Sir Brian Langstaff, Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry has made a plea to raise awareness of the fact that people with thalassaemia can and should participate in the Inquiry if they or their family members have been affected by contaminated blood. Thalassaemia is the name for a group of inherited conditions that affect the haemoglobin in the blood which ultimately causes severe anaemia and means sufferers may require frequent blood transfusions.

In the second week of the Inquiry hearings in evidence was heard form an anonymous witness known as Mr V. His thalassaemia meant that he needed frequent blood transfusions as an adult. In the late 1990s, Mr V was informed that he had contracted hepatitis C from one of the blood transfusions he’d received.  There is a real concern that people with thalassaemia may similarly be at risk without realising it.

It is estimated that over 2800 individuals who received contaminated blood transfusions have passed away from either HIV or hepatitis C viruses.

Thalassemiacs who have been infected with Contaminated Blood and family members who have been affected by the scandal are being urged by the Inquiry Chair to come forward and sign up to the Inquiry before it’s too late.

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