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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
New Downtown Denver Support Group to be added soon!
Englewood
Englewood Library
1000 Englewood Pkwy.
Last Tuesday
6:30 - 8 pm
Beverly: (720) 231-2264
Lakewood
Shepherd of the Hills Church
11500 W. 20th
2nd Wednesday
6:30 - 8 pm
Betsy: (303) 237-1150
Statewide
Boulder YWCA 2222 14th St. Main Floor Mtg. Rm. 2nd Wednesday 6 - 7:30 pm Debbie: (303) 817-4938 Fort Collins Poudre Valley Health Systems 2121 E. Harmony 3rd Floor Last Wednesday 6:30 - 8 pm Jerry: (970) 214-2912
Colorado Springs
3210 E. Woodmen Rd. Suite 110 3rd Tuesday
6 - 7:30 pm
Heather: (719) 649-0145 Pueblo Temporarily on hold
For information regarding support groups in other states, please call our HelpLine at 800-522-HEPC (4372)
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Dear Friend,
Welcome to the February 2013 edition of
Connections!
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Upcoming Events |
Wednesday, February 13
 Chris Wolf, RN Educator, will discuss the current standard of care in HCV treatment, including dosing schedules, potential side effects, stopping rules and tips for complying with your regimen. Hep C Connection will provide information on nutrition, specialty pharmacies, and support services.
Holiday Inn Cherry Creek
Larimer Boardroom
400 S. Colorado Blvd.
Denver, CO
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Friday, February 15
A Hep C Connection Fundraising Event! Denver Cutthroats vs. Wichita Thunder
 The Denver Cutthroats are Denver's newest professional hockey team, as part of the Central Hockey League, the team plays their home games at the Denver Coliseum! Come enjoy an old school venue and help support Hep C Connection! Game starts at 7:05 pm. Seating is Section 102, and tickets are $19.00. A portion of the ticket price will be donated to Hep C Connection. Click here to purchase your tickets. Enter Hep C as the promo code.Denver Coliseum
4600 Humboldt St.
Denver, CO
7:05 pm
Saturday, March 2
 Please join us at this wonderful health fair. We will be offering free hepatitis C testing and resource materials. Many other health services will be offered, such as blood pressure and glucose screening, vision exams, dental screening and lung function tests. Other health activities will include cooking demonstrations, medication consultations, vaccinations, complete medical and physical history exams and many more health activities! All of these services and activities are free! Renaissance Denver Hotel
3801 Quebec Street
Denver, CO
8:30 am - 3:30 pm |
Articles of Interest | |
Samsca (tolvaptan): Drug Warning - Potential Risk of Liver Injury
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
1/25/2013
Samsca, a selective vasopressin V2-receptor antagonist that is indicated for the treatment of significant increases of total body water and/or sodium(hypervolemic and euvolemic hyponatremia), was shown to be associated with significant liver injury in a recent study. Otsuka and FDA alert medical professionals of this association and make recommendations for patients that have symptoms of liver injury. Follow the link to learn more about Samsca and the complete recommendation.
Full Article
Economist Intelligence Unit Report Calls for Global Policy Innovation to Tackle the "Silent" pandemic that is Hepatitis C
Janssen Pharmaceutical NV / PRNewswire
01/15/2013
Hepatitis C affects many people around the world. The recent report "The Silent Pandemic Tackling Hepatitis C with Policy Innovation", funded by Janssen Pharmaceutical NV, discusses the importance of HCV surveillance, public awareness, prevention measures, and ways to reach patients around the world. Read the full article for additional information on the report and recommendations. Full Article
Gilead's Hep C Regimens Progression Forward
Hepatitis Central / 01/09/2013
Gilead announced that they are continuing phase III studies that do not include interferon. Read about the high sustained virologic response rates from these studies and what future studies will involve.
Full Article |
Judie's Story |
Many patients going through treatment for a hepatitis C infection benefit from hearing the treatment experiences of other patients. Judie, a Hep C Connection supporter would like to share her treatment experience with anyone affected by the virus. Judie had many treatment experiences - monotherapy with interferon, combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin, and triple therapy with interferon, ribavirin, and a protease inhibitor. She experienced the side effects associated with each therapy and offers words of encouragement for any patient going through treatment or thinking about treament. Here is an excerpt from Judie's story:
...The first time I took interferon, the longer I was on it the more depressed I got. I had to keep telling myself that it was the drug causing it because I'm not a depressive type, and always try to keep a smile on my face. Luckily working with children helped me keep going even when I was in great discomfort. I developed a little phrase that has stayed with me, "one foot in front of the other", and I just kept saying that to myself to get through each day. My husband was fairly supportive, but obviously had to put up with a lot. I stopped doing much cooking and we ate microwave meals. I was able to continue walking with my friends in the morning before work. I slept a lot on weekends to catch up, but I also arranged the 3 injections so that I felt better at least one weekend day. I tried to do silly things such as compose little poems to my pillow which was soft and comforting. I bought clothes that were comfortable but still professional. I kept lists of everything I had to do because early on I had completely forgotten two separate meetings. I felt I had to keep the information that I had hep C to myself, although the people that knew were very supportive and understanding...Read Judie's entire story by clicking here. |
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Featured Clinical Trials |
Hep C Connection features one or more clinical trials happening in the Denver-Metro area in each issue. For more information call the contact person listed below. To find clinical trials in your city, visit www.clinicaltrials.gov or call us at 1-800-522-HEPC and we can walk you through the website.
South Denver Gastroenterology is recruiting for a phase II randomized clinical trial to study the efficacy and safety of the combination regimen of MK-5172 and MK-8742 +/- Ribavirin (RBV) in treatment naive patients with chronic genotype 1 HCV infection. Patients must weigh between 111 and 275 lbs. Please contact Sherry Rogers, CRC (303) 406-4139 for more information.
South Denver Gastroenterology is recruiting for a phase 3, randomized, open-label study to investigate the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir / GS-5885 fixed-dose combination +/- Ribavirin for 12 and 24 weeks in treatment naive patients with chronic genotype 1 HCV infection. Please contact Sherry Rogers, CRC (303) 406-4139 for more information. |
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The Support Partnership
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Hep C Connection is a proud partner of The Support Partnership - a network of four nationally recognized nonprofits that have experience with peer helplines, hepatitis C support, education, testing, treatment, and advocacy. For more information please visit www.help4hep.org. The Support Partnership helpline number is (877) Help-4-Hep and counselors from the four nonprofits may be reached while on shift or by leaving a voicemail. We staff this helpline as well as continue to manage our own HelpLine.
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Facebook - Please "Like us" | |
We recently transitioned from a Facebook Profile to a Facebook Page. If you haven't already done so, please "like us" to continue receiving Hep C Connection updates throughout the month. |
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