Diane Parsons, who led hep C tainted blood lawsuit, dies in Halifax
'How valiantly Diane struggled and championed the cause for others,' says Alexa McDonough
A Halifax woman who led a national class action suit for Canadians infected with hepatitis C has died.
Dianna Forsythe, better known publicly by her maiden name Diane Parsons, acted as lead plaintiff in the $1.18-billion suit for those who contracted the disease through blood transfusions between 1986 and 1990.
She died Aug. 1 at age 64.
Patricia Beresford, who was her family doctor for 36 years, said Parsons got the disease in 1989 after getting a transfusion for dental surgery.
"The 'untested' transfusion changed the course of the rest of her life," she said in a media release about Parsons's death.
"As a result of her transfusion she became extremely ill. Since that time she suffered from multiple medical complications of hepatitis C, which eventually caused her death."
Alexa McDonough, the former leader of the New Democratic Party, said Parsons helped many other Canadians.
"How valiantly Diane struggled and championed the cause for others battling with hepatitis C," she said.
Harvey T. Strosberg served as the lead lawyer on the case.
"She was a visionary and a leader. She put her faith in the judicial system and she was not disappointed. Thousands of Canadians have benefited because she led the way," he said.