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Join Our List
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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 monthly meetings. New members always welcome.
Metro-Denver
Aurora
900 Potomac St.
1st Floor Cafeteria
1st Tuesday
6:30 - 8 pm
Kim: (303)862-0407
Englewood
Place - coming soon
Day - coming soon
Time - coming soon
Kim: (303)862-0407
Lakewood
11500 W. 20th
2nd Tuesday
6:30 - 8 pm
Betsy: (303)237-1150
HIV/HCV Positive
1735 York
4th Tuesday
5:30 - 7 pm
Kim: (303)862-0407
Statewide
Boulder
YWCA 2222 14th St.
EDGE Classroom
2nd Wednesday
6 - 7:30 pm
Carrie: (303)875-2568
CO Springs
825 E. Pikes Peak Ave.
5th Floor Dining Room
3rd Thursday
7 - 8:30 pm
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 Rd.
Building A
1st Wednesday
5:15 - 6:45 pm
Rainy: (970)208-4507
*last mtg. June 2*
Pueblo
Main Library
100 E. Abriendo Ave.
Room 211
3rd Monday
6 - 7:30 pm
Dave: (719)440-0025
For information regarding support groups in other states, please call our HelpLine at 800-522-HEPC (4372) | |
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Dear ,
Welcome to the June 2010 edition of
Connections! |
Upcoming Events!
Summer is a busy time for celebrations, fairs, and activities around the state and we plan on being part of it! Hep C Connection will be present at the following Colorado events to provide resources, education on hepatitis C and/or HCV screening: |
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Derby Daze
What: Information/Education
When: Saturday, June 12th (10am - 4pm)
Where: 72nd Ave. and Magnolia St., Commerce City
PrideFest Denver
What: Information/Education and HCV Screening
When: Saturday, June 19th (9am - 7pm) and Sunday, June 20th (10am - 6pm)
Where: Civic Center Park, downtown Denver
Ladies Run
What: Information/Education and HCV Screening
When: Saturday, July 10th (time TBD)
Where: Fairplay
AIDS Walk
What: Information/Education and Fundraising Walk
When: Saturday, August 14th (8am - 2pm)
Where: Cheesman Park, Denver
Salute to American Veterans Rally
What: Information/Education and HCV Screening
When: Friday, August 20th, Saturday, August 21st and Sunday, August 22nd (times TBD)
Where: Cripple Creek
Check out these events if you're in the area! Hope to see you there! | |
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| Seeking Volunteers |
Hep C Connection is looking for the following:
- Outreach Volunteers: Like meeting people? So do we! Hep C Connection needs volunteers for summer events (listed above)! If you like to socialize while also educating others on this important health topic, this is the position for you. The time commitment for this role is flexible and you can sign up according to your interest and availability. All necessary education and outreach training will be provided. This could be the ideal opportunity to expand your training and community connections.
- HelpLine Volunteers: Be the voice that impacts a life! This is a weekly commitment to serve callers across the country from our office. A set schedule around your availability can be made and you can read or study during your downtime. Counseling and hepatitis C education training will be provided. This is a great opportunity to build your resume with experience while positively affecting callers' lives. Interested in getting involved on a deeper level - conducting research, hepatitis C testing or translating journal articles? We also have internships! Ideally, applicants will have a background in public health, social work, counseling, or the health sciences. This would be a commitment of 10 - 15 hours a week for at least six months. We can tailor the internship to your skills or academic needs. Please contact Urva Kuzma at (720) 917 - 3972 or ukuzma@hepc-connection.org for information on volunteer/internship opportunities. |
| Treatment Updates |
75% of Treatment-Naïve Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Achieve Viral Cure with Teleprevir-Based Treatment in Phase 3 Trial
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated announced on May 25th that 75% of people chronically infected with genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) who had not previously been treated achieved a sustained viral response (SVR or viral cure) after receiving a 12-week telaprevir-based combination regimen, followed by treatment with pegylated-interferon and ribavirin alone, in the Phase 3 ADVANCE trial. 69% of people achieved SVR after receiving an 8-week telaprevir-based combination regimen, followed by treatment with pegylated-interferon and ribavirin alone. 44% of people in the control arm achieved SVR after 48 weeks of treatment with the currently approved regimen of pegylated-interferon and ribavirin. Read More
Hep C Drug Shows Promise in Mid-Stage Trial
Anadys Pharmaceuticals said on May 21st that its experimental hepatitis C drug showed positive early response rates in a mid-stage trial. The ongoing phase-II study demonstrated that 75% of hepatitis C patients treated with 400 mg ANA598 twice daily (bid) in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin (current standard of care, or SOC) achieved undetectable levels of virus (<15 IU/mL) at week 12, known as complete Early Virological Response or cEVR. Read More
Trials Begin on Hepatitis C Drug Developed in Cardiff
On May 13th, it was announced that the first human clinical trials have started on a new drug developed to treat infections caused by the hepatitis C virus. The medication, taken orally, was first prepared at the Welsh School of Pharmacy at Cardiff University in 2008. Laboratory tests showed it killed 90% of the virus at very low concentration. Trials in healthy volunteers to assess the drug's safety are being held before its effectiveness on patients is tested in trials next year. Read More |
| Hepatitis Awareness Updates |
1) The Colorado Syringe Exchange Bill passed the state legislature and was signed by Governor Bill Ritter on May 26th. With the passing of this bill, syringe exchange programs are legal as early as August 2010. County or districts boards of health can commission an exchange program, which would swap dirty needles for clean ones to prevent the spread of diseases such as Hepatitis C and HIV.
2) On May 21st, the World Hepatitis Alliance welcomed the agreement of a World Health Organization resolution on viral hepatitis by the 63rd World Assembly in Geneva. For the first time, the resolution recognizes the global impact of hepatitis B and C "two diseases that kill one million people a year and which to date have not received the global attention they deserve." The World Health Assembly has established a robust framework to deliver improvements in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and awareness. The resolution clearly states the need for global coordinated action to tackle viral hepatitis backed by dedicated resources. It also provides global endorsement of World Hepatitis Day as the primary focus for national and international awareness-raising efforts. Read More
4) Due to weather issues on May 19th, our plans for celebrating World Hepatitis Day at the Surrounded by Recovery rally were postponed until May 21st. We provided information and HCV screening and our Executive Director, Nancy Steinfurth, spoke at the event as well.
5) President Obama recognized World Hepatitis Day with the following statement:
I send warm greetings to all those observing World Hepatitis Day.
Millions of Americans are affected by viral hepatitis, and too many do not know they are infected. As a leading cause of liver cancer and related complications, viral hepatitis presents a major public health challenge both at home and abroad. We must work together to raise awareness, increase access to services, improve preventative care, and end the silence surrounding this life-threatening illness so at-risk and infected individuals can receive the assistance they need.
Across the United States, countless health care professionals, researchers and advocates are working to achieve these goals, and our Nation's future is more hopeful because of their dedication. Their tireless efforts are bringing us closer to the day when words like "incurable" are no longer part of our vocabulary.
On World Hepatitis Day, we renew our support for people living with hepatitis and their loved ones, and for those who are working to improve treatment and prevention. I wish you all the best as you join together to take action against this terrible disease.
6) Our Drop to Stop locations collected over 10,000 used needles during the week of May 17th through the 21st. Disposing of needles properly helps to prevent the spread of disease. Thank you to the organizations that partnered with us for this event! |
| Recent Articles |
Kidney Cancer Linked to Hepatitis C Virus
By Jody A. Charnow (5/11/2010)
Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) increases a person's risk for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), a Wayne State University School of Medicine study found. "The results of this study would suggest a more careful surveillance of newly diagnosed RCCs for the presence of HCV infection," Dr. Stuart Gordon and his colleagues concluded. "It is premature to recommend more comprehensive screening of HCV-positive patients for this relatively uncommon neoplasm. However, a heightened awareness of an increased kidney cancer risk should dictate more careful follow-up of incidental renal defects when detected on imaging procedures in patients with chronic hepatitis C." Read More
Hepatitis Infections behind U.S. Rise in Liver Cancer
By Steve Reinberg/HealthDay (5/6/2010)
A type of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, is increasing in the United States, and health officials attribute much of the rise to untreated hepatitis infections. Chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C are responsible for 78 percent of hepatocellular carcinoma around the world. In the United States, as many as 5.3 million people have chronic viral hepatitis and don't know it, according to the May 6 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "The liver cancer rates are increasing in contrast to most other major forms of cancer," said Dr. John Ward, director of CDC's viral hepatitis division and co-author of the report. Viral hepatitis is a major reason for the increase, he said. Read More
Many Kids with Hepatitis C are Missed
By Steve Reinberg/HealthDay (5/2/2010)
Many children with hepatitis C go undiagnosed and untreated, which can lead to severe liver damage later in life, a new study warns. Researchers from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine noted that national data shows that between 0.2 percent and 0.4 percent of children in the United States are infected with hepatitis C. Based on that data, they thought they would find about 12,155 cases of pediatric infection in Florida, yet only 1,755 cases were identified, a mere 14.4 percent of the expected number of cases. "Our study showed a lack of adequate identification of hepatitis C virus infection in children that could be widespread throughout the nation," said lead researcher Dr. Aymin Delgado-Borrego, a pediatric gastroenterologist and assistant professor of pediatrics. Read More |
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A Personal Story | |
I was diagnosed with hepatitis C in early 2008, after many years of just feeling lousy. I was 54 years old at the time and I was just not ready to accept that my feeling of ill health was due to age. I've always been proactive when it comes to my health and have taken pretty good care of myself.
After blood tests, I was diagnosed with hepatitis C. My doctor ordered an Ultrasound, CT scan and Liver Biopsy and found that my liver was in Stage 4 liver disease - cirrhosis. I was shocked to find out how advanced this disease was and that it had not been discovered earlier. After all, I had had other medical procedures throughout the years. My doctor suspected that I must have had hep C for more than 20 years to have such an advanced stage of cirrhosis. Why hadn't a medical professional ever discovered it?! I wasn't considered someone at high risk for contracting the virus; however, I had had a blood transfusion in 1979 after major surgery and received blood that I was now told was most likely infected with the virus.
I was referred to a specialist in my area and informed that I was a candidate for Interferon treatment. I began the 24 weeks of injections. Although this treatment was very difficult to go through, I completed it and since then (the last two years) my viral count is nearly zero. I'm told this is considered remission and that the hep C virus is no longer active. I have blood tests about every 6 months to test my viral load and also to check for any sign of cancer. As a result of the Interferon treatment, my thyroid no longer functions and I have to take medication to replace needed hormones. It is frightening to know that I have an incurable disease and that although my liver is compensating at this time, I am still faced with the possibility of liver cancer and liver failure due to the damage already done.
Currently I feel pretty good most days. My energy is low at times, but I am still working full time and have a plan for the future. I want to travel a bit and see my family before facing the next phase of this disease. (Unfortunately I am not yet a candidate to be on a liver transplant list as I must be in decompensated liver failure first.) With a positive attitude, spirituality, some healthy eating habits, light exercise and faith I am taking it one day at a time.
Sincerely,
Susan R.
Prescott Valley, AZ |
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A Call for your Hepatitis C Story | |
If you have a personal story that you are willing to share with our e-newsletter readers 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. |
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Get Pampered while Supporting Hep C Connection! | |
We are pleased to inform you of Goddess Nights, hosted by Rhonda Harrison at Crystal Dragon (1521 Pearl St.) in Boulder, CO. At these events Rhonda will be offering various services, including aromatherapy, smudging, and tarot card readings, and one dollar from every service will be donated to Hep C Connection! Goddess Nights will occur the first Saturday of each month for the next year, with the first on Saturday, June 5th from 5:00 - 9:00 pm. Contact Rhonda at (720) 304-2564 or hummingbirdoils@gmail.com for more information. |
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