News Story done 15 years ago! A new blood scandal: hepatitis C

Makes you realize how long this "unrecognized epidemic" has really been going on with the general public/media not paying a bit of attention yet we hear the words HIV at least once each hour every day. This news story was FIFTEEN YEARS AGO! Sadly, I don't see that *we* have made much progress!

Copy and paste the link into your browser to watch the video!
http://archives.cbc.ca/health/public_health/clips/4461/&ref=rss


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A new blood scandal: hepatitis C

Broadcast Date: Dec. 13, 1994

It's a familiar story: a deadly virus has infected the blood supply. Many people don't know they're infected until a number of symptoms prompt a test and a diagnosis. But this isn't AIDS: it's hepatitis C, which can lie dormant in the body for years before causing chronic infections, liver disease and death. A CBC documentary reveals that thousands of Canadians have the virus and don't know it.

The Canadian Red Cross is poised to recommend that anyone who received a blood transfusion before 1990 get tested for hepatitis C. Many observers wonder why the Red Cross doesn't seem to have learned anything from its experience with HIV in the early '80s — especially when steps could have been taken to slow the spread of hepatitis C.

A new blood scandal: hepatitis C

• Hepatitis is a virus that affects the liver.
There are several strains:
- Hepatitis A is a short-term treatable infection that can be spread in unsanitary conditions as well as through sexual contact.
- Hepatitis B is more serious since the infection lasts a lifetime and can cause cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure and death. It can be spread through unprotected sex, but there is a vaccine which can prevent it.
• Hepatitis C was only named in 1989 — before then, the virus was termed non-A, non-B hepatitis. Eighty per cent of carriers have no symptoms, and there is no vaccine. Between 75 and 85 per cent of carriers will eventually develop chronic infections and many will require a liver transplant. Hepatitis C is rarely spread through sexual contact; the main transmission method is through blood, such as reusing dirty tattoo needles or sharing needles when shooting drugs.

• For decades, administrators and users of the blood system had long been aware of the risks of transmitting hepatitis A and B through blood products. The presence of hepatitis was judged an acceptable risk by both the Red Cross and hemophiliacs.
• Even though public awareness of hepatitis C was low, the Krever Commission addressed it early in the inquiry. Hemophiliacs in particular were already aware of the threat it posed.
• An estimated 95 per cent of hemophiliacs who used blood products before 1990 contracted hepatitis C.
• About 300,000 Canadians have hepatitis C as of 2003. Estimates of how many contracted the virus through the blood supply vary wildly, from about 12,000 to over 60,000. The higher number is extrapolated from infection rates in the United States. Many people aren't aware they carry the virus, as it can lay dormant for years.

A new blood scandal: hepatitis C
Medium: Television
Program: Prime Time News
Broadcast Date: Dec. 13, 1994

Guest(s): Jenny Heathcott, Mel Lastman, Peter Lavigne, Arlene Steiner
Host: Pamela Wallin
Reporter: Leslie MacKinnon
Duration: 12:30
Last updated: Nov. 24, 2004

Copy and paste the link into your browser to watch the video!
http://archives.cbc.ca/health/public_health/clips/4461/&ref=rss

Check out these wonderful Hep C videos!

These first four are new ones from the UK and are AWESOME!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRplOylfgjI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkikoGnW6VM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJWM0Ie_JHk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWSQLTEjijQ

Also check out http://www.pinkonion.co.uk/
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Hepatitis C: Dying for Change!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOGrMR4bi3w&feature=related

Hepatitis C Epidemic in BC?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A4A1PkAElk

Short Survey on Lifestyles and College Students

Lifestyles and College Students (Please pass forward to all college students!)

We need your help! We are inviting college students, ages 18-30, to take ashort online survey about lifestyles and attitudes.

The survey is anonymous and no identifying information is gathered. The results will be used to develop an educational health-related program for young adults. The online survey data will go into a secure, encrypted database only accessible tothe research team. At the end of the survey, you can request a form of proof that you completed the survey (for class credit if your professor provides extracredit).

For more information, please contact Dr. von Friederichs-Fitzwater atmarlene.vonfriederichs-fitzwater@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu

Thank you for your assistance in this important project.
Please go to http://www.hcri.com/CollegeSurvey to complete the survey.

World Hepatitis Day Action Alert

Hepatitis C Advocates UNITED

World Hepatitis Day Action Alert

Flood Congress With Calls on May 19th and Demand Leadership!

The statistics are staggering: Hepatitis C is the most common, chronic blood-borne viral infection in the United States An estimated 5 million Americans (at least 1 in 50) have been infected with the hepatitis C virus.

Hepatitis C is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the U.S. – and chronic liver disease is in the top ten killers for Americans 25 years of age and older The federal government's response:

A mere $17 million per year for all viral hepatitis programs President Bush has proposed a cut in hepatitis funding in next year's budget Legislation to mount a comprehensive fight against the disease has stalled

Angry? Want to make a difference? Make three phone calls on May 19th and demand that Congress take action!

How you can help:

On Monday, May 19th (World Hepatitis Day), call your U.S. House Representative and two U.S. Senators in their Washington, DC office. Ask to speak to the staffperson who handles health care issues. You might speak to this person live or you might get voicemail. Deliver the following message:

"My name is __________ and I live in (your city/state). Today is World Hepatitis Day and I urge Representative/Senator ____________ to take a leadership role in the fight against the hepatitis C epidemic. An estimated 5 million Americans have been infected with the hepatitis C virus, but the federal government has not provided adequate funding or legislation to fight the epidemic. I urge the Representative/Senator to help change this situation by supporting $50 million for viral hepatitis programs in the Fiscal Year 2009 appropriation bill and by cosponsoring the "Hepatitis C Epidemic Control and Prevention Act."

You can reach your Senators and Representative by calling the Capitol switchboard toll-free at (800) 828-0498. If that number is busy, call (202) 224-3121. Ask to be connected to your Representative or Senator. If you don't know who represents you in Congress, go to www.congress.org and enter your zip code in the upper left corner.

*If you are unable to call on May 19th, please call no later than Friday, May 23rd.

If your Representative/Senator is on the following list, he or she has already cosponsored the "Hepatitis C Epidemic Control and Prevention Act." Please thank them and ask that they work to get other cosponsors.

House cosponsors:
Neil Abercrombie (HI)
Brian Baird (WA)
Shelley Berkley (NV)
Timothy Bishop (NY)
Elijah Cummings (MD)
Keith Ellison (MN)
Bart Gordon (TN)
Raul Grijalva (AZ)
John Lewis (GA)
Jim McDermott (WA)
James McGovern (MA)
Michael McNulty (NY)
Gregory Meeks (NY)
Ed Pastor (AZ)
Donald Payne (NJ)
Jim Ramstad (MN)
Edolphus Towns (NY)
Henry Waxman (CA)
Robert Wexler (FL)
Heather Wilson (NM)

Senate cosponsors:
Joe Biden (DE)
Barbara Boxer (CA)
Maria Cantwell (WA)
Thad Cochran (MS)
Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX)
Daniel Inouye (HI)
Tim Johnson (SD)
Ted Kennedy (MA)
Frank Lautenberg (NJ)
Mark Pryor (AR)
Gordon Smith (OR)
Olympia Snowe (ME)
Ron Wyden (OR)

Please forward this Alert widely! Thanks for making a difference!

For more information about this Alert, contact Ryan Clary at rclary@projectinform.org Hepatitis C Advocates UNITED! is a national, grassroots network of individuals and organizations fighting for increased funding for hepatitis programs and legislation to mount a comprehensive federal effort to fight the disease. We design grassroots strategies to educate our elected representatives about the need for adequate HCV funding and policies, including action alerts, sign-on letters legislative meetings, media activities, and other campaigns. We also share information and strategies on state-level issues and campaigns. We communicate through a moderated listserv and monthly conference calls. Hepatitis C Advocates UNITED! was formed by the Hepatitis C Appropriations Partnership (HCAP) and the National Hepatitis C Advocacy Council (NHCAC). To join the network, send an email to rclary@projectinform.org with "subscribe" in the subject field. Please include your name and city/state in the email.

Kelly's Lot Sheds Light on Hepatitis C in Belgium

Kelly's Lot Brings "The Light" to Europe AND SHEDS A LIGHT ON HEPATITIS C

First new STUDIO CD in Eight Years from National Spokesband for HepCAware.org (Los Angeles, CA): After spending almost a decade as National Spokesband for the Hep C Awareness campaign in the U.S., Kelly's Lot now brings its good works and good music to Europe. The band is on the road in support of the roadhouse rock & blues release "The Light," their first new studio CD in eight years.

The last show of their trip will be dedicated to raising awareness of hepatitis C. Formed in 1996, Kelly's Lot, who has toured all over the USA has decided to cross the Atlantic ocean to play in Belgium and France. Honored with the "Best Blues Band" award by Rock City News and named one of the Top 13 bands in the U.S. by Independent Songwriter Magazine, the band is ready to expand it's reach. For this first trip abroad they decided to trim down to an acoustic trio which includes Kelly Z on vocals, Perry Robertson on guitar and Linda Moss on harmonica. No worries, the trio packs a punch comparable to the full band. Built on a solid Blues/Rock foundation, Kelly's Lot plays Americana music with a slightly Alternative edge. Having a voice compared to Melissa Etheridge and Janis Joplin but ultimately all her own, Kelly brings emotion, energy and excitement to every performance. Kelly Z recorded her first demo CD, "Kelly's Lot", with J. Peter Robinson, former keyboard player for Phil Collins and The J. Geils Band. The next recording "Kelly's Lot-Live at the Troubadour" was their first of 3 Live CDs which put the band on the map as a band to see live.The band's first official release, "Test Drive," was produced by Robertson, bringing in friends like Scott Sanders to mix and Phil Morales to create the enhanced part of the CD and a music video of the band's remake of Melanie's "Brand New Key" directed by Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen, Nativity Story) The next live CD "Get Hip To Hep C", began the band's official work with a national campaign to raise awareness about Hepatitis C including Kelly's founding of HepCAware.org.

Kelly's Lot has been involved in raising awareness of Hepatitis C since 2000 after lead singer Kelly Z lost a close friend to the virus. Their last 2 CDs were the live acoustic "Trio" and the full band EP, "Come To This." Their new release "The Light" was recorded at EarCandy Studios, the company responsible for the sound behind Juno, Lars and The Real Girl and Rambo 4.

Los Angeles-based Kelly's Lot weaves blues and roadhouse rock into a passionate combination. Selections from their diverse selection of original songs, form a dynamic set of sometimes mellow and moody; sometimes raucous and radiant; but always soul-searching lyrics.

May 7th @ L'OUZERI 10pm 32, rue souverain 4000 Liege (Luik), BELGIUM
May 8th @ Heksenketel 9pm Pelgrimsstraat, 22, 2000 Antwerpen, BELGIUM
May 9th @ Bar Belge 9pm-12am av du General Leclercq, 94700 Maisons Alfort, FRANCE
May 10th @ Indigo Studios 8pm 96 rue de la Victoire, 1060 Bruxelles, BELGIUM
May 11th @ BP Cafe 7pm Raising Awareness of Hepatitis C Gemeenteplein, 3, 2640 MORTSEL, BELGIUM
For Interviews, More Information:
Tom Kidd/Pres Pak Public Relations
PrespakPr@earthlink.net
kellyslot@aol.com 310-377-2527
cell 310-433-6734

http://www.einnews.com/pr-news/10172-kelly-s-lot-sheds-a-light-on-hepatitis-c-in-belgium

World Hepatitis Day on May 19, 2008

WORLD Hepatitis Awareness Day in Florida will be MAY 19, 2008! Mark your calendars NOW and click on this link to see the agenda of speakers! Hope to see you there! :-)

Why the World should ask AM I NUMBER 12? Click on the link to find out why and come to the Capital in Tallahassee on May 19th!

Why The World Should Ask ‘Am I Number 12?’

Why The World Should Ask ‘Am I Number 12?’

More than 200 patient groups launch global viral campaign

http://www.aminumber12.org ● http://www.suis-jelenumero12.org ● http://www.souonumero12.org http://www.sonoioilnumero12.org ● http://www.soyelnumero12.org ● http://www.rakam12.org

Thursday 24 April, 2008 – The World Hepatitis Alliance and over 200 patient groups around the world are asking ‘Am I Number 12?’ (http://www.aminumber12.org) to increase awareness of the shocking statistic that one in 12 people on the planet are living with hepatitis B or hepatitis C and yet the majority of those infected are unaware.

Three weeks ahead of World Hepatitis Day on Monday 19 May, the World Hepatitis Alliance is launching a viral campaign aimed at getting people talking about the fact that approximately 500 million people globally are living with either hepatitis B or C. The World Hepatitis Alliance is asking people to sign-up to http://www.aminumber12.org to show support for the campaign but also to receive valuable information about a disease that kills some 1.5 million people a year.

The ‘Am I Number 12?’ campaign has already kicked off in 55 countries and high-profile campaigns are being coordinated from Sydney to Serbia and from Beijing to Buenos Aires. Charles Gore, President of the World Hepatitis Alliance, said that with 1.5 million people dying every year, chronic viral hepatitis could no longer be ignored. “Through the ‘Am I Number 12?’ campaign and activities around the world on 19 May we aim to put hepatitis B and C firmly on the global healthcare agenda,” Mr Gore said.

In Tallahassee, we will be having our first World Hepatitis Day at the Capital on May 19th from 9am to 1pm. There will be many educational booths on the first floor and in the Courtyard with a press conference on the old Capital steps at 10:30am. The State of Florida Health Department will be actively participating and the CDC will be issuing a statement. We feel this is a very important and critical issue since 1.25 million people are living in the U.S. with Hepatitis B (which is vaccine preventable!) and 4 million in the U.S. have Hepatitis C - but they just don’t know it yet. (There is not a vaccine for Hepatitis C). We urge everyone to Know Their Status and Get Tested for Hepatitis C!

Mr Gore said that, unlike other disease areas, awareness of hepatitis B and C remains inexplicably low: “We believe that, unless awareness improves, we won’t make any progress in reducing the enormous and largely preventable death toll. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C should have the same profile as HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB and should really be up there alongside those diseases in the WHO’s millennium goals.”

Did You Know?

o 500 million people worldwide are currently infected with hepatitis B or C
o This is over 10 times the number infected with HIV/AIDS
o Between them, hepatitis B and C kill 1.5 million people a year
o One in every three people on the planet has been exposed to either or both viruses
o Most of the 500 million infected do not know

World Hepatitis Day
World Hepatitis Day will be observed on Monday 19 May and marks a brand new, entirely patient-led initiative. The day has been launched in response to the concern that chronic viral hepatitis has nowhere near the level of awareness nor the political will to tackle it that is seen in HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria. This is despite the fact that the numbers chronically infected with, and annually killed by, hepatitis B and C viruses are on the same scale. ‘AM I Number 12?’ campaign materials are available in over 40 languages – for logo images, postcards, posters and banner ads please contact the World Hepatitis Alliance at worldhepday@fleishman.com

World Hepatitis Alliance
World Hepatitis Day is being coordinated by the World Hepatitis Alliance, a newly established Non-Governmental Organisation which represents more than 200 hepatitis B and hepatitis C patient groups from around the world. The World Hepatitis Alliance is governed by a representative board of patient groups from seven world regions: Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, North Africa, North America, South America, Australasia & Western Pacific. For more information visit http://www.worldhepatitisalliance.com on Monday 19 May.

Contact Information:
International :
Raquel José
T: +44 (0) 2070896220
E: raquel.jose@worldhepatitisday.org

United StatesPam Langford
T : 850-443-8029
E : figment@nettally.com
http://www.HEALSoftheSouth.org

Georgia Hepatitis C Handbook announcement!

The Hep C Working Group of Georgia, a coalition of agencies dedicated to battling hepatitis C in Georgia, is extremely pleased to announce that the Second Edition of the Hep C Handbook, a publication written and designed expressly for Georgians living with hepatitis C, as well as professionals who work with Georgia’s Hep C patients, is hot off the press and available now. The first edition was published in 2005 and it proved to be an invaluable resource to Georgians and those in the surrounding states who were battling hepatitis C. There have been many changes since 2005 and the time was right for an updated handbook to help those who needed it. While not a substitute for qualified medical care from a licensed physician, the Hep C Handbook contains extensive information to aid those affected by hepatitis C including physician referrals, physical and mental heath, legal resources, treatment options, transplant and financial resources information as well as many other areas of information, all available to citizens of Georgia. This project was a labor of love for the organizations involved in developing this up-to-date informational resource. The Georgia Division of Public Health, the American Liver Foundation, Atlanta Harm Reduction Center, H.E.A.L.S. of the South, as well as our dedicated physicians and committee members all made this dream a reality and it is through our collective effort that the second edition of this book has come to fruition.


Appreciation goes out to those companies and organizations providing funding for printing costs making the Hep C Handbook possible. Lead supporters were Roche Laboratories, Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Vertex and GlaxoSmithKline. Through their generosity we were able to print 15,000 copies of the handbook and we cannot express our appreciation enough for their kindness.


In addition to the handbook being in print form it is also available in PDF format on the American Liver Foundation website at:
www.liverfoundation.org/chapters/georgia

and the H.E.A.L.S of the South website at:
http://www.healsofthesouth.org/Hep_C_Handbook.html

If you are interested in receiving these books for yourself or others who are in need, please contact:

Katherine C. Cline
Executive Director
American Liver Foundation
2250 North Druid Hills Road, Suite 285
Atlanta, GA 30329
telephone: 404-633-9169
www.liverfoundation.org/chapters/georgia

OR

Tina J. Benoit, MPH
Hepatitis C Coordinator & Surveillance
Georgia Division of Public Health/Notifiable Disease Epidemiology Section
2 Peachtree Street, NW 14-264
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 463- 0849 (Phone)
(404) 657- 2608 (Fax)tbenoit@dhr.state.ga.us

Two Musicians who CARE about Hepatitis C!

If you're not a *My Spacer* this might be the perfect opportunity to check it out! My Space links for both musicians provided.
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Two Musicians who CARE about Hepatitis C. Let's support them and show that we care! Besides - they both have WONDERFUL MUSIC!!

Alejandro has Hepatitis C and keeps it in the news for us and Kelly lost a friend to Hepatitis C and continues to do a wonderful job advocating for us!

Alejandro Escovedo’s New Album: Real Animal Real Animal, Alejandro Escovedo's 9th solo album and follow-up to 2006's critically-acclaimed The Boxing Mirror, will be released on June 10, 2008. Produced by Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T.Rex, Thin Lizzy), Real Animal is a collective journey through Escovedo's various musical incarnations from punk rock to string quintets and is as introspective as it is retrospective. Recalling the people, places and influences that helped shape his career, Real Animal represents the primitive aspect of Escovedo's music - the instinct, the urgency and a survivor mentality that fueled his passion.

http://www.myspace.com/alejandroescovedo

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Kelly’s Lot
April, 11 2008 at CD RELEASE AT THE MINT Pico and Crescent Heights, Los Angeles, California
Cost : 10 7-9pm Free CD with Admission.

HERE's A RECENT REVIEW ON OUR LATEST CD "COME TO THIS" Kelly's Lot is an electric mix of styles firmly built on a Blues/Rock foundation. It is Americana music with a slightly Alternative edge! They burn an incredible show with guitars, sax, bass and drums. Having a voice all her own, Kelly brings emotion, energy and excitement to the table (and, what a feast it is). The musicianship is fantastic and shines through in a variety of ways, taking the audience to a different place with each song. It’s a musical treat for fans and newcomers alike. The songs speak of life’s hard knocks and love’s bittersweet moments. Packed with musical power players and fronted by an equally powerful singer, reminiscent of Janis Joplin and Melissa Etheridge. A superb front-person, remarkable back line and good sound - I think you'll like it. - DWM Music

http://www.myspace.com/kellyslot
http://www.myspace.com/hepc
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and you can check out My Space at www.myspace.com/figmento