|
Join Our List
|
 |
Colorado
Hepatitis C Support Groups
For individuals infected with hepatitis C and family members affected by hepatitis C. Free and confidential monthly meetings. New members always welcome.
Metro-Denver
Aurora 900 Potomac, 1st Floor Staff Cafeteria, 1st Tuesday 6:30 - 8pm, Kim (303)862-0407
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 Positive 1735 York 4th Tuesday 5:30-7pm, Kim (303)862-0407
Statewide
Boulder
YWCA 2222 14th St., 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 Wed. 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 support groups in other states, please call our HelpLine at 800-522-HEPC (4372) |
|
|
|
| |
|
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the April 2010 edition of
Connections! |
Wine-Tasting Benefit Postponed
Hep C Connection's wine-tasting benefit, originally scheduled for March 24th, has been postponed due to inclement weather. Please keep an eye on our website for re-scheduling information. |
| May is Hepatitis Awareness Month! |
We will join our international colleagues in recognizing this month-long event along with World Hepatitis Day through the following activities: 1. World Hepatitis Day is May 19th
Hep C Connection plans to celebrate World Hepatitis Day doing testing at the "Recovery at the Capital 2010" event. This rally is organized by Surrounded by Recovery and will be occurring on the west steps of the state capital building from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm on Wednesday, May 19th. Stay tuned for more details! 2. Drop-to-Stop will be happening from May 17th - 21st
Used needles on the ground or in the trash can spread diseases like hepatitis, HIV, and other blood-borne infections. Do your part to prevent disease and injury! Hep C Connection will be accepting used needles at several locations around the city during the week of May 17th. More information on locations and times to come. 3. 2010 Colorado Viral Hepatitis Conference
To help commemorate Hepatitis Awareness month is Hep C Connection's annual Colorado Viral Hepatitis Conference! This year's conference will be on Wednesday, May 12th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Anschutz Medical Campus at the University of Colorado, Denver in Aurora. This year's conference includes: - New Hepatitis B and C Guidelines for Primary Care Physicians - Denver Health's National HIV Behavior Surveillance Hepatitis C Results - Networking Lunch featuring Celebrity Table Captains: o Dr. Marcelo Kugelmas (Hepatologist) o Dr. Steve Koester (Anthropologist) o Ed Marino (PA-C) o Andrew McClure (Urban Peak) o Toby LeRoux (Denver Health) o Lisa Raville (Harm Reduction Action Center) o Amy Warner (CDPHE) - Afternoon Tracks Session surrounding the following topics: o Substance Abuse o Immigrants/Refugees o Social Justice The conference is intended for health care providers, drug- and alcohol- treatment providers, mental health treatment providers, correctional staff, case managers, and public health professionals. The cost is $45, which includes conference materials, breakfast, lunch and refreshments (does not include parking). For more information, contact Laura Ginnett at (720) 917 - 3960 or lginnett@hepc-connection.org. |
| GlaxoSmithKline Offers Free Vaccines to Uninsured Adults |
On March 29, GlaxoSmithKline announced the launch of the GSK Vaccines Access Program, which will provide the company's adult vaccines free of charge to eligible, low-income individuals who do not have insurance coverage for vaccines. The program will cover the company's FDA-approved vaccines for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis for eligible persons ages 19 and older. The program also includes GSK's cervical cancer vaccine for women ages 19 to 25 who, due to their age are not covered under the national Vaccines for Children program, and who meet other eligibility requirements. Details of the GSK Vaccine Access Program can be found online at GSK-VAP.com or by calling 877-VACC-911 (822-2911). |
| Articles of Interest |
Hepatitis C Plus Alcohol or Marijuana: Which Is Worse?
Current Hepatitis Reports (Feb 2010), Volume 9: Issue 1, Pages 20 - 24. By Ayman A. Koteish Summary: Despite advances in hepatitis C therapy and better knowledge of viral/host factors related to disease progression, the hepatitis C virus remains the leading cause of chronic liver disease, causing progression to end-stage liver disease (ESLD) as well as the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Because hepatitis C virus acquisition is linked to an addictive behavior (i.e., injection drug use), any perceived dependence has been a major reason for treatment denial as well as exclusion from clinical trials. Of special interest are two such dependences: drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana (cannabis). We review the available evidence for the effects of alcohol and cannabis on liver disease progression in chronic hepatitis C, and conclude with recommendations regarding the use of these two substances in the setting of chronic hepatitis C. Read More
Role of Sleep Disturbance in Chronic Hepatitis C Infection
Current Hepatitis Reports (Feb 2010), Volume 9: Issue 1, Pages 25 - 29. By Meghan D. Carlson, Robin C. Hilsabeck, Fatma Barakat and William Perry Summary: Chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus (CHC) is associated with physical and mental symptoms including fatigue and depression that adversely affect quality of life. A related complaint, sleep disturbance, has received little attention in the literature, with the exception of sleep changes noted in cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease. We present an overview of studies indicating sleep problems in patients with CHC, with about 60% to 65% of individuals reporting such complaints. Evidence suggests that impairments in sleep quality exist independent of antiviral therapy with interferon-α and prior to advanced stages of liver disease. Further investigation of sleep disturbance in CHC patients with a mild stage of liver disease may provide important information on disease course as well as allow additional opportunities for patient support. Read More |
|
Find a Cure Panel |
|
Hep C Connection continues its 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 link below.
http://member.assistyourteamsurveys.com/aytsreg.aspx?AID=61
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 know who that respondent is. This is a great way for you to impact the development of future treatment for Hep C whilesupporting Hep C Connection. Please check it out! |
|
A Personal Story |
|
I am a 58-year-old woman who was diagnosed with Hep C in 1980. I also had Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) - a rare blood disease with a high mortality rate. In addition, I was very overweight with diabetes and high blood pressure. In 2000, I was given Interferon plus ribaviran and I showed no response after 6 months. Eight months later my doctor re-tried the cocktail, again to no avail.
In 2007, I elected to have a gastric bypass because my liver was at phase III (fibrosis) and I was told that I was not a candidate for a new liver at my high weight. I lost 130 lbs very quickly and only a week after surgery I was off my diabetic and high blood pressure medications. I then began to have pain in my joints; my doctor tested me and found I had Cryoglobulinemia as a result of the Hepatitis C and its effect on my liver. I had been waiting to participate in a new trial but since it was so slow in coming, my doctor decided to go back to the old standby, Interferon. As you may know, the side effects are not fun but necessary. My doctor gave me one more try on Pegasys and Copegus and I began to respond after 6 months (they said I was a slow responder). It has been 18 months now, I will finish my regimen in 6 more weeks, and I don't have any trace of Hep C! While it was a challenge to be on the meds for 18 months, I am so glad we gave it another try. I don't know what my prognosis is from here but for now I am virus free and looking forward to being off the Pegasys. If it comes back then I will deal with it yet again but for now my liver is resting and I look forward to feeling better.
My point in sharing my story is that you should never give up! I would be happy to write or talk to anyone currently facing this long journey. It is amazing what our bodies can deal with. By the way, I babysat all of my grandkids throughout this whole experience. Life has to go on. It is my prayer that one day there will be an understanding and maybe a vaccination to prevent Hep C. My journey had lots of ups and downs but in the long run I am blessed to still be here. Good Luck to all of you!
Debbie Greenwood
Ohio |
|
A Call for your Hepatitis C Story |
|
If you have a personal story that you are willing to share with our e-newsletter readers, or with a wider audience for World Hepatitis Day, we want to share your words with our supporters and others facing hepatitis C. Personal experiences can include stories from you or someone that you know and support in their efforts to cope, manage, and/or care for themselves while living with Hep C. For consideration or to share your personal story, please e-mail us at info@hepc-connection.org. |
|
|
HelpLine and Volunteer Coordinator Position Filled |
|
Hello! My name is Urva Kuzma and as of March 22, I am the new HelpLine and Volunteer Coordinator.
Just so you know a little more about me . . .
I grew up in Oregon and attended University of Oregon (Go Ducks!) as an undergrad, where I majored in biology, and then Oregon State University where I mastered in public health. I worked in several health education programs while in school, and have been volunteering with Planned Parenthood since moving to Denver in 2008.
Besides spending time with my fiancé and dog, I enjoy traveling, hiking, snowshoeing, Oregon football, and cooking. This will be my 3rd summer in Colorado and I am looking forward to enjoying the beautiful outdoors!
I am very excited about my new position and interacting with everyone in this community! Please don't hesitate to contact me at (720) 917-3972 or ukuzma@hepc-connection.org. | |
|
