News > HBF Happenings

HBF Happenings

2008

Hepatitis B Foundation Sponsors First Friday Doylestown
May – For a third consecutive year, the Hepatitis B Foundation sponsored May's First Friday Doylestown in support of National Hepatitis Awareness Month. This free community event featured O’Liver, the Hepatitis B Foundation’s mascot, free literature, local bands and NBC 10 Meteorologist Michelle Grossman.

Believe In The Cure Cycling Tour Raises Awareness About Hepatitis B
May 2008 – Seventeen year-old John Ellis will kick-off the 1,100 mile Believe In The Cure Cycling Tour on June 2 in Pensacola, Florida.

Am I Number 12?
May 2008 – Approximately 500 million people worldwide are affected by hepatitis B or C – that’s 1 in every 12 people on the planet. Learn more.

Congressional Briefing on Hepatitis B
April – Congressmen Mike Honda (CA-D) and Charles Dent (PA-R) will host a Congressional Briefing on May 20 in commemoration of National Hepatitis B Week. Expert speakers will include Dr. Timothy Block, President of the Hepatitis B Foundation. Learn more.

Excitement Builds for 2008 Patient Conference
April - An extended parent session and workshops in Chinese and Korean are only a few of the exciting new additions to this year's Patient Conference. Learn more.

HBF sponsors First Friday Doylestown in support of National Hepatitis Awareness Month
April – This free community event will feature our liver mascot O’Liver, free literature, local bands and NBC 10 Meteorologist Michelle Grossman. Learn about the fun activities planned for First Friday in Doylestown today!

Internationally Recognized Expert on Immune Response to Viruses Speaks at HBF
April – Rafi Ahmed, PhD, HBF's 2008 Distinguished Bruce Witte Lecturer will be the keynote speaker at annual Seminar Series.

HBF Honors Dr. Anna Lok at Crystal Ball
April – The Hepatitis B Foundation’s prestigious “Distinguished Scientist Award 2008” was presented to Dr. Anna Lok, U. of Michigan, by Nobel Laureate Dr. Baruch Blumberg at its Crystal Ball that was emceed by celebrity host CBS 3 news anchor Larry Mendte and attracted almost 250 community leaders.

HBF Crystal Ball To Honor Dr. Anna Lok as Distinguished Scientist 2008
April – On April 12, the Hepatitis B Foundation will honor Dr. Anna Lok, U. of Michigan Medical Center, with its prestigious scientific award for advancing the science and medicine of hepatitis B. CBS 3 News anchor Larry Mendte will be the celebrity host of the Gala at the Doylestown County Club!

HBF Wins Award and $40,000 for Community IMPACT
March - The Hepatitis B Foundation Outreach Team was all smiles as they received the prestigious GlaxoSmithKline IMPACT award and a check for $40,000 at the company’s headquarters in Philadelphia.

GlaxoSmithKline Awards Eight Philadelphia-Area Healthcare Nonprofits with $40,000 Each
March - The Hepatitis B Foundation has been selected for the GSK Annual IMPACT Award for excellence in its outreach and education programs that have helped improve access to care.

HBF Testifies Before Congress for More HBV Funding
March - HBF President Dr. Timothy Block was invited by U.S Representative David Obey, Chairman, Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, to present testimony today advocating for more HBV funding in the fiscal year budget 2009. Dr. Block cited the recent Nevada outbreak as a dramatic example of how the nation is facing a major public health challenge that cannot be ignored. “If we don’t act with urgency, more and more people will suffer from chronic hepatitis,” he said. Read Dr. Block’s complete HHS Testimony.

Support California’s Hepatitis Awareness Day on March 12!
February - On March 12, the California Hepatitis Alliance (CalHEP) is sponsoring Hepatitis Awareness Day in Sacramento, California. The Hepatitis B Foundation is a proud member of CalHEP and encourages everyone to lend their support to this important event. The day will include outstanding speakers, including Assemblywoman Fiona Ma from San Francisco and Christopher Kennedy Lawford. Learn more or register at www.calhep.org.

GlaxoSmithKline Awards Eight Philadelphia-Area Healthcare Nonprofits with $40,000 Each
February - The Hepatitis B Foundation has been selected for the GSK Annual IMPACT Award for excellence in its outreach and education programs that have helped improve access to care.

HBF Launches New Podcast Directory!
February - Visit our new interactive feature that enriches the learning experience of those seeking more information about hepatitis B. Listen to experts in the field by visiting the Hepatitis B Foundation’s new Podcast Directory. Download a Podcast today!

CDC Leader Dr. John Ward Spends Day at HBF
February - Dr. John Ward, Director, CDC Division of Viral Hepatitis, and Mr. Dan Riedford, Deputy Director, DVH, spent a day at the Hepatitis B Foundation to tour the research facilities, learn about our new Gateway to Care initiative, and discuss priority issues in the control and care of hepatitis B.

Philadelphia Leaders Join the Hepatitis B Foundation Board of Directors
January - New board members Kenneth Blank, Ph.D., and R. Donald Leedy, M.B.A., C.P.A. bring many years of entrepreneurial leadership to the Hepatitis B Foundation.

Celebrate AAPCHO’s 20th Anniversary Gala: Cultivating Traditions of Wellness (March 10-11, 2008)
January - Join the HBF in celebrating the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations’ 20 years of dedication to improving the health status and access of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders at their two day conference in Washington, DC, capped off by an elegant fundraising gala. Register today!

2007

HBF Publication Reports Significant Underestimation of Chronic HBV in the U.S.
December - HBF reports there are closer to two million Americans chronically infected with HBV in the J. of Virology.

Researchers Celebrate the Spirit of Giving
December - The Hepatitis B Foundation and the PA Biotechnology Center, in the spirit of the season, collected 1,067 pounds of non-perishable food items for a local Doylestown food pantry.

HBF Scientists Discover Possible New Alternative to Liver Biopsy for Early Detection and Monitoring
December - Scientists working at the Hepatitis B Foundation, in partnership with Drexel University, reported in the J. of Virology that they may have discovered a reliable alternative to liver biopsy for the early detection of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, which afflict more than 5 million Americans.

HBF Video Launched Across the Internet with YouTube Premier!
December - HBF joins leading online entertainment community with broadcast of our mission in action. Visit YouTube to learn how we are improving the lives of those affected worldwide by hepatitis B.

New Funding Opportunity for “Scientist Entrepreneurs”
December - Proposals sought from qualified individuals to develop their ideas into commercializable products and/or companies at the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center in Bucks County, PA. Application deadline is January 3, 2008 for multi-year grants.

HIV/AIDS Panel Features HBF
December - The Hepatitis B Foundation will participate in a special World Aids Day program hosted by the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, PA to focus on prevention, testing and treatment services, and resources for persons at risk or living with HIV/AIDS.

Pennsylvania 2007 Viral Hepatitis Conference Hepatitis
November - Chari Cohen, MPH, Senior Research Associate, was a presenter at the 2nd Annual Pennsylvania Viral Hepatitis Conference in Pittsburgh. Ms. Cohen presented information about perinatal hepatitis B transmission, in conjuntion with Mark Wessner, Perinatal Coordinator for the state of PA.

U.S. Representative Mike Honda Introduces Bi-Partisan Bill to Boost Hepatitis B Research and Prevention
November - Aiming to reduce the number of Hepatitis-B victims, Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA) and Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA) recently introduced a bill that could boost immunization rates against the disease and increase funding for Hepatitis-B research. Read Bill H.R. 3944

Ceremony Held to Name Joshua Feldstein Pavilion
November - HBF expanded its research facilities by purchasing another building named in honor of Dr. Joshua Feldstein.

Hepatitis B Foundation Features Local Biotech Success Stories at Regional Biotech Conference
November - The 7th Annual Regional Biotech Conference - “Biotech Success Stories: What Big and Small Companies Are Looking For” – was held Friday November 9, 2007 at the new PA Biotechnology Center in Doylestown. The conference was sponsored by the Regional Biotechnology Council (RBC), which is a program of the Hepatitis B Foundation and its research affiliate, the Institute for Hepatitis and Virus Research (IHVR).

Asian American Health Conference
October - Chari Cohen, MPH, Senior Research Associate, attended the 4th Annual Asian American Health Conference at the Center for the Study of Asian American Health, NYU School of Medicine. Ms. Cohen presented results of a needs assessment of Philadelphia Chinese hepatitis B patients and their family members. The presentation focused on the specific cultural and economic barriers which these patients face when seeking specialty care for their infection.

HBF Recognized in Congress
September - Congressman Patrick J. Murphy of Pennsylvania recognized the Hepatitis B Foundation in a Congressional Statement delivered on September 5, 2007. He praised the Foundation for its research, education and advocacy efforts and noted that the organization is celebrating its 15-year anniversary.

Pennsylvania 2007 Viral Hepatitis Conference Hepatitis
September - The Pennsylvania 2007 Viral Hepatitis Conference Hepatitis will be held Oct. 18-19 near Pittsburgh and is sponsored by the PA Dept. of Health in partnership with the Hepatitis B Foundation and other nonprofits organizations. It will update health care providers on the latest guidelines and best practices for the prevention, care and treatment of hepatitis B and C. HBF’s public health research dept. members – Dr. Alison Evans and Ms. Chari Cohen – will be giving special presentations. Read full schedule and registration information.

Summer High School Science Enrichment Program Launched by HBF
August - Talented students interested in gaining hands-on research experience were paired with a Hepatitis B Foundation scientist andmentor to learn about biotechnology and public health. The new initiative was a colloborative effort with Central Bucks School District.

Hepatitis B Foundation Helps Get CDC $1 Million More for Viral Hepatitis
August - The Hepatitis B Foundation’s advocacy efforts to raise hepatitis B as a national health priority has successfully resulted in the House Appropriations Committee’s recent approval of a $1 million budget increase in 2008 for the CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis. Congressman Mike Honda issued a public statement during the first session of the 110th Congress on July 17 to express his commitment to increased funding for hepatitis B. Read Congressman Honda’s Floor Statement.

B InformedPatient Conference 2007 Summaries and Slides Posted Online
June - The Hepatitis B Foundation sponsored its 7th annual patient conference on June 8-9, 2007, in Philadephia, PA, with almost 200 participants from across the country. Please visit Conference Summary and PowerPoint Slides.

Library of Congress Symposium: “Combating HIV and Hepatitis B” Webcast Now Available!
On May 10, the Library of Congress hosted a symposium on the challenges of developing an HIV vaccine and ensuring the eradication of Hepatitis B, in partnership with the Hepatitis B Foundation. The event was held to coincide with National Hepatitis B Awareness Week (May 7-11) and World AIDS Vaccine Day (May 18). Listen to what the experts had to say on the Free Webcast.

HBF Launches Public Health Research Department
June - The new department will add a scholarly research dimension to our outreach efforts and focus on three priority areas: Disease Burden: Liver Cancer, and Co-Infections. Members of the team include Alison Evans, Sc.D., Director Public Health Research, Gang Chen, Ph.D., Public Health Scientist, and Chari Cohen, M.P.H., Senior Research Analyst. Read Full Article (on Page 9 of the B Informed Newsletter).

Register for the 5K Answer to Cancer Race! Sun. June 3, McMinnville, OR
May - Support the Hepatitis B Foundation! Have fun running (or walking) at this annual 5K event in Oregon and help support the Foundation! Since its beginning, the Answer to Cancer Foundation has benefited organizations such as the HBF who are dedicated to hepatitis B and liver cancer. The annual race was started by Adrian Elkins who died pre-maturely at age 20 years from liver cancer due to chronic hepatitis B. This is the 5th annual Answer to Cancer Race. Register Today!
Read Adrian Elkins story.

Register for our B Informed Patient Conference
June 8-9, 2007, Philadelphia, PA
May - This year the HBF’s conference will include a special afternoon Parents Session on Friday June 8, featuring one of the nation’s leading pediatric HBV specialists, Dr. Maureen Jonas, Children’s Hospital of Boston. On Saturday, a full schedule with experts to update us on treatments, therapies on the horizon, nutrition and HBV, and an Ask the Experts Roundtable will be featured. Please join us for this annual gathering of friends to learn from others in a supportive environment. Register Online Today!

AIM for the B Campaign Kicks Off National Hepatitis B Awareness Week!
May 7-11, 2007
May - AIM for the B is a public campaign to raise hepatitis B as an urgent health priority in the U.S. and complements National Hepatitis B Awareness Week. The Hepatitis B Foundation will moderate media events in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York City. Learn More.

Congressional Briefing on Asian American Health (Washington, D.C.) May 11, 2007
May - In honor of May Hepatitis Awareness Month and Asian American Heritage Month, a special briefing on health issues, featuring hepatitis B and diabetes, is being sponsored by U.S. Congressman Mike Honda to raise awareness in the Asian American community. Expert speakers will include Dr. Timothy Block, President of the Hepatitis B Foundation. Learn more.

Library of Congress Symposium: Combating HIV and Hepatitis B
(Washington, D.C.) on May 10, 2007
May - Distinguished health and medical experts will participate in a symposium addressing critical issues on the challenges of developing an HIV vaccine and ensuring the eradication of Hepatitis B. Experts from the Hepatitis B Foundation will be speaking about hepatitis B. This event is also co-sponsored by the Hepatitis B Foundation. Learn more.

Free Webcast: The Changing Epidemiology of Hepatitis B
Wednesday May 9 @ 12 Noon
May - An online audio webcast featuring Dr. Stanley Martin Cohen, Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of Hepatology at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, will be offered for 1 CEU. The webcast is offered by Abbott Diagnostics in collaboration with the Hepatitis B Foundation. Free Online Registration Now!

HBF President Dr. Timothy Block Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
April - The Hepatitis B Foundation congratulate its Co-Founder and President Dr. Timothy Block, for being selected to receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Humanitarian Award from the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce! He will be recognized at a special awards dinner on April 21 for his humanitarian efforts in addressing an enormous global health problem - hepatitis B - through the creation of the Hepatitis B Foundation. The Lifetime Achievement Awards, established over 30 years ago, recognize the most influential people, businesses and organizations in Bucks County, PA. Dr. Block joins the ranks of past distinguished recipients such as world-renowned author James A. Michener and Pulitzer prize-winning author Jonathan Weiner, among other accomplished individuals and organizations. Read Press Release.

HBF Publishes New Hepatitis B Information Booklet
March - The Hepatitis B Foundation has published a new booklet that includes all the information you need to know about hepatitis B - how to prevent, diagnose, treat and manage this chronic liver infection. Explanations about the disease and related blood tests are easy to understand; important questions to ask your doctor are included; and practical tips on how to live successfully with chronic hepatitis B are offered in this reader-friendly booklet. Contact us for your free copy or
download a copy today!

Nobel Laureate Dr. Baruch Blumberg Joins HBF As First "Distinguished Scholar"
February - The HBF is proud to announce Dr. Baruch Blumberg as our first "Distinguished Scholar". He will spend time meeting with our researchers and public health professionals to guide them in their work. In 1976, Dr. Blumberg received the Nobel Prize in medicine for his discovery of the hepatitis B virus, and invention of the first vaccine against hepatitis B. By joining the foundation, he will contribute significantly to the completion of his circle of discovery - finding a cure for hepatitis B. "This is an exciting time for hepatitis B research and I embrace the Foundation's goal of eradicating the disease," said Dr. Blumberg. Read Full Article.

 HBF's First Online CME Course is Now Live!
January - The Hepatitis B Foundation created its first online Continuing Medical Education (CME) course to our interactive Education Center. Titled, "Hepatitis B in Asian and Pacific Islanders; Steps Towards Cultural Competency," it offers a maximum of 2 AMA category 1 credit hours.

HBF Offers Exciting Academic Opportunities
January - There are many exciting academic opportunities at the HBF for those interested in pursuing careers in biomedical or public health research. M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are offered, as well as post-doctoral and post-baccalaureate training, in addition to summer internships and scientific seminar series'. Read the brochure or email info@hepb.org for more information.

2006

Pennsylvania Viral Hepatitis Annual Conference Scheduled
November - On November 16 -17, the HBF will partner with the PA Department of Health and the CDC to host the first Viral Hepatitis Annual Conference. This event will provide health care workers and other social service providers with information and updates on the latest guidelines and best practices for the prevention, care and treatment of viral hepatitis. View the Conference Brochure.

Grand Opening Celebration of the Hepatitis B Foundation's
New Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center on Sept. 7, 2007
September – More than 150 VIP guests and state legislators attended the Grand Opening of the new "Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center of Bucks County" held on Sept. 7, 2006. The Center was created by the Hepatitis B Foundation, and is owned in partnership with Delaware Valley College.

• At the opening, a congratulatory message from Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell was read by his representative. Read Full Letter.
• In addition, Governor Rendell announced the approval of the new biotech center as a Keystone Innovation Zone, which includes $250,000 in operational funds. Read Full Article.
• The Philadelphia Business Journal featured the dream, the mission, and the person who drove the creation of this new center. Read the Full Article.

2006 International HBV Meeting
September - The 21st Annual International HBV Meeting is scheduled September 17-20, 2006 and will be held in Vancouver, Canada. For the second year, the Hepatitis B Foundation is coordinating this prestigious meeting, which remains the definitive international meeting that covers all aspects of the biology of hepatitis B and hepatitis D, including biochemistry, molecular biology, traditional virology, immunology, pathogenesis, and carcinogenesis. For more information, visit our site at www.hbvmeeting.org.

Is Your Congressman Supporting the HBV Bill? It’s Easy to Find Out…
June - The first-ever hepatitis B legislation - National Hepatitis B Act - has been introduced in Congress by the House (H.R. 4550) and the Senate (S. 3558). It specifically calls for screening and immunization, and an increase in federal dollars to improve hepatitis B prevention and treatment. Want to see if your Congressman and U.S. Senator supports this bill? Visit our Advocacy Page for a current listing of supporters.

NVHR Plan Officially Presented to Congress
May - The National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR) presented the first-ever national strategic plan to eliminate viral hepatitis in the United States, “Eliminating Hepatitis: A Call to Action”, to Congress on the Capitol Steps in Washington, DC, on May 10. Read Full Article.

Pennsylvania Designates May Hepatitis Awareness Month
May - The Pennsylvania Senate and House provided formal Resolutions designating May as Hepatitis Awareness Month in the Commonwealth. Read Full Article.

National Hepatitis B Awareness Week and AIM for the B Campaign
May 15-22, 2006
The second National Hepatitis B Awareness Week will be highlighted by the successful AIM for the B campaign, a public awareness program that will include media events in 4 cities across the country. Read Full Article.

New! Living With Hepatitis B Learning Guide Available
The HBF is pleased to announce our newest tutorial, “Living With Hepatitis B”, an interactive users guide designed to help those diagnosed with hepatitis B manage their diagnosis and still live a full, active life. Available in Flash, HTML and Printer Friendly versions, this tutorial provides useful information including understanding hepatitis B test results, approved treatments, healthy lifestyle choices and much more. Click here to view the tutorial.

HBF Launches Re-Designed Website!
April - Our new site illustrates our belief that today’s advanced standards of care for complex disease management and future cure begins with integrated information access among expert medical providers, patients and their families and the scientific community.

What are the benefits to integrated health information access?

• Medical professionals and patients receive information together.
• Science discovery comes to medical professionals and patients quicker.
• Medical professionals and patients benefit from current and accurate prevention information and clinical trials.
• Patients have increased peace of mind knowing the information about Hepatitis B and its care is current and accurate.
• Integrated access prepares concerned individuals for medical intervention.
• Patients can become experts in their illness.
• Patients can be more confident in management of one's own care.
• Patients can also become experts in their illness.
• Healthcare professionals and patients experience an increased involvement in medical decision-making leading to better outcomes.
• Patients are more satisfied with their medical care.
• The community concerned with care, prevention, and cure of Hepatitis B is stronger.

HBF Begins Cultural Competency Education Program
HBF is partnering with the Chinese Health Information Center to begin an exciting new pilot program to help educate health care and social service providers who treat Asian and Pacific Islander (API) populations.

Funded by the Aetna Foundation, the program will help to make providers more aware of the specific health needs facing the API population (especially hepatitis B), and will give information on how to treat their patients in a more culturally competent manner.

Initially, the program will be piloted in the Philadelphia area, with anticipation of national expansion in the future. For more information, please contact us at info@hepb.org.

Read the Full Press Release.