LifeBlood - Gill Fyffe

In 1983 Gill Fyffe, a highly educated professional woman, experiences a traumatic birth. A medical blunder results in severe blood loss, requiring transfusion. Aware of the spread of HIV, Gill is reluctant, but, with her life in danger, a plea from her husband changes her mind. Weeks later, Gill's moods become irrational and she starts to experience blackouts. After falling asleep at the wheel she crashes her car, wrecking it. She suffers from constant fatigue. Many years later and she receives word from the authorities she may have contracted hepatitis C during the transfusion. Tests show she is infected and she loses her job. Treatment is prescribed and after several years on Interferon, she is pronounced cured. However, the so-called wonder-drug leaves Gill with crippling side-effects. Her short-term memory is permanently damaged, making her unfit for work, her eyes are now highly photosensitive, and her skin blisters in sunlight. Legal enquiries reveal that due to the delay in being told of her infection through contaminated US blood products, she is no longer able to sue for compensation. LifeBlood is the extraordinary, heart-breaking story of a woman's treatment during one the UK's biggest medical scandals. Despite huge physical challenges, Gill Fyffe has painstakingly recounted the shocking story in her own words, as she and others continue to fight for justice. As a major enquiry is due to report after many years of delays, Gill's story is a timely and explosive reminder of the human cost of placing profit before ethics and the establishment's unwillingness to compensate for its mistakes.