This is the personal account of Dr S J Strong, medical director of Sudbury Blood Transfusion Service during the 1980s when a mysterious and deadly disease which came to be known as AIDS first infected and killed countless humans throughout the world. The Sanguinary Years is a reprint of the similarly titled chapter in Strong’s private memoirs, Jottings, which he intended only for his family. An essentially private man, Strong did not aspire to publish his writing widely. He nevertheless very much perceives his professional life to be in the realm of public service, and it is in this spirit the chapter he recorded detailing his role in the blood transfusion service is hereby committed to the public record.

The calamity of infection, death and suffering caused by blood-born agents in the 1980s, was and continues to be profound. As if coping with disease and impending death were not sufficiently onerous, victims were additionally stigmatized and treated with fear and ostracization. Victim groups pursued prosecution of the Red Cross and other organizations responsible for blood supply in Canada at the time. Both the media and the crown proclaimed “ e Tainted Blood Scandal” which has become the indelible designation that pervades and primes public discourse on this period in our history. In his memoirs, Strong wrote: “It is sufficient to say I was motivated to provide a more comprehensive account that would convey an appreciation of how hard we tried to protect our patients and the difficulties and restrictions under which we worked."

Strong’s personal account succeeds at imparting a compelling appreciation of the many consequential strands of this story: the historical, personal, social, medical, scientific, business and political forces that intersect at the onset of the AIDS epidemic. The Sanguinary Years represents a vital perspective, essential to any discussion of this precipitous chapter in our collective story.

(free PDF linked below - "Author Website")