Genetic Hemochromatosis (GH) is a
hereditary disorder causing the body to retain the trace mineral iron over and
above its requirements. Without iron we couldn’t survive – its instrumental in
the transportation of oxygen around the body; but too much iron kill. As the
body cannot expel excess iron, it deposits it around our organs — mainly in the
liver, pancreas, heart, endocrine glands, and joints, where it turns into a
poison.
The subject is close to my
heart, having been diagnosed with Genetic Hemochromatosis 10 years ago. I
decided to write a humorous spoof thriller to increase awareness, raise funds
and bring humor; I believe laughter is the best medicine. ‘The Unexpected Consequences of Iron Overload,’ is a paranormal,
romantic, spoof thriller, with 100% of profits being donated to the
Hemochromatosis Society.
Jimmy has absorbed iron and
is now magnet. After a significant event in which he saves Barbara, the woman
of his dreams, from possible death Jimmy realises he can control his magnetism.
His life is further complicated after coming to the attention of the KBG - they
are interested in all things paranormal, and the CIA who are determined to stop
the Russians. Sheila further complicates life for Jimmy. Her father is Irish
though she was born in Australia. Unbeknownst to her she has Haemochromatosis and
is magnetic but of course, from the Southern hemisphere her polarity is
reversed.
For a disorder that few have heard of,
it is surprisingly common. In Europe an estimated one in 200 have the genes
linked to it — that’s 3.7 million people.
The Hemochromatosis Society — a charity founded and chaired by Janet
Fernau, MBE says “people are suffering from entirely preventable diseases and
even facing premature death because of a lack of awareness and testing.”
Left untreated, this insidious condition causes
individuals to develop life-threatening illnesses like diabetes, liver
cirrhosis, cancer, arthritis, and heart disease. The treatment is simple and cheap. The only
way to remove iron from the body is via the blood - venesection. Every pint removed takes with it 200mg of
iron and lowers ferritin levels by 25 as the body starts to use the excess
stored iron to make new red blood cells.
Hemochromatosis Society - www.haemochromatosis.org.uk – has as
host of resources for people who have the condition.
The preface to The Unexpected
Consequences of iron overload is a good layman’s introduction to the subject.
In addition, a list of worldwide support groups/resources
are included in my book.
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At
age 52 James Minter was diagnosis with hemochromatosis. He is one of the lucky ones:
he found out in time, and has no long-term organ damage. Researching the
condition, he discovered there are millions of people who are carriers or have
the disorder. The majority are unaware. The opportunity to stop unnecessary
suffering is great. As a fiction writer in the humor genre, James wanted to
use his creativity to bring hemochromatosis to the fore. He wrote The
Unexpected Consequences of Iron Overload.
This is a light-hearted paranormal, romantic, spoof thriller with a
serious message. Using the book he spends much of his time raising awareness of hemochromatosis via social media, blogging, presentations, press releases and
radio interviews.
