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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
Downtown Denver
Whittier Community Center
2900 Downing St.
3rd Tuesday
6:00 - 7:30 pm
Leslie: (720) 560 4016
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) 940-4901
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
Abby: (719) 761-3710
Pueblo Parkview Medical Center, 2-East Conference Room 400 West 16th St. 3rd Thursday 5:30 - 7:00 pm Abby: (719) 761-3710 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 August 2013 edition of
Connections!
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World Hepatitis Day 2013 Events
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World Hepatitis Day, an annual event that takes place on July 28, provides international focus on people affected by viral hepatitis. It is a great opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of being tested, access to treatment, and how to prevent future infections. This year, organizations and governments across the globe raised a lot of awareness. Press releases were made, speeches were given, and a ruckus was raised! Keep reading to learn about some of the activities that took place!
Denver, Colorado Events
Hep C Connection organized various events in celebration of World Hepatitis Day 2013 in Denver, CO on July 26 and 27, 2013 because the actual date, July 28, fell on a Sunday. The events included:
- Ruckus raising during rush hour traffic on Friday, July 26
- Participation in an attempt to break a Guinness World Record on Saturday, July 27
Check out our pictures below to learn about each of our events.
Dana Kennedy, Nancy Steinfurth, Urva Hannegan, and Andres Guerrero raising a ruckus for World Hepatitis Day at Denver's busiest intersection during Friday rush hour traffic. Harm Reduction Action Center staff and volunteers along with others not pictured also took part in the ruckus raising.
Here's a photo of the Hep C Connection volunteers acting out "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" at Civic Center Park in Denver. Our efforts will be counted towards World Hepatitis Alliance's attempt to break the Guinness World Record of the most people to perform the three wise monkey sequence. This sequence comes from an ancient proverb of ignoring a very serious problem. The campaign, organized by World Hepatitis Alliance, makes the statement that viral hepatitis is often ignored when really action needs to be taken to reduce the burden of disease.
National Events
Here are some of the major World Hepatitis Day events that took place at the White House :
- On July 26 at the White House, administration officials and viral hepatitis experts remarked about the current burden of disease worldwide and the actions needing to take place to dramatically reduce the number of people affected by viral hepatitis.
- President Obama proclaimed July 28, 2013 as World Hepatitis Day for the third year in a row. Check out the proclamation here.
- Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius released a statement that can be found here.
- HHS Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs Nils Daulaire authored the blog Giving Voice to the Silent Epidemic of Hepatitis which can be read here.
Worldwide Events
- The World Health Organization (WHO) released a news release urging governments to take action against viral hepatitis. Check it out here.
- The World Health Alliance organized various activities, including an attempt to break a Guinness World Record. Reach about its activities and the recording break attempt here.
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Upcoming Events
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 August 3
Derby Daze
We will be offering free hepatitis C screening and education material. There will also be other community resources, food vendors, live music, games, bike repairs & giveaways, and pet vaccinations.
72nd Pl. & Monaco St.
Commerce City, CO
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
 August 10
Health Expo Summit at New Hope Baptist Church
A free event with a variety of health services. We will be offering free hepatitis C screening and educational material.
3701 Colorado Blvd
Denver, CO 80205
8:00 am - 2:00 pm
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Articles of Interest
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Marijuana not Associated with Liver Disease Progression in HIV/HCV Coinfection
7/10/2013 / Healio Infectious Disease News
New research on marijuana use and patients coinfected with HIV/HCV shows very little or no association between smoking marijuana and an increase for liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. Read about the study design and results for additional information.
Full Article
Investigators Identify Genetic Profile Associated with Better Treatment Outcomes in People with HIV/HCV Co-infection
7/29/2013 / Michael Carter / Aidsmap
Researchers are looking for genetic variations in patients with a hepatitis C and HIV infection that may be associated with successful hepatitis C treatment. Their goal is to one day predict a patient's chance for success. Read about which genetic variations may lead to physicians being able to make this prediction.
Full Article
Steps Towards Eliminating Hep C
7/26/2013 / Burnet Institute
The medical journal, Clinical Infectious Diseases, has released international guidelines for treating patients that have a chronic hepatitis C infection and that inject drugs. Read about how these guidelines may lead to an increase in the number of patients being treated for hepatitis C among this population.
Full Article
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Our Work | |
We enjoy hearing stories from people that are accessing our programs through attending an outreach event, visiting our website, calling our HelpLine, or any other means of contact. Here are a couple of comments that we've recently received:
"I just received news that I've relapsed after Interferon/Ribavirin treatment. I'm shocked & scared. But, I was searching for anything to do about it & found Caroline Flag's report of her experience. It gave me hope."
- A visitor on Hep C Connection's website
"You tested me for hepatitis C at PrideFest last year and the test came back positive. I then went to see my doctor and he put me on treatment. I am now virus free one year later. I wouldn't have known about the infection and wouldn't have gone through treatment if it weren't for you. Thank you."
-A client who got tested for hepatitis C for free at a health fair
We invite you to tell us your story or leave a comment. Simply send an email to slh@hepc-connection.org. |
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Featured Clinical Trials
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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.
If you are in the metro-Denver area,
University of Colorado Hospital invites you to call Michael Cookson at (303) 724-1876 if you are interested in participating in a clinical trial at the Hospital.
South Denver Gastroenterology, PC is also often looking for patients interested in clinical trials. They invite you to call Sherry Rogers, CRC at (303) 406-4139.
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World Hepatitis Day Sponsors
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Hep C Connection thanks the following sponsors of World Hepatitis Day in Colorado -
    
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Desserts & Delights - Along the Yellow Brick Road
Save the Date! |
Desserts & Delights - Along the Yellow Brick Road is less than 3 months away. Make sure to mark Friday, October 18, 2013 on your calendar to attend the event. It is to be held at Courtyard by Marriott Denver Cherry Creek, 1475 S Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80222 from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Please see the full Save-the-Date by clicking on the below image:
Please contact Sascha Larsen-Helbing, slh@hepc-connection.org, if you are interested in donating or volunteering on our Desserts & Delights planning committee. We are currently seeking the following auction items:
- vacation condo rentals
- gift certificates to restaurants
- new jewelry
- and any other item that guests will be eager to bid on!
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