Imagine some twenty years ago being diagnosed with hepatitis C, a virus patients knew little about, in addition a disease lacking safe and effective treatments.
In 1994 an estimated 2.7 million persons in the United States were thought to be chronically infected with HCV, an estimate that might be disputed today. We had millions of people with scarce information about one serious disease, not until HCV advocacy began to emerge and premier websites were launched, did vulnerable patients get the help they needed to make difficult medical decisions.
The Best Of The Best Continue On
Today those early websites continue to do what they do best, in 1995 National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project (NATAP) was educating us about HIV and Hepatitis, HepCBC in 1996 was for patients by patients, HCV Advocate opened its doors in 1997 with articles we could understand, both HIVandHepatitis and Caring Ambassadors Program (Hepc Challenge) were up and running by 1999.
In 1994 an estimated 2.7 million persons in the United States were thought to be chronically infected with HCV, an estimate that might be disputed today. We had millions of people with scarce information about one serious disease, not until HCV advocacy began to emerge and premier websites were launched, did vulnerable patients get the help they needed to make difficult medical decisions.
The Best Of The Best Continue On
Today those early websites continue to do what they do best, in 1995 National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project (NATAP) was educating us about HIV and Hepatitis, HepCBC in 1996 was for patients by patients, HCV Advocate opened its doors in 1997 with articles we could understand, both HIVandHepatitis and Caring Ambassadors Program (Hepc Challenge) were up and running by 1999.
Hepatitis Foundation International (HFI)
The site that started it all in 1994 recently closed this past July, after 23 years of educating the world about viral hepatitis, Hepatitis Foundation International (HFI) bids farewell to all the people they served so well.
I remember visiting HFI on a daily basis, reading about disease progression, genotypes, treatment, and when it was time for that liver biopsy no one wanted, I read an article that left me feeling confident, turning my fear into determination. I'm not sure if that particular article was written by our admired and much loved Liver Lady (Thelma King Thiel), but many articles during that time were. From – Thelma King Thiel, former CEO of the American Liver Foundation, established the Hepatitis Foundation, bringing early awareness about viral hepatitis to the public. The foundation gave us patient friendly articles about liver health, along with basic information about viral hepatitis, liver function, but more importantly - it gave us hope.
Thank you to all the good people involved with the Hepatitis Foundation, each newsletter, DVD and article found on HFI's website was invaluable. The foundation made a real difference in the lives of countless people, and changed the course of viral hepatitis.
Press Release From HFI:
FOUNDED IN 1994, HEPATITIS FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL WAS ONE OF THE FIRST SPECIALIZED, PREMIER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO:
• LEAD THE FIGHT AGAINST VIRAL HEPATITIS AND ITS STIGMA
• EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT DISEASE PREVENTION, LIVER WELLNESS AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLES
• ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF OUR PATIENTS FOR PROTECTIVE CONSUMER LAWS AND INFORMED LEGISLATORS
• RESEARCH AND COLLABORATE WITH OUR FRIENDS IN THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY
• BUILD SYSTEMS TO IDENTIFY AND SUPPORT ALL THOSE AT RISK, ESPECIALLY THE HARD TO REACH AND HARD TO TREAT
WE THANK OUR SUPPORTIVE DONORS, OUR PARTNERS, VOLUNTEER BOARD MEMBERS, STAFF AND ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE COME TO US IN NEED THOUGHOUT THE PAST 23 YEARS.
WE HOPE WE HAVE SERVED YOU WELL.
THERE ARE MANY QUALIFIED, VIBRANT ORGANIZATIONS READY TO FILL OUR VOID.
WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO JOIN THEM TO…
CARRY ON THE FIGHT TO ELIMINATE VIRAL HEPATITIS BY 2030!
WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO JOIN THEM TO…
CARRY ON THE FIGHT TO ELIMINATE VIRAL HEPATITIS BY 2030!
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