Living Outside the Lines: Mad Cow Disease

By, Becky J. Miller

Mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy, sounds more like science fiction than fact, but sadly, it is a very real disease that can affect humans in a variant known as Creutzfelt-Jakob  (VCJD) disease. The human condition is attributed to eating contaminated beef products from cattle infected by mad cow disease.

Lest this topic scare carnivores into becoming vegetarians, let me offer a level of comfort; according to the Centers for Disease Control four deaths from Creutzfelt-Jakob disease have been identified in the U.S., however, those cases are believed to link back to consumption of beef outside the United States.

And here is where the subject gets very personal for my family. My husband, who served seven years in the Air Force, was stationed at San Vito Air Station, Italy from 1991-1993, right during the peak of the mad cow disease scare in Europe. The disease, a great source of concern beginning in 1986, prompted the U.S. federal government to prohibit the importation of certain types of live animals from countries where the disease was known to exist since 1989. However, that ban, did not protect military families living abroad during those years.

The beef purchased at the base commissary (military grocery store) was locally sourced and therefore, possibly contaminated. I recall hearing news reports on the subject during our tenure in Italy, but little more. It was not until we returned to the states that we discovered the eternal impact exposure would have on our family.

Prior to mad cow disease, I was a regular blood donor. Any time the Red Cross had a blood drive, I was there. For me, it was an easy, relatively painless way to give the gift of life. Sadly, I no longer have that opportunity. Nor do my husband and our oldest son. 

We’d been stateside for several years before I discovered the lifetime ban of blood donations for anyone living in Europe during the 1990’s. The company I currently work for hosts blood drives every quarter and has for the nine years I’ve been employed. The first time one was announced, I immediately clicked the link to reserve a time slot. Imagine my dismay upon seeing my circumstances in the list of non-qualifying donors. I still get sad every time there is a blood drive.

According to webmd.com VCJD is fatal within thirteen months; it’s been over twenty years since we lived in Italy so I do not understand how I could potentially be a carrier. Every time there’s a blood drive, I check the non-qualifying list just to see if maybe something has changed.

Admittedly, I’ve been tempted to lie and donate anyhow, but I cannot allow my selfishness to put anyone else at risk. The one positive circumstance that’s come as a result of my lifetime ban is that our two youngest children, who were born after our tenure in Italy, have picked up the blood donation gauntlet on my behalf. Once they became of age, each of them chose to be regular donors. Our daughter stood in line for hours after the explosion in West in 2013 just so she could donate. Our youngest son always lets me know when he’s donating, along with offering this reminder, “You know I’m only doing this because you cannot.” Aww, shucks, right?? 

Maybe you’ve never given blood. I honestly cannot comprehend what keeps a healthy, eligible person from doing so, but if you’ve not considered giving the gift of life, I’d urge you to please consider it. Your sacrifice would mean so much, not just to the people whose lives your donation saves, but to folks like me who cannot give themselves. 

And I promise, it only hurts for a second, plus the temporary pain is usually followed by snacks!!! How can you go wrong with free snacks???

Until Next Time,

Becky J Miller

“Warrior Princess”

Source: http://www.webmd.com/brain/mad-cow-disease-basics