CJD cure plea as Scot dies from disease

THE families of two of Scotland’s youngest CJD victims are calling for fresh efforts to find a cure for the disease after it claimed another life.

The parents of Donnamarie McGivern, who died aged 17, and 22-year-old Donna McIntyre, told of their shock after it emerged this week a father of three died from the condition.

Billy McCann, 61, of Ayr, fell ill just before Christmas and succumbed to the disease a week ago.

The condition causes brain damage and there is no cure. Symptoms can include memory loss, vision problems, slurred speech and loss of mobility.

Yesterday, Miss McGivern’s parents, James and Marie, both 54, said they had never got over the loss of their daughter 18 years ago.

Mr McGivern, of Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, added: ‘I do not understand how this can still be happening to other families.

‘It brings it all back hearing that other families are suffering.

‘This is still such a poorly understood illness. More research needs to be done – they need to find a cure for this because it destroys folk.’

Their view was echoed by the father of Miss McIntyre, who died in 2001.

Billy McIntyre, 71, from Aberdeen, said: ‘It’s been really horrendous since I lost Donna. I wish it had been me instead of her. They must do everything they can to find a cure and help victims’ families.’

Between 1986 and 1998, Britain was gripped by an epidemic of BSE in cattle. When transmitted to humans via contaminated meat, it is known as new variant CJD.

To date, 178 people have died from the disease.