Hepatitis C Awareness and you

[thanbey]

Hepatitis C Outreach Project has been named a partner organization for the Amercian Public Health Association's National Public Health Week, April 5-11.

We are suggesting the Surgeon General's letter that DID NOT get sent out as the perfect tool for distribution in communities around the country. Sort of taking the bull be the horns, as it were. It is an extension of our continuing effort( <a href="http://www.hcop.org/hcvinfo/articles/index.cfm?articleid=153 ">"Stamp out Ignorance" </a> )to get a Surgeon General's letter sent to the American People as was promised FOUR YEARS AGO.

Some ideas for distribution are:

Putting the letter in you local food bank bags.

Putting them into your neighbor's mailboxes.

Offering yourself as a interview subject for your local news to talk about this campaign and hepatitis C.

A Hepatitis C Sunday at your church or Sunday School.

Anything you can come up with to spread the word in your community.

If we can unite in this one effort, across belief systems and across differences of opinion, this community can be heard on this single issue (awareness) and potentially impact money for research into a cure, programs in public health and treatment. The American Public Health Association and Hepatitis C Outreach are partnering. There is no money involved at all. It will be a matter of you efforts as concerned people to bring this forward into the light.

We  can't do this without your help.

<a href="http://www.apha.org/NPHW/sponsors/national.cfm ">List of Partners </a>

[thanbey]

It still isn't happening.

Those who are aware cannot rely on someone else to take action.

Making 100 copies and distributing them (anonymously is fine) can make a huge difference. Perhaps things might have been different for you if someone had left such a letter in your mailbox or persuaded your minister to hand them out to everyone on Sunday.

This is a moment laden with opportunity.

Carpe diem.

thanbey

[thanbey]

It is common for people to support causes that do not directly impact them.

You neither have to reveal your own diagnosis nor do you have to do anything more than disseminate (or get your minister or rabbi, or any leader of any community group) 100 or more copies of the Surgeon General's letter.

You can leave it in waiting rooms, hotel lobbies, conference tables, bulletin boards, whatever.

Even if you did put it up in your business, why would anyone assume that you were doing anything more than a good deed. You have some friends with hepatitis C. That is more than you need to tell anyone.

[Indiana]

Good work Teresa. I applaud your efforts in this area. I have given speeches at the local High Schools, my church, at the Boy Scout seminars here, And to a local Nurse Practitioner group that my wife is involved with. I think it is important to get the word out on this mostly silent killer.
Thank You for your work................

[ral]

That is great that you have gone out on the limb and done this for your community. Can you tell me how you started and a simple format I might use to start doing this myself?

Sincerely

Bob L

[Indiana]

Well....I was always very involved with all of these groups before I found out what I had, I told EVERYONE. I knew I could not carry on as I had before when I started tx. They all encouraged me.....but they were worried. Especially after I started and dissappeared for awhile. I could not even move much....let alone be a part of the action in the groups. Thay called, and sent food and cards....it was heartening. It got me up offa my a$$. They asked me to come to some meetings and just sit. When I did they then "recognized" me and asked for some "words". I sopke of 2 things....."Self Esteem" and "Facing your fears". It was not hard to talk about. To care enough about yourself to fight for your life and to do it against the "odds" was the theme. You cannot win if you don't even try. To always move Forward and never just sit and let things happen "TO" you. It was always a VERY positive speech. It can be applied to all of your life.  After it was over most of the students got tested....3 were positive. I am still working with them. 2 have cleared. The third has "other" problems but I think she may be ok in the end. In the school it was part of a health class....in church it was part of a "Faith" sermon. In the boy Scouts it was part of a "Positive Attitude" speech. I was there and it just happened. I was ready. I always had a positive attitude about it.
I was on tx and looked the "part" then. When I cleared I came back and gave a follow-up talk. THAT was the BEST!!!! Everyone cheered! I think I fired them up.
DAM THE TORPEDOES!!! FULL PEG AHEAD!!!!!

[Honey15637]

I admire you so much for everyone that you constantly reach out to and motivating the world to get up and get going!!  Kick Some Dragon!!

[ral]

Thanks Indy

I know about never giving up and I do want to help people to understand this disease and the ramifications of it. I have been looking for the place to speak out I think I know where to start Thanks for you input.

GOD BLESS
Bob L

[thanbey]

Thank you.

I am too new to remember who said what and it is not my nature to hold grudges, so best we move forward and put it behind us.

Truly, I don't remember who said what. I respond to the issues and topics, not the personalities.

You have a great day and don't give it another thought.

thanbey

[ellissg]

Seems like a "GROUP HUG" is in order!