As part of our ongoing work around the issues of testing and care of hepatitis C, Project Inform continues its participation in local and national coalitions that help raise awareness of being informed about one’s status.
May has been designated National Hepatitis Awareness Month to bring awareness to the need for increased testing for chronic viral hepatitis. Millions of Americans live with hepatitis B or C, yet most of them do not know it. Hepatitis A and B are both preventable by getting vaccinated. Although there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, increasingly easier-to-take treatments are offering many more people a chance to get cured.
National Hispanic Hepatitis Awareness Day will take place May 15. Project Inform has taken the lead in helping organize a series of local events in San Francisco, bringing together a diverse group of advocates, health educators and organizations that work with the Latino/a community. Local support for this national day will include a press release, press conference and media PSAs, as well as include a liver health education and outreach booth at the Mission Community Market at Bartlett St. and a viral hepatitis testing site at City College’s Mission Campus on May 16. Check www.projectinform.org for updated information about the local event.
Although National Hepatitis Testing Day is May 19, San Francisco hepatitis service providers will be out in force on May 18 at the Asian Heritage Festival in the Tenderloin. Produced by AsianWeek Foundation, San Francisco Hep B Free, the San Francisco Hep C Task Force and the Hep B/C Alliance, they will again collaborate with local agencies to offer hepatitis B and C education and testing, along with vaccinations for hepatitis A and B. Last year’s street fair was a remarkable success, in addition to being a fun time for all.
To get involved and for more information, go to these websites: