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Colorado
Hepatitis C Support Groups
For individuals infected with hepatitis C and family members affected by hepatitis C. Free and confidential. New members always welcome.
Metro-Denver
Aurora - 900 Potomac, 1st Floor Staff Cafeteria ~ 1st Tues. ~ 6:30-8 p.m. ~ Consuelo (303) 367-2813
Englewood - 1000 Englewood Parkway ~ 4th Tues. ~ 7-8:30 p.m. Jena` (303) 239-0336
Lakewood - 11500 W. 20th ~ 2nd Tues. ~ 6:30-8 p.m.
Betsy (303) 237-1150
HIV/HCV Co-Infection - 1660 S. Albion ~ 3rd Tues. 5-6:30 p.m. Kim (303) 862-0407
VA (VA Patients Only) - 1055 Clermont, Room 2E-104 ~ 2nd Wed. 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Jena` (303) 239-0336
Cap Hill- 3250 E. 6th Ave. 2nd & 4th Tues. 6:30-8 p.m.
Deidrea (720) 917-3973
Statewide
Boulder - People's Clinic 2nd floor 3303 N. Broadway 2nd Wed 6:00 - 7:30p.m. Carrie (303) 678-6157
CO Springs - 825 E. Pikes Peak, 5th Floor Dining Room ~ 3rd Thurs. ~ 7-8:30 p.m. ~ David (719) 236-1416
Fort Collins - 2809 E. Harmony, 3rd Floor ~ Last Wed. ~ 6:30-8 p.m. ~ Jerry (970) 214-2912
Grand Junction - 510 29½ Road, Room 1060 ~ 1st Wed. ~ 5:15-6:45 p.m. Rainy (970) 241-6023
Pueblo - Crossroads 509 East 13th Street , Last Mon. 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Rhonda (719) 546-6666 ext. 136
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Greetings!
Welcome to the October edition of Hep C Connection's newsletter!
Hep C Connection participated September 6th at the 2008 AIDS WAlK and Run. The Hep C Connection team raised more than $2,700. through sponsorship and team efforts. Way to go Hep C Team! All funds raised goes directly to vital programs that support those living with HIV/AIDS and those who are co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C. Thank you for your support, encouragement and efforts!
In this month's edition, learn about Hep C Connection's Desserts & Delights annual fundraising event, alternative management and hep C treatment options, volunteer opportunites and more.
We want to hear from you! To comment or contribute interesting news and information about hepatitis, please send us a note at info@hepc-connection.org. The deadline for news postings is October 20th. We want to hear from you!
Please share our newsletter with others by simply forwarding it to others, or by using the forwarding option at the bottom. Thank you! |
| Desserts & Delights - November 13 |
 This year's event will be bigger and better than ever! Desserts & Delights will be held on Thursday, November 13 from 5:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. in the Colorado Convention Center, in downtown Denver. Parking in the convention center garage is included in the price of tickets when they are purchased in advance. Tickets are $45 and, in addition to parking, include one complimentary drink. Entertainment will be by Grammy award-winning band Dotsero, a local favorite. We'll have scrumptuous appetizers and many amazing silent and live auction items, including a guitar signed by Crosby Stills and Nash, and another guitar signed by Aerosmith. Sounds like fun, doesn't it? And, to top it off, we are honoring the Liver Transplant Center at the University of Colorado Denver Health Centers. This is the nationally recognized program that has aided many Hep C Connection volunteers and clients when they have had few remaining options. Join us at this important event, help raise funds for Hep C Connection, and pay your respects to one of the most amazing liver transplant programs in the country.
Do you live in the metro-Denver area and have large baskets taking up space in your home? We'll gladly take them off your hands to use for Desserts & Delights! We create gift baskets from the many individually donated items we receive. We'd love to recycle your baskets rather than buy new. The finished products look fabulous wrapped in clear bags and tied with colorful ribbons. Call Nancy at 720-917-3965 and she'll arrange for pick up or drop off. |
| 2008 Public Health Conference |
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2008 Public Health in the Rockies Conference
Hep C Connection participated in the 2008 Public Health in the Rockies Conference September 15th - 17th, which was held in beautiful Breckenridge, Colorado. We had an exhibit booth and distributed many hepatitis C resources and educational materials. We were also included in the poster presentation. Our poster explained the many resources that Hep C Connection offers to people infected or affected by hepatitis C, with a goal of showing public health workers that Hep C Connection is a valuable resource in their communities throughout the state. Stop by our office to see the poster, it's hanging up in the main office. |
| Alternative Treatment Options |
Persons who are dealing with hepatitis C, or other health related challenges, may find alternative practices helpful. Many will choose to compliment traditional western medicine with alternative management options. There are many to pick from such as yoga, herbals, meditation, etc., it's your choice! Remember to always consult with your treatment provider when deciding what is right for you. If meditation is something you've considered, try the secret of mind/body healing with the free meditation download "7 Minutes for Liver Health" at www.hepCmeditations.org. Learn how to reduce stress and strengthen your liver with the CD "Self-Care for Hepatitis C." Scientific evidence supports what ancient healers have known for centuries: meditating can reduce stress. Research also indicates that daily stress is a significant factor in the progression of liver disease. Stress impairs blood flow to the liver, which can trigger liver inflammation, kill or damage liver cells, reduce liver function and deplete energy. Western physicians now are joining practitioners of alternative therapies in recommending meditation as an effective way of reducing stress, thereby enhancing liver functioning and healing. Many hepatitis C organizations recommend meditation and people who do meditate find it extremely helpful. Others who recognize its potential benefit may not know how to meditate, or find it difficult to practice regularly. This CD was created to give people easy access to meditation, with guided imagery specific to meeting the challenges of living with hepatitis C and other liver problems. Visit www.hepCmeditations.org for more information and to listen to a free sample meditation, "7 Minutes for Liver Health." The hepCmeditations project has released an audio CD and booklet, Self-Care for Hepatitis C ~ Applied Meditation for a Healthy Liver. These meditations are specifically designed to enhance liver functioning and support healing from hepatitis C.
"My doctor, like many, recommended meditation to help me deal with stress when I was getting treatment for my hepatitis C and cirrhosis. Fortunately, I was familiar with an easy way to meditate. I got my meditation teacher to make me some special tapes of guided meditation. They really helped keep me focused on healing. People in my support group wanted meditation tapes too. With renewed energy from getting rid of the hep C virus and the cirrhosis, I joined to produce the CD and companion booklet with information on how to meditate and self-care tips. The meditations are helping others who are using them, just like they helped me. I hope you can help spread the word. Thank you."
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| Doctors & Science |
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Pros and Cons of Medical Marijuana with Hepatitis C
A 2006 report demonstrated the benefits of marijuana for people undergoing interferon and/or ribavirin treatment for Hepatitis C. On the other hand, recent studies have shown the use of marijuana may increase the acceleration of the disease process and possibly cause decreased immune function. The information presented in this article is not intended to encourage or discourage illegal activity, but rather to provide the reader with proven facts about marijuana's impact on the liver. by: Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.
Despite its illegality in most cases, Cannabis Sativa, commonly known as marijuana, remains a popular recreational drug throughout the world. Now, an increasing amount of proposed legislation is seeking to maintain the legality of medical marijuana, allowing for people with certain medical ailments to legally continue using this illicit drug. As of May 2007, 11 U.S. states host medical marijuana programs that allow for the chronically ill and their caregivers to possess and use marijuana for pain relief or other therapeutic purposes.
To learn more about the Pros, Cons, and more click here
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| A Personal Story |
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"In 1978, I was stuck with a needle full of hepatitis-positive blood in an accident in a hemodialysis unit in Bethesda. Within just a few hours after the "stick" we filled out all the required forms for an "incident report" and I was taken to the Emergency Room, where I was given HUGE injections of Gamma Globulin in each rear "cheek." We know now that that was a waste of pain, but no one had heard of Hepatitis C in 1978. Less than 2 weeks later, I was admitted to the hospital; I was jaundiced, nauseated, and weaker than water. After 22 days hospitalization, my symptoms resolved, and I was dismissed with diagnosis of "Hepatitis, non-A, non-B, resolving." No further follow-up was provided. In August 1981, I was discharged from Active Duty, and transferred to Active Reserve Navy. After a year of Active Reserve status with the Navy, I was honorably discharged (passed the exit physical exam) and enlisted in Mississippi National Guard. I spent 6½ years with the Mississippi Army Reserve/National Guard (MSARNG), and was honorably separated in 1988. Once again, I passed the discharge physical! I might not have found out about the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) when I did had it not been for diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2004. During screening blood work (before starting anti-RA meds), the HCV was discovered. At that time, it felt like a death sentence, because everyone with HCV I had known until then except one lady had died. During the course of my treatment, she died also! I endured 48 weeks of the Pegylated Interferon/Ribavirin treatment, with "undetectable" tests for HCV from week 24 through week 48. Still, within 3 months, the virus was back, and with a vengeance; my Viral Load numbers went off the charts!
It bothers me that people assume I got the virus from drug abuse! How can I help combat the ignorance? I think it is hugely important that everyone comes to realize that some people who contracted HCV had nothing to do with contracting it---they were innocent victims of circumstances. One friend in Louisiana even got the virus by using her husband's toothbrush a few times while they traveled! I realize that many HCV warriors contracted the disease through the abuse of drugs; maybe your ads (Hep C Connection's recent campaign advertisments) will cause people who experimented with/abused drugs intravenously will get tested---and if they have it, be able to gather information and make informed decisions about treatment. After all, not everyone needs to undergo the rigors of current treatments; if their livers are healthy and they are not continuing in behaviors that threaten liver health, they may be able to wait for safer and more "user-friendly" treatment options.
My life will never be the same. I suffer polyarthritic pain that would be debilitating without pain meds, and will probably not live past 70, according to some doctors. I don't need (on top of all those things) to have people pass judgment on me, as if I did something wrong-I didn't! All I did was try to take care of a patient who had hepatitis as well as kidney failure; in other words, I DID MY JOB.
Well, that's my story; I'm sure there are plenty others out there who have contracted Hepatitis C through no fault of their own. Regardless of how a person got the virus, though, the important thing is to get tested, get informed, get serious about healthy living and a healthy lifestyle, and get treatment, if needed. Thanks for listening." Rev. Keith Dendy
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is transmitted blood to blood. Transmission can occur in several ways. HCV screening data reflects injection drug use, as an example, to be a much higher means of tranmitting the virus. Although occupational or tatoo exposure (as additional examples) represents a lower risk, the chance of transmission still exist.
The recent campaigns coordinated by Hep C Connection, that promote Hep C awareness, are designed to target audiences who are at higher risk. |
| HIV/AIDS & Hep C Mass |
Thursday, November 6, 2008 7:00 p.m. at the Holy Ghost Church located at 1900 California Street, Denver
The Most Rev. Charles J. Chaput O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Denver, will celebrate a Mass for those living with HIV/AIDS & Hepatitis C. Reception to follow.
Caregivers, family members, friends, and anyone affected by HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C are warmly invited to attend this Eucharistic celebration.
Please call Holy Ghost (303) 292-1556, or email info@holyghostchurch.info with the names of people you would like to have remembered at the Mass who have died from HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis C.
For more information, please call the Archdiocese HIV/AIDS HepC Ministry Office at (303) 715-3171. |
| Volunteer Update |
We are eagerly seeking volunteers. Hep C Connection continues to receive numerous outreach requests from the community. The connection that volunteers make with the community is such a rewarding gift. If you have any time available to contribute to Hep C Connection please call Kara Armstrong at (720) 917-3972 to talk about becoming part of our volunteer family.
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