masthead
Issue # 80 

September 2014

In This Issue
Support Groups
Upcoming Events
Director of Community Outreach
Workplace Giving
Articles of Interest
2014 Desserts & Delights
Financial Resources for HCV Treatment
Clinical Trials
Quick Links

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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
Gipson Eastside Family Center
501 28th St.
2nd Wednesday
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Beverly: (720) 231-2264
  
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

 

For information regarding support groups in other states, please call our HelpLine at 800-522-HEPC (4372) 

 Dear Friend,


  Welcome to the September 2014 edition of
Connections
 
                      
 

Upcoming Events  

 


Saturday, September 6
9:00 am - 4:00 pm 

Marriott Denver Tech Center

4900 S. Syracuse Street

Denver, CO 80237 

         

Hep C Connection will offer free hepatitis C testing and educational material at the Denver Post's Amazing Aging Expo.  The focus of the expo is to provide resources for baby boomers about critical health, finance and other issues. 

Meet Hep C Connection's New Director of Community Outreach  

Rod Rushing has recently joined the team at Hep C Connection as Director of Community Outreach. He moved to Colorado in 1989 and subsequently ran a discount international travel agency for 11 years until the internet changed the face of travel agencies. He then transitioned into health care in 2005 and has worked to advocate for people's rights with regard to healthcare since then. He recently finished a 5 year gig as a Certified Addictions Counselor III at Denver Health discussing health care treatment, infectious diseases, and the miracle that is recovery with his patients. He loves working with people, advocating for access to treatment. When not on the clock, he is a self-proclaimed foodie, loves working in his garden, and listening to electronic music-both ambient and techno. Stop by and see him when you can or ask him to stop by and see you.

Rod's contact info: [email protected] / 720-917-3960 

Fall Workplace Giving Campaign 

Sascha Larsen-Helbing at the 2014 Denver Employees Combined Campaign Kick-off fair.
Did you know that Hep C Connection is an option in many fall workplace giving campaigns? When deciding where to donate through payroll this year, look for Hep C Connection under "Community Health Charities" in your campaign.  And, make sure to you tell your co-workers about the mission of Hep C Connection and our service to the community.  It can make a difference in how much we raise in that campaign.

Thank you to those who donated to Hep C Connection in 2013 through the following workplace giving campaigns  -
  • Rocky Mountain Combined Federal Campaign
  • Colorado Combined Campaign
  • Denver Employee Combined Campaign
  • King Soopers - City Market 

Articles of Interest 

European Commission Approves Bristol-Myers Squibb's Daklinza (daclatasvir) Across Multiple Genotypes for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Infection

8/27/2014 / Market Watch

A new hepatitis C treatment is available for patients in the European Union and may soon be available in the U.S.  The new regimen is an all-oral combination of daclatasvir and sofosbuvir.  Clinical trial results for this regimen had cure rates of up to 100% and included patients with genotype 1, 2, and 3, including patients that previously failed treatment and patients with fibrosis.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is currently reviewing clinical trial data and is expected to make a decision on approval of daclatasvir and sofosbuvir for use in the U.S. at the end of November, 2014. Read the full article for additional information on the new combination. 

 

Commentary: Public Health Initiatives Needed to Combat Hepatitis C

8/26/2014 / Weill Cornell Medical College 

A recently published article discusses strategies to eradicate hepatitis C in the U.S.  Researchers concluded that a public health approach is needed which should include surveillance and epidemiology, prevention, testing, medical care, social determinants of hepatitis C, and research.  Public health professionals, medical providers, policy makers, scientists and advocates must collaborate to successfully eradicate hepatitis C in the future.  Read the full article here.   

Save the Date

Mark your calendar, our annual fundraising event is less than 2 months away!    

 

Date: Friday, October 17, 2014  

Location:Courtyard by Marriott Denver Cherry Creek

                1475 S Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80222  

Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. 

Tickets: $45 first ticket / $40 each additional ticket  

             To buy tickets, Click Here or call Nancy Steinfurth, 720-917-3965 

Financial Resources 

Planning for treatment?  Looking for financial resources?  Here are two foundations offering financial support to eligible patients that have been prescribed medication for their hepatitis C infection -  

  

Patient Advocate Foundation
Maximum Award Level: $7,500 per year
Website: www.copays.org/diseases/hepatitis-c
Phone Number: (866) 512-3861  

Patient Access Network 
Maximum Award Level: $10,000 Per Year 
Website: http://www.panfoundation.org/hepatitis-c   
Phone Number: (866) 316-PANF (7263)  

Featured HCV Clinical Trials

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, 

 

South Denver Gastroenterology, PC is currently enrolling patients for:

  

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging, clinical trial to assess the efficacy and safety of Rifaximin Soluble Solid Dispersion tablets for the prevention of complications in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis

 

University of Colorado Hospital invites you to call (303) 724-1876 if you are interested in participating in a clinical trial at the Hospital.