Saving someone’s life should trump bureaucratic divisions
To the Expositor:
Firstly, Kudos to The Manitoulin Expositor and the excellent coverage you have given to this killer disease that we have come to know as Blasto. No other media in the North has taken the concern to the public as you have.
Secondly, my sympathy to the latest victim’s family. My heart goes out to them in this devastating time of their life.
I can say that we, the family of the late Gwen Middaugh, know exactly what you are going through and the agonizing grief and trauma you are facing at this time. Our condolences.
If SDHU (Sudbury and District Health Unit) would recognize this to be a reportable disease, Manitoulin and many areas of the North would be aware of it. I understand that the Health Unit has agreed to join forces with your paper in educating the public on this cruel disease which is a giant step but what has to be done to have Blastomycosis added to the list of reportable diseases. I know of at least two or three people in Killarney and in other areas North of us who have also tragically died from Blasto.
Just where are SDHU’s “catchment areas” they refer to in your article? Blasto has reared its ugly head in many areas of the North. Don’t these areas need to be aware of it. In one article I read on the subject it describes Blasto as being found in any area around the Great Lakes both here and in the USA. What needs to be done to have it on the SDHU’s reportable list and save someone else from dying from it?
I would imagine both of these ladies would have attended at some of the same medical and health team on Manitoulin and lastly in Sudbury and those medical professionals misdiagnosed it not once but twice until it was too late for either of them. Perhaps our medical teams should be in attendance at these seminars to become more informed on the symptoms so they will be better equipped for the next victim.
Sincerely,
Freida Tann
(sister of Gwen Young)
Elliot Lake
