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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 Tuesday 6:30 - 8pm, Consuelo (303) 343-3894
Englewood - 1000 Englewood Pkwy, 4th Tuesday 6:30 - 8pm, Deidrea (805) 444-0046
Lakewood - 11500 W. 20th, 2nd Tuesday 6:30 - 8pm, Betsy (303) 237-1150
HIV/HCV Co-infection - 1660 S. Albion, 4th Tuesday 5:30 - 7pm, Kim (303) 862-0407
Statewide
Boulder -
YWCA 2222 14th Street, EDGE Classroom, 2nd Wednesday of the month, 6 - 7:30pm, Carrie (303) 875-2568
CO Springs -
825 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 5th Floor Dining Rm, 3rd Thursday of the month, 7 - 8:30pm, Dave (719) 440-0025
Ft. Collins -
2809 E. Harmony, 3rd Floor, Last Wednesday 6:30 - 8 pm, Jerry (970) 214-2912
Grand Junction -
515 28 3/4 Road Bldg A, 1st Wednesday 5:15-6:45 pm, Rainy (970) 208-4507
Pueblo -
Main Pueblo Library 100 East Abriendo Ave., Rm 211, 3rd Monday, 6 - 7:30pm, Dave (719) 440-0025
For information regarding national support groups, please call our HelpLine at 800-522-HEPC (4372) |
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Greetings!
Welcome to the November 2009 edition of Connections!
Dear friends and supporters of Hep C Connection,
Fall is flying by at Hep C Connection! Our staff and volunteers have been busy working on various outreach activities and our annual fundraising event. As the holiday season arrives we look forward to continuing our efforts in the community.
In this month's edition, we invite you to learn about the next Drop To Stop safe needle disposal community project. Help yourself to some additional knowledge with our Doctors & Science articles. Also, learn how you can help Hep C Connection Take The Challenge. Last, but not least, Desserts & Delights, Hep C Connection's Annual Fundraising Event, is soon approaching, November 12th - we would love to see you there!
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 November 20th.
Please share our newsletter with others by simply forwarding it to others, or by using the forwarding option at the bottom. Thank you! |
| 2009 Desserts & Delights |
4th Annual Desserts & Delights to Benefit Hep C Connection
Desserts & Delights, the signature fundraising event for Hep C Connection, will be held on Thursday, November 12, from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at the Courtyard by Marriott Denver Cherry Creek. Individual tickets are $45 and may be purchased by calling 720-917-3963 or emailing abukholder@hepc-connection.org.
Now in its fourth year, Desserts & Delights emphasizes the fun side of life - nurturing your inner child through chocolate, weekend getaways, spa days, and more! This year's event includes an exciting array of auction items from retreats, sporting events, hotel getaways and special gifts. All proceeds from Desserts & Delights will provide important education and outreach services to reduce the spread of the virus or support the 85,000 people in Colorado ever infected with hepatitis C and others throughout the country who access our services.
Katie Barton and Mike Grube are our co-chairs for this event. We will be honoring the six members of the Joint Budget Committee of the Colorado General Assembly for their leadership in retaining the hepatitis C prevention programs funded by the state. Our emcee will be Reggie Rivers, former Denver Bronco, author and sports anchor. Entertainment will be provided by local favorite The Polite Jazz Quartet, while guests imbibe on a variety of appetizers and many desserts! Live bidding will be run by 2008 Colorado State Champion Auctioneer Shawn Hagler. Attire can be anything from "Colorado Casual" to "Bangle and Beads"- your choice.
Desserts & Delights is being held at The Courtyard by Marriott Denver Cherry Creek at 1475 South Colorado Boulevard in Denver. Parking for the event will be provided free onsite.
Exciting auction items include:
- Fly fishing adventure
- Skin tightening triple peel
- Tony Shalhoub autographed Monk memorabilia
- Folkmanis puppets for the children
Join us at this night of Desserts & Delights in support of Hep C Connection. Tickets may be purchased by calling 720-917-3963 or emailing abukholder@hepc-connection.org.
Hep C Connection is pleased to acknowledge the generosity of our sponsors:
CPR Inc.; TR Barge Inc.; Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado; Health One; Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease; Suncor Energy; Investment Realty; r2 Advisors LLC; South Denver Gastroenterology; University of Colorado Hospital; University Physicians; New West Physicians
Above from left to right are: our current Chair, Scott Micklejohn, current Board Members, Brian Wilkerson, Mike Hofmann, Mike Grube, Executive Director, Nancy Steinfurth, and former Chair, Tom Kim, enjoying themselves at last years D&D.
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| "Drop To Stop" Needle Disposal Week - REPEAT |
Hep C Connection will be sponsoring the fourth "Drop to Stop" needle disposal event November 2, 2009 through November 6, 2009. Five agencies will be participating as disposal sites. "Drop to Stop" encourages individuals to properly dispose of their used syringes to prevent blood-borne infections (such as hepatitis C) from spreading. Whether needles are used by acupuncturists, veterinarians, diabetics, or injection drug users, all needles need to be disposed of properly. If needles are disposed of in the wrong way, many people such as trash collectors, police officers, parks and recreation workers, and even children risk being accidentally stuck by those improperly disposed of needles.
This program has grown almost exponentially since it began.
Drop to Stop Date Number of Needles Collected May 19, 2008 237
November 19, 2008 1,601
May 11-15, 2009 11,737
We hope to collect even more used syringes the first week in November. Please drop off your used syringes at one of the following sites throughout the state between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. the week of November 2, 2009 through November 6, 2009: Harm Reduction Action Center775 Lipan Street, Denver Northern Colorado AIDS Project400 Remington, #100, Fort Collins Project Safe
1741 Vine Street, Denver Urban Peak Outreach2100 Stout Street, Denver Western Colorado AIDS Project805 Main Street, Grand Junction If you have any questions, please contact Laura Ginnett at (720) 917-3960 or lginnett@hepc-connection.org |
| Kathy Jensen - Former Hep C Connection Director of Outreach Remembered |
Former Hep C Connection staff member Kathy Jensen passed away this October from ovarian cancer. Kathy was Director of Community Outreach for six years and established or re-vamped many of the programs that still exist today. Kathy was active in both hepatitis and arthritis awareness. A former colleague described her best,
"Kathy's quiet and gentle spirit overlaid her intelligence, competence, and energy. I liked and admired her very much. She was the quintessential social worker and a lovely woman."
A memorial service was held at Fairmount Mortuary, in Denver. In lieu of flowers, Kathy asked that donations be made to the Arthritis Foundation, Rocky Mountain chapter. She will be missed a great deal.
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| Doctors & Science |
Blood Cholesterol May Increase after Successful Hepatitis C Treatment.
Numerous prior studies have shown that people with chronic hepatitis C tend to have low levels of blood fats (hypolipidemia), though the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Low cholesterol and triglyceride levels are associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease in the general population; hepatitis C patients, however, have increased cardiovascular risk despite lower blood lipids.
In the present study, Kathleen Corey and colleagues from Massachusetts General Hospital conducted 2 linked studies to evaluated the relationship of hepatitis C and its treatment with lipid levels, and to determine the frequency of clinically significant hyperlipidemia (high blood fat levels) after completing anti-HCV therapy.
For more information Click Here.
Managing depression during hepatitis C treatment. Sockalingam S, Abbey SE. Can J Psychiatry. 2009 Sep;54(9):614-25. Recent research looked a risk factors for interfueron-alpha-induced major depressive disorder in HCV patients in Canada. Studies found that both antidepressant pretreatment and symptomatic treatment improve treatment outcomes and early detection can be achieved by an integral approach. To read the full article, please Click Here. |
| Hepatitis C Take Congressional Stage |
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On October 29th the bi-partisan Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Prevention and Control Act of 2009 was introduced by Congressman Michael Honda (D-CA). This Act aims to create a surveillance system to track chronic Hepatitis B and C infections; support activities to promote early detection and education, particularly in vulnerable populations, and incorporate them into existing clinical programs at the state, federal, and tribal level; and conduct research on improved treatments and vaccines; and meet other needs of the Hepatitis community as identified by advocacy groups.
We are all asked to contact our Congressional Representatives and ask them to co-sponsor this important bill.
Rep Honda's bi-partisan legislation was drafted in strong partnership with Congressmen Charles Dent (R-PA), Edolphus Towns (D-NY), William Cassidy (R-LA), David Wu (D-OR) and Anh Joseph Cao (R-LA). They are joined as original co-sponsors by Congressman Todd Platts (D-PA), Delegate Donna M. Christiansen (D-VI), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Congressman Bobby Rush (D-IL), Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA), and Congressman G.K. Butterfield (D-NC).
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| Take The Challenge |
The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado is pleased to have awarded Hep C Connection with a $3,000 grant through our Healthy Families funding area. This grant challenges you to support Hep C Connection and have your donation doubled, giving you a direct opportunity to expand the organization's work.
We believe that Colorado will become a stronger, healthier state when all people have access to the educational programs and support services they need to lead healthy lives. We recognize the value of the work of Hep C Connection in educating the public about hepatitis C and providing the resources and support for those affected by the virus. And we heartily applaud those who have fought to keep public funding in place to increase awareness, education, and testing for hepatitis C.
But there is so much more work to be done to put a stop to hepatitis C. We urge you to help Hep C Connection substantially multiply its resources by taking advantage of our challenge grant. Learn more about the Gay & Lesbian Fund at www.gayandlesbianfund.org.
To make a donation to Hep C Connection and help match this grant contact Nancy Steinfurth at 720.917.3965.
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| HIV/AIDS & Hepatitis C Mass |
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Thursday, November 5, 2009
7:00 PM
Holy Ghost Church
1900 California Street, Denver
The Most Rev. James D. Conley,
Auxiliary Bishop of Denver, will celebrate a Mass for those living with HIV/AIDS & Hepatitis C
Reception to follow the Mass
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 at 303.715.3220 |
| A Very Special Thanks! |
Desserts & Delights could not do it without the generous support and financial sponsorships that was provided to make this annual event prosperous.
The Desserts & Delights planning committee recognizes the following donors. Thank you for your support!
Silver Level
Investment Realty
Bronze Level
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| Requesting Your Personal Experiences |
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If you have a personal story that you are willing to share with our monthly e-newsletter readers, we want to hear from you. Stories can include personal experiences from you or someone that you know and support in their endeavor to cope, manage and/ or care for themselves while living with hepatitis C.
The purpose of sharing a story is so that folks can learn from others' experiences. Examples might include; what went into your decision to go through treatment, or to bypass treatment, how treatment effected you during or after, what worked and what didn't, talking with your medical provider, family and friends, etc.
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| Find A Cure Panel - REPEAT |
Hep C Connection is excited to announce an affiliation with Find A Cure Panel where people with hep C can participate in quantitative online research designed specifically for them. For every survey completed by those who register, Find A Cure Panel will donate a minimum of $25 to Hep C Connection.
You can complete the two minute profile, by clicking the logo below:
Please note that the registration profile is only used to send the specific surveys to you. FACP doesn't ask for your street address and has no offline contact with you. If you don't want to give your full name then you can use initials. For example, if you are Robert John Smith, you can sign up as "RJ Smith".
The data provided in actual surveys is completely anonymous. All the clients will see is a 16 digit number like this: 40010-1234567890. They will not know who that respondent is. This is a great way for you to impact the development of future treatment for hep C while supporting Hep C Connection. Check it out! |
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