Here is an educational video on HCV:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGI4tmEiFic&feature=youtube_gdata

John Kerry introduces a bill to provide $600 million in funding for Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer. It’s not nearly as much as needed, but at least it’s going in the right direction. Contact your representatives and tell them to vote for it.

http://kerry.senate.gov/press/release/?id=77720c93-e5db-46a3-b02f-9bfe1814b4c7

Think tattoos are safe these days? Think again!

http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/Hepatitis/21577

Will this lead to a cure?

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-07/cums-doa070110.php

Victim of  HCV acquired in the hospital educating  medical personnel with the   “One and only ” campaign: One needle, one syringe, one time.

http://www.theindependent.com/articles/2010/04/27/news/local/11756358.txt

We would like to start a “Get Tested” campaign for HCV. If you know of any groups that have used successful methods for this purpose or know of any materials like posters, videos etc. that we could use, please let us know. Thanks.

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2010/983/fe1.htm

I thought I’d share with my readers the frustrations we have had in reaching potential donors.  The people we need to reach are those affected by HCV, whether patients or families of patients. Logically the best place to find these people is through the hosptials. But, due to HIPAA laws and privacy issues, our hands are tied. I have heard the Mayo Clinic and I think the Cleveland Clinic have figured out how to reach potential donors without violating HIPAA . The University of Michigan will soon be trying to emulate their policies in a pilot program in other departments, but not hepatology for a while.  If any of you out there have ideas on how to reach potential donors, please do tell! We must step up our efforts!

Medical marijuana is legal in Michigan now. Find out more about it at:

http://www.annarbor.com/news/top-9-fast-facts-about-the-states-medical-marijuana-program/

This article contends that reducing body weight in overweight or obese patients could reduce risk factors in disease progression of  HCV.

http://hepatitiscnewdrugs.blogspot.com/2009/08/weight-related-factors-tied-to-outcomes.html