Blood Transfusion related Hepatitis C

[sbd5251]

I was wondering how many of the people on here got HCV from a blood transfusion?  In 1989 my daughter received a blood transfusion which resulted in HCV infection.   She died in 2004 and in trying to understand how this could have happened, I discovered that the blood supply in the United States is horrible.  I sued the Red Cross, who wanted to settle with me, which I did not do because I would have had to sign a confidentiality statement. The suit was dismissed because of a statute of limitations issue.  The Red Cross never understood that is was not about money it was about them cleaning up the blood supply.

[nutpea]

     I wish you luck in your battle. It will make the world a safer place in the medical area..There is no reason for a person to win one battle only to sucumb to another... (oh my doc said if I go anemic from tx I could get a blood tranfusion. I think I wont, as I dont need anything else)  I always thought they tested blood first, to make sure it did not come from a person whom had a blood disease...But then I found out my mother sold her plasma for VODKA ! as often as they would take it.  I have also heard of people with I.V. drug habbits selling their blood so they can get more dope. I guess the places that pay for plasma/blood. make alot of money! so they have no insentive to screen it.  people think if they give blood, they are being tested for blood diseases, but I dont think that is the case. I worked at a plant..Lots of people with some real bad habbits of the past or present.
         I am sorry you lost your little girl..I think she would be proud of your efforts.  May you win your battle...

[sbd5251]

My mother had to have surgery several years ago and she would not sign the waiver when they brought into her because she said she would never take blood.  I agreed with her but did not say anything.  My three brothers came to me and asked me to talk to her and tell her to sign the papers.  I knew if I didnt say something to her they would never forgive me for it.   So I did talk with her and told her  "Sign the papers, Mom. I think old age will get you before HCV "  She laughed and said "OK, I guess you have a point after all I am 84 years old."  She didnt have to have it but she did sign the paper.   But we as survivors of people that got contaminated blood should not have to put up with the sloppy,  money hungry people in high salaried jobs deciding to send out blood that is contaminated.  I dont blame the people that are what I call the everyday worker at the ARC and other blood banks too.  I blame the people that are in power that could do something to make them clean up the blood supply.  They have done it to the tobacco industry, MADD got the drinking age raised to 21, and I dont see why we cant get the blood supply safer.  I know it will never be 100% safe but it can be a lot, lot safer than it is.

If someone, can give me a good explanation for blood products going out with donor suitability not adequately determined or donor previously permanently deferred for HIV or donor had vCJD,  or had traveled to an area endemic for malaria,  then i will gladly go away quietly. Maybe LOL  

I am a truly blessed person.  I have a very close family.  I have a healthy, happy, married daughter that is my pride and joy.  I  have a lot of young people in my life that keep me going.  

[child24angel]

The blood supply is still not safe.  It' much better then it was in
the late 70's early 80's...not 100 %

My daughter had her baby by emergency C section last year and had
to sign a waiver that she knew if she needed a blood transfusion
it might contain HCV...she signed it and said , there should be 0 chance.

My son passed away from HCV two years ago when he was 26.
Had severe hemophilia and had plasma until he was two.
Also, my brother a hemophiliac passed away had Aids/HCV/HEP B
he was 30.  

I don't know if you can do much about this now.  Things are still getting through yes,
not nearly as bad as it was. I hope you can find some closure however, you never
get over the loss of a child, not ever.  I sincerely wish you good luck

I'm truly , truly very sorry for your loss.
Elaine

[sbd5251]

I need the people like you that got Hepatitis C from blood transfusions and know other people that did to be standing with me.  I am going to do something to clean up this mess.   There is no reason in the world for this to be happening in the greatest nation in the world.  I have a great set of lawyers, that are working on this for me for nothing.  This has haunted my lawyer who is not even a partner in the law firm and he and I  have the blessings of the senior partner of the law firm. I have some letters that I have written to my Congressional Delegation that my lawyer is looking at to make sure that i dont end up in jail.  I could be considered a terrorist threat.  I know that I may sound like a NUT but I dont care.  As I said in an earlier post, suing them was not money related, it was about them cleaning up their mess.  If you are in the situation where you need any type of blood product,  you should be confident that it is clean.  One of my Senators staff members asked me what the percentage was of blood that was contaminated.  My response was (excuse my language)  and I quote "Who gives a damn about percentages, when you are the one that gets contaminated blood".   I asked one of the lawyers for the ARC that someday somebody he loved would need a unit of blood.  He will remember Candace when that happens.

[James10500]

Some real selfish people out there.  Giving blood when they are drunk and those that enable them.  No excuses absolutely disgusting.

[SusieS2010]

I am so sorry for your loss. What you are doing today is true advocacy. God bless you.

I, too, got my HCV from a blood transfusion in 1966. I really needed that blood or I would have died. I do have cirrhosis but I got 44 years so far, from that blood. I pray no one else must go through what your daughter did.