It is a miscarriage of justice that has robbed thousands of families of their loved ones.
More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products.
Decades later, and the infected blood scandal continues to steal lives, as families continue to fight for compensation.
One of those who lost his life was Nicky Calder (pictured left), from Newport Pagnell.
Nicky had the rare genetic disorder, haemophilia, which affects the blood’s ability to clot.
When he was just three or four years old, his parents were told of a ‘super new treatment,’ called Factor VIII.
Administering the drug at the advice of the doctors, his mum Rosemary had no idea that by doing the best for her beautiful boy she was infecting him with HIV.
Nicky’s parents learned that Nicky had been infected when he was 11-years-old, sheltering him from the horror as long as they could. When he was 14 years old they sat him down for the conversation no parent would ever want to have.
When Nicky passed away on December 20, 1999, aged just 25, he left behind his wife and 13 month old son.
Today, the Infected Blood Community Choir, Silence to Song, will release the single, Together We Rise. It is a way to highlight their cause, and to ensure their collective voice won’t be quietened.
The choir is made up of those affected directly by the scandal, and their families.
Rosemary (pictured right, with Nicky's brother Darren), who has tirelessly campaigned for justice, is one of those voices.
“For a community that has suffered so much pain and had to stay silent for so long, the joy found in creating music together is both healing and cathartic,” she told MKFM, “For so long we were silent, it’s now time to be heard. I feel very privileged to be a part of something so special and to be able to honour through music, those we’ve lost and those who have suffered.
“We would hope, eventually, to be able to create a professional album which will serve as an everlasting memorial to those who have died, and to recognise the resilience of all those involved in the infected blood community.”
Nicky’s brother Darren wrote the track.
"The loss of my younger brother Nicky was something I have struggled to deal with, unable to confront my grief for many years. His loss left a huge hole in me, and all my family, one which could never be filled," Darren said.
"For so many years I kept my feelings locked away, but by joining the infected blood choir I have found comfort and been able to open up and share with so many others who have suffered similar losses, the comfort gained from being in a safe and supportive space to do this has been hugely therapeutic for me.
"Having spent many of my younger years working as a singer and performer, the formation of the choir was something to which I felt I could contribute, to help our voices be heard and to make a difference.
Darren added: "I wrote our song 'Together We Rise' as a message for, not only the infected blood community, but for anyone who has been in a dark place, feeling lost and alone. There is comfort in unity. When you are with others who understand, you can find the strength to come out of the darkness and into the light. It is a message of hope, we are stronger together.”
The track is available to download from all the usual platforms this morning (Friday, Jan 30).
