Lanre Tunji-Ajayi, M.S.M is a respected leader and global patient advocate for the Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and other hereditary blood disorders community, with decades of experience in patient engagement, organizational governance, and program development.

Her passion is personal. Following the death of her brother Sunday Afolabi from preventable and treatable complications of SCD, Lanre immersed herself in advocacy for community health and quality patient care.

Her efforts to build bridges across organizations dedicated to SCD and other inherited blood disorders are increasingly worldwide in scope, most notably through her capacity as a co-founder of the Global Alliance of Sickle Cell Disease Organizations (GASCDO) and more recently, the Global Action Network for Sickle Cell & Other Inherited Blood Disorders (GANSID).

As the Founder of the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario (SCAGO) and Co-Founder/Founding President & CEO of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Canada (SCDAC), Lanre’s leadership and advocacy is instrumental to the greater visibility and recognition of SCD in Canada.

Through Lanre’s ongoing advocacy at the helm of SCAGO and SCDAC, Canadians living with SCD continue to benefit from improved patient access and disease-modifying therapies.

In recognition of her continuing advocacy and leadership on behalf of individuals living with SCD and their families, Lanre is a recipient of the Governor-General’s Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), the Senate Canada 150 Award, and was recognized as one of the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian (ABC) Women in 2018.

She has also co-authored numerous research works.