but to empower,” said Opoku. “When we understand our health risks and know how to navigate them, we build stronger, healthier communities.”
St. Joseph Anglican Church, a longstanding hub for Toronto’s Ghanaian and Black communities, served as the ideal venue for the session. Its commitment to community engagement provided a welcoming and inclusive environment for open dialogue and shared learning.
This inaugural event has laid the foundation for what organizers hope will grow into a key date on the health education calendar for Black communities in Canada and beyond. By bridging global advocacy with local expertise, the S.Y.A. Black Empowerment Network is creating a culturally resonant model for public health education.
“We’re excited to carry this forward,” said an S.Y.A. representative. “Health education should be accessible, relevant, and rooted in the communities it serves.”
As the first of its kind in Toronto, the G6PD Information Session has not only sparked conversation—it has inspired a movement.
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