2009 5th Annual Hepatitis B Congressional Briefing

Congressional Briefing: Chronic Viral Hepatitis: A Liver Cancer Story

Held May 19, 2009 in Washington, DC, On World Hepatitis Day - the Hepatitis B Foundation hosted its 5th annual Congressional Briefing to call urgent attention to the silent epidemic of chronic viral hepatitis that impacts almost 6 million Americans (600 million people worldwide) and is the leading cause of primary liver cancer, which is one of the fastest growing cancers in the U.S. during a time when the most cancers have declined. Tragically, liver cancer has a five-year survival rate of only 10%, which makes it one of the most deadly cancers.

SPEAKERS

Congressman
Anh “Joseph” Cao (R)
New Orleans, Louisiana

Congressman
Mike Honda (D)
Campbell, California

Congressman
Charlie Dent (R)
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania


Timothy Block, Ph.D.
President/Co-Founder, Hepatitis B Foundation and Professor, Drexel University College of Medicine

Dr. Block has been involved in viral hepatitis research for more than 20 years and is internationally recognized for his scholarship and scientific contributions. He is a Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, and Director of the Drexel Institute for Biotechnology and Virology Research.

Jeffrey Caballero, MPH
Executive Director, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations

Mr. Caballero has been a strong advocate for programs and policies that aim to increase access to quality, comprehensive community health care services through AAPCHO, which is a national advocacy organization whose member health organizations serve nearly 400,000 patients each year.

Chris Taylor
Chair, National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable, and Senior Program Manager, Viral Hepatitis, National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD)

Mr. Taylor provides support and technical assistance to state health department viral hepatitis programs through his job with NASTAD; provides leadership for the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable; and is the appointed North American Delegate to the World Hepatitis Alliance.

John Ward, MD
Director, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Dr. John Ward is responsible for planning the national and international CDC programs related to viral hepatitis prevention and control. His experience also includes 14 years in the field of HIV/AIDS. He has authored over 100 scientific publications and holds a clinical faculty appointment with the Department of Medicine, Emory University.

Katherine A. McGlynn, PH.D., MPH
Senior Investigator, National Cancer Institute's Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics

Dr. McGlynn's research interests have focused on the molecular epidemiology of testicular and liver cancers, and she is currently one of the leading experts on primary liver cancer at the NCI.

Ira Jacobson, M.D.
Chief, Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Weill-Cornell Medical College

Dr. Jacobson is a world-renowned expert in hepatology and liver disease, author of two of the leading textbooks in his field, and highly sought after speaker for lectures and seminars in the U.S. and abroad.

Shannon Morris
President, Sigma Group and Co-Director, Answer to Cancer Foundation

Ms. Morris shared personal testimony about the death of her 20 year old brother Adrian who died of liver cancer due to chronic hepatitis B. She is one of three co-directors for the Answer to Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to hepatitis B and liver cancer. In addition, Ms. Morris is the President and Partner of Sigma Group, a nationally recognized advertising agency.

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