Campaigner Mark Ward’s “lightbulb moment” inspired him to write his life story
After a day in front of the television watching the Infected Blood Inquiry during the Covid lockdown I laid in bed, my mind whirling. The human impact this tragedy has had on all of us and the way my life has been consumed with this scandal. We are individuals who have their own likes, dislikes, loves, hates and quirks which makes us who we are.
Across the years various newspaper articles and documentaries attempted to tell stories of the tainted blood scandal. The devastating facts and figures charting our communities slow demise in a constant cycle of grief. But that isn’t what defines us, or tells others who the people behind the suffering really are. Faced with the threat of death from yet another virus, I wanted people to know about the person behind the campaigner, but how?
I feel like I’ve been fortunate, unlike so many of my friends across the UK and wider world. My thirst to see exotic places, experience new things as well as meeting new people came from my childhood and time spent in and out of hospital. I dreamt of walking on beautiful sandy beaches, seeing a kangaroo and flying off to distant lands that I saw in books or films like James Bond.
The lightbulb moment happened when I had to check something for the inquiry. I already have a rough outline of my life written in the statements I gave to Sir Brian and his team. That could form the storyline of a book. It would be my story; in my words; about my life.
I’d now like to share with you the Press Release from my publishers, the fantastic Inkandescent:
Further to the publication of the Infected Blood Inquiry on 20th May, Inkandescent are thrilled to announce the publication of haemophilia activist Mark Ward’s brave and brilliant memoir Bleeding Fabulous on 28th November.
‘Faced daily with my own mortality, I chose to live fabulously—each of my fifty-five years has been full of love, laughter, adventure… and feather boas.’—Mark Ward
The book tells the story of how a young boy came to be infected with blood borne viruses, and in spite of multiple death sentences, lived to become the world’s first ever LGBTQ+ Ambassador for Haemophilia.
‘Mark is a survivor, literally, of the HIV visited upon him through contaminated blood, but rather than revelling in the simple fact of life, he has dedicated himself to ensuring life remains possible for others.’—Sam Stein KC
Mark Ward is the founder of Haemosexual—an online support and information resource championing equality, education and better healthcare for everyone with a bleeding disorder, no matter what their sexual orientation. Mark’s battle to secure a public enquiry into the Infected Blood Scandal has led him to places he never expected, and to meet people he never dreamt of. This forthright(and fabulous) memoir recounts the journey of an unlikely lad from Letchworth who grows up to be a renowned and respected equality rights campaigner. It will be published in paperback and ebook with foreword by Sam Stein KC.
Publisher Justin David says, ‘Ward’s story is testimony to our capacity to overcome adversity. Through recounting his own harrowing experiences—as a haemophiliac tainted by the tragic legacy of contaminated blood—he sheds light on the plight of others affected by this injustice, igniting a powerful call for compassion, and compensation. Bleeding Fabulous is not just a memoir; it’s a testament to the indomitable strength of the human heart.’
Bleeding Fabulous is available for pre-order via the Inkandescent website, Amazon and all good book stores.