Activist Says Awareness Stops Hepatitis C, Saves Lives.
May 1st, 2004 will mark the 5th Annual Hepatitis C Candlelight Memorial Ceremony, and the first day of Hepatitis C Awareness Month in Canada, (and in other parts of the world). May 1st will also mark the second year that the majority of Canada's provincial governments through proclamation, declaration, or some other form of official recognition will acknowledge the month of May to honour Canadians living with Hepatitis C.

Activist Says Awareness Stops Hepatitis C, Saves Lives

May 1st, 2004 will mark the 5th Annual Hepatitis C Candlelight Memorial Ceremony, and the first day of Hepatitis C Awareness Month in Canada, (and in other parts of the world). May 1st will also mark the second year that the majority of Canada's provincial governments through proclamation, declaration, or some other form of official recognition will acknowledge the month of May to honour Canadians living with Hepatitis C.

Bill Buckels, head of HepACT (The Hepatitis Activist Group), has lived with
hepatitis C for over 30 years. He has been coordinating provincial
declarations, proclamations and events across Canada for several months,
working with local groups to bring the awareness of this deadly virus to
their communities through a series of awareness activities. "Between
210,000 and 275,000 Canadians are infected with hepatitis C, a bloodborne
disease, and an estimated 70% are unaware of its presence." says Buckels.
"Up to 8,000 new infections occur in Canada each year. Most people newly
infected with hepatitis C have no symptoms and are unaware of their
infection, but they are still infectious."

"Through Hepatitis C Awareness we are hoping to increase early detection and
treatment as this increases the likelihood of successful recovery. Hepatitis
C is a treatable illness affecting thousands in every part of Canada. There
is no vaccine and the best defense we have against hepatitis C is
awareness."

"If it's possible that your blood has been in contact with someone else's
blood, whether today or 30 years ago, you should see your doctor and ask for
a hepatitis C test. Symptoms may not show for 20 years or
more. Effective treatments have been slow in coming, and until last year
were less than 50% effective. Now we have treatments that will make the
virus undetectable in the majority of patients."

Buckels has been successfully treated with an earlier
version of the new treatment that is now available to Canadians.

"You need to be detected before you can be treated, and there is no
substitute for awareness!" says Bill Buckels. "If you don't know you have
hepatitis C you may be putting yourself and others at risk without realizing
it!"

"At Sundown, on May 1st, 2004 please join us and light a Candle of Hope in
honour of those who have passed from this illness, the hope that a cure will
be found, and the belief that through awareness the citizens of the Province
and the rest of Canada can stop the spread of Hepatitis C."

About Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a viral blood infection. It can lead to liver failure and
other severe medical conditions.

Hepatitis C is the leading cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer. It is also
the primary reason for liver transplants in Canada.

Hepatitis C is transmitted by direct contact with infected blood or blood
products.

In the past hepatitis C was often transmitted through blood products before
these were screened for the virus. Modern screening techniques have
virtually eliminated the risk of hepatitis C transmission to users of
Canada's blood system.

Currently, the major mode of contracting hepatitis C is through the sharing
of contaminated needles and other instruments among injection drug users.
Other risk behaviors include using contaminated equipment for tattooing,
body piercing, acupuncture, and cocaine use. The risks of transmitting
hepatitis C through sexual intercourse or childbearing are low.

Hepatitis C is a treatable illness affecting thousands of citizens in every
part of Canada. There is no cure for hepatitis C and there is no
vaccination.

Early detection and awareness can reduce harm to those already infected with
hepatitis C and education and awareness can prevent the spread of hepatitis
C to those at risk.

Between 210,000 and 275,000 Canadians are infected with the Hepatitis C
Virus, with an estimated 70% unaware of its presence. Up to 8,000 new
infections occur in Canada each year. Most people newly infected with
hepatitis C have no symptoms and are unaware of their infection, but they
are still infectious.

Loss of productivity, quality of life, and other negative results
experienced by those infected and affected by Hepatitis C impact negatively
on all Canadians!

On an average it takes about 10 to 20 years for serious symptoms such as
jaundice to occur, however some patients experience symptoms immediately
with rapid disease progression, and a liver transplant is often the only
option.

As the liver ceases to function properly, it loses its ability to cleanse
the blood of toxic substances such as alcohol and nicotine.

Approximately 10 - 20% of Canadians infected with hepatitis C develop
cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis is a serious degenerative disease that
causes liver cells to be damaged and replaced by scar tissue.

Approximately 1- 5% of Canadians with cirrhosis develop liver cancer
(hepatocellular carcinoma).

Treatment drugs are expensive, costing tens of thousands of dollars per
person per year, and can have side effects which are severe enough that some
people may have difficulty tolerating treatment.

Many Canadians living with hepatitis C do not meet treatment criteria and
the best treatments are not provided on patient request despite the fact
that even with 'normal' liver function levels many hepatitis C patients are
continually suffering. Many others do not respond to the treatments that are
currently approved. They must wait for new treatments which are slow in
coming.

Without intervention, the death toll from Hepatitis C is expected to triple
by the year 2010.

Early detection and treatment is only possible through increased public
awareness and primary care physician utilization of hepatitis C tests.

About HepACT (The Hepatitis Activist Group)

HepACT is a group of volunteers from across Canada who are living with
hepatitis C. Headed by Bill Buckels, they have successfully
obtained recognition of hepatitis C Awareness Month in every province in
Canada by working with local groups and governments. HepACT is also actively
concerned with hepatitis C treatment access issues and other Healthcare
issues that affect Canadians living with Hepatitis C, and brings these to
the attention of governments and the public.

For More Information Contact

Bill Buckels
National Hepatitis C Awareness Month Coordinator
HepACT (The Hepatitis Activist Group)
Voice Mail: (204) 222-6020
Email: bbuc...@escape.ca
Awareness Month Website: http://www.hepcure.ca/may1
May is National Hepatitis C Awareness Month

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