Letters 12/25/03

Dec. 24, 2003

The plague of Hepititis C

I am writing in response to Ms. Boursaw‘s article (There and Back Again, Dec 11). The article was bittersweet for me to read as I have been there.
My father was the unsuspecting recipient of a blood transfusion in the very early pre-screening 1990s. He was eventually diagnosed with hepatitis C and was put through the gauntlet of all things that hopefully, and for him eventually did, lead to a transplant.
Unfortunately my father did not get the outcome that so many hope for after a transplant. A whole new battle began within six weeks of his transplant. He lost the battle approximately a year and a half later.
It is hard for me to believe that almost two years have passed since my dad was born to eternal life at the way too young age of 50 due to this horrible illness that so many people are blind to.
People need to get themselves informed about this plague, but should not succumb to incorrect or insufficient information. I have been a professional body piercer in Traverse City for more than five years. It is widely acknowledged that one possible route for the transmission of any bloodborne disease is through the practice of body piercing and tattooing. The only way that this may happen is through the use of unsterilized or improperly sterilized instruments! Young people in particular must take heed; you need to be getting pierced and tattooed
by licensed professionals who use properly sterilized equipment. Quit
doing this stuff in your basements, bathrooms and wherever! It is no
joke that you could live to regret it and end up with this horrible
illness!
I have seen first hand the consequence of “ghetto“ tattoos resulting in hepatitis in a very young woman at U-of-M who was consequently waiting for a liver. Just pay the money and get it done right, professionally. Also, if you want to be an organ and tissue
donor just signing your license is not enough. You must register with
the state in order for your wishes to be carried out. I miss my dad
every day. He never got to see his grandson while he was alive. I
would not wish this tragedy on any one. As the bumper sticker on the
back of my truck reads.... “don‘t take your organs to heaven, heaven
knows we need them here!“ There is a severe shortage. If you haven‘t
already done so, register with your state‘s donor registry today.

MELANIE VILLANUEVA