Mr. Speaker, I would like to talk today about a disease that affects an estimated 80,000 Canadians, many of whom do not know they have it. I am talking about hereditary hemochromatosis. Hemochromatosis impairs the body's ability to get rid of excess iron, which can cause very serious and sometimes fatal conditions, including liver disease, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, mental illness, and cancer.
The good news is that hemochromatosis is easily treatable without the use of drugs as long as it is diagnosed early enough.
The Canadian Hemochromatosis Society, CHS, has an excellent website at www.toomuchiron.ca, which features a very useful self-assessment test for people to see if they are at risk.
On the final day of Hemochromatosis Awareness Month, I invite everyone to a reception tonight sponsored by CHS and Senator Wells, who since being diagnosed has become a passionate advocate for increased awareness and early detection.
I ask each member to help spread the word about this condition. Their efforts could help save lives.