Woman Dying of Leukemia Humiliated by TSA Agents

SEATTLE — A Michigan woman dying of leukemia and on what could be the final trips of her life says that Transportation and Security Administration agents embarrassed her and contaminated her medication while she was passing through airport security.

Michelle Dunaj, 34, of Roseville, Michigan, says that she was on an “end-of-life” trip to Hawaii when she tried to pass through security at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on October 2. According to KOMO-TV in Seattle, Dunaj was carrying a large amount of prescription medication with her, and had checked ahead with Alaska Airlines to request a wheelchair and help dealing with the security line.

“I did everything they asked me to do, so I didn’t think it would be an issue,” Dunaj told KOMO. But she says that a TSA agent forced her to lift up her shirt and remove bandages from recent operations in full view of other passengers, despite asking for a private screening.

In addition, Dunaj says that a TSA agent forced open one of her saline IV bags, contaminating the fluid she requires to survive.

“I didn’t want to start getting upset and swearing and causing more of a scene or issue,” Dunaj told the AP. “But it definitely wasn’t handled properly.”

Dunaj says that she was given about four months to live, and will be entering hospice on October 17. She says that despite the TSA treatment, she doesn’t regret making the trip to Hawaii.

“Number 1 on my bucket list,” she told the AP.

A TSA spokesperson says that it is against agency policy to deny passengers privacy during security screening if they ask for it. The agency claims that it is investigating the incident.