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  • Bristol Myers Squibb awards grant to Hepatitis B Foundation

    The goal is reducing disparities in liver cancer for high-risk minority groups in the United States. Doylestown, Dec. 22, 2020 – Bristol Myers Squibb has awarded a one-year, $134,000 grant to the Hepatitis B Foundation to close the disparity gaps related to hepatitis B-associated liver cancer in the United States among Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, African immigrant communities and other high-risk groups. Hepatitis B is the primary cause of liver cancer worldwide and more than 2 million people in the U.S. are living with chronic hepatitis B infection. Liver cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, with a five-year survival rate of less than 20%. Over the past decade, liver cancer incidence and mortality has steadily risen each year, even while rates of most other cancers have been in decline. For people with hepatitis B, the key to saving lives is preventing progression to liver cancer and diagnosing it in its earliest stages. This can be accomplished through ensuring that people with hepatitis B are diagnosed and appropriately managed, and receive ongoing liver cancer screening. “This is vitally important work because the communities we will be working with experience a significantly higher rate of liver cancer caused by hepatitis B, in some instances up to thirteen times higher than the general U.S. population,” Chari Cohen, DrPH, MPH, senior vice president of the Hepatitis B Foundation, said. “We greatly appreciate this generous grant from Bristol Myers Squibb.” The grant will fund an initiative to develop and implement a culturally appropriate, community-focused awareness and education campaign to improve knowledge about the link between hepatitis B and liver cancer, dispel common myths and misconceptions, reduce disease-related stigma and normalize conversation around hepatitis B and liver cancer among highly impacted communities. The Hepatitis B Foundation will work with Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and African immigrant communities across the country to implement this project. These communities have the highest rates of both hepatitis B and liver cancer in the U.S. and the greatest liver-cancer related health disparities. Changing the perceptions of hepatitis B and liver cancer can lead to health behavior change, especially when integrated into programs that improve access to care and treatment. These efforts can lead to more high-risk people in target communities seeking out and receiving liver cancer screening, thereby diagnosing liver cancer at earlier stages, when it is still treatable. - 30 -

    https://www.hepb.org/news-and-events/news-2/bristol-myers-squibb-award-grant-to-hepatitis-b-foundation/
  • Join the Fun! We'd Love Your Help!

    There’s a contest going on and we’d love your help! Facebook is having a little competition to see who can get the most “likes” on their facebook page.  The Hepatitis B Foundation wants to help jump-start Hep B Free Philadelphia’s Facebook page, and help them win “facebook Ad cash” in the process.  What will Hep B Free Philly do with those Facebook  Ad dollars? Well, Hep B Free Philly will use those Ad dollars to possibly raise donations, but perhaps more importantly, it’s another way to use one of our favorite social media channels to help promote hepatitis B awareness. Here’s what you need to do…. Visit Hep B Free Philadelphia’s Facebook page and like their page. The like button is at the top of the page. That’s it!  If you really want to help Hep B Free Philly win, ask your friends or family to “like” the page.  It’s that simple! Use the little "Facebook share button" at the top of this blog to share it with your facebook friends! This little competition ends March 31, 2012, so please don’t delay! While you’re there, feel free to check out the page and see what Hep B Free Philadelphia’s community-owned public health campaign is doing in Philadelphia to educate and raise public awareness, along with increasing testing and vaccination in the fight against hepatitis B and liver cancer.  You can also check out Hep B Free Philly’s website! They’ve got a lot of great activities going on! Finally, the Hepatitis B Foundation also joined the competition. At this time our facebook page has 684 “likes” of our page! We’d like to win some of those free Facebook Ad dollars and see how we can use them to  raise HBV global awareness.  So, if you haven’t already, be sure to “like” HBF’s Facebook page! Thanks!

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/join-the-fun-wed-love-your-help/
  • China Approves Hepatitis E Vaccine - What that means if you have HBV

    It was an interesting couple of weeks for viral hepatitis vaccines.  A potential vaccine for Hepatitis C appears to be on the horizon, and China announced it has approved a vaccine for use for hepatitis E virus (HEV). What does this mean if you have hepatitis B?  I’m not sure. If you are living with HBV, it is clear that it is best to avoid coinfection with another hepatitis virus or infectious agent.  Coinfection will likely hasten liver disease progression and increase the risk for liver cancer.  At this time, the hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for those who are infected with HBV in order to avoid additional stress to the liver. Please keep in mind that the mode of transmission is the same for HBV and HCV, but is different for HAV and HEV.  It’s important to keep your viral hepatitis ABC’s straight! Hepatitis E is a self-limiting disease, which is shed in the feces and transmitted via contaminated water and food – very much like HAV.  Although HEV is an acute infection like hepatitis A (HAV), it has about a 3% overall mortality rate and a much higher rate among pregnant women, and solid organ transplant recipients. It predominantly affects those between the ages of 15 and 40 years. HEV is endemic in Central and South-East Asia,  North and West Africa, Mexico and developing nations where there may not be access to clean water and proper sanitation and hygiene.  At this time, it is not prevalent in the U.S., but we are a traveling nation, and it’s something to think about when traveling abroad. The HEV vaccine, developed by Xiamen University and Xiamen Innovax Biotech Co. Ltd. is a three-shot series : shot one followed one month later by shot 2, followed by shot 3 six-months after the third shot. The phase III trial results were found to be well tolerated and safe for the general adult population.  This would make the HEV vaccine a good choice for travelers in endemic areas who can receive adequate protection with a 2-shot series in one

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/china-approves-hepatitis-e-vaccine-what-that-means-if-you-have-hbv/
  • Ringing in a Happy, Healthy 2012 For Those Living with HBV

    Out with the old bad habits and in with the new, healthy habits. The New Year is upon us and for those of us living with HBV; it’s time to make a commitment to habits that support a healthy liver.  Let’s start with New Year’s Eve – A sip of champagne to ring in the New Year? Yes!  Half a magnum of champagne to ring in the New Year… dangerous! Let’s face it. Drinking alcohol and HBV do NOT mix.  Years of HBV results in liver disease progression. Drinking alcohol to excess also causes liver disease progression. The rate and degree of liver disease progression is not necessarily predictable and may vary with the individual. However, mix hepatitis B and alcohol and you have a deadly combination leading to more advanced liver disease progression.  Make the commitment in 2012 to stop drinking alcohol. Do you smoke?  Why?  The warnings regarding the risks of smoking never cease.  If you smoke and have HBV, you increase the rate of your liver disease progression and you significantly increase your risk of liver cancer. Once again it’s the combination of HBV and the bad habit that increases your risk of liver cancer even more.  Smoking is bad for you and HBV is bad for you.  Make a commitment in 2012 to stop smoking. Fatty liver disease and diabetes are on the rise. ALT levels may be elevated by your HBV or by fatty liver disease.  You don’t want either, so do your best to avoid foods that increase your risk for diabetes or fatty liver disease. Take a hard look at your diet.  Do grab food on the go?  Do you shop on the inside of the grocery store or the outside?  Do the food items you buy contain a list of ingredients you cannot pronounce?  Go back to basics. Shop on the outside of the store where the fresh vegetables, fruits and other fresh foods reside.  Make your own meals rather than buying ready-made. There is no specific diet for those living with hepatitis B, but a healthy diet is important. Eat fresh, healthy vegetables, fruits and lean

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/ringing-in-a-happy-healthy-2012-for-those-living-with-hbv/
  • Physician Directory (U.S. & International)

    The Hepatitis B Foundation has created a directory of liver specialists to help those seeking qualified medical care. The specialists have agreed to be included in this directory and treat chronic hepatitis B and/or liver cancer and are willing to be contacted for further information.  Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. In general, most liver specialists are either hepatologists or gastroenterologists. Some may be infectious disease doctors. In some countries there may be a very limited number of liver specialists. We suggest that a person may find a liver specialist or a doctor with experience treating patients with hepatitis B at larger hospitals and research or teaching hospitals. You're invited to let us know if you encounter out-of-date contact information for a physician. If so, please send a note to info@hepb.org. We urge each person to discuss a liver specialist referral with their own personal health care provider. Disclaimer The Hepatitis B Foundation Liver Specialist Directory is intended for use by the public to assist in locating a liver specialist within a specific state or country. All data is self-reported and is not intended for use by organizations requiring credentialing verification. The HBF does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or appropriateness for a particular purpose of the information contained in the Liver Specialist Directory. The HBF does not endorse the individuals listed in the service, nor does HBF verify medical qualifications, licenses, practice areas or suitability of those listed. In no event shall the HBF be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken by you based upon the information provided in the service. Note: This is not a physician referral service. The HBF cannot provide referrals to specific physicians nor advice on individual medical problems. By searching this directory, you agree to these conditions. Physician Registration We invite qualified liver specialists who are knowledgeable about chronic hepatitis B to be listed in our directory. Register here If you are already registered in our directory and would like to make a change to your information, please send an email to info@hepb.org. Do you have a specialist to recommend? Send your doctor's name and contact information to info@hepb.org, and we will contact them personally. Below are the closest physicians in your area. Please note that the names in this directory are provided as a free public service for those affected by hepatitis B and are not to be used as a commercial mailing list. Do you have a specialist to recommend? Send your doctor's name and contact information to directory@hepb.org, and we will contact them personally.

    https://www.hepb.org/treatment-and-management/physician-directory/

  • Donate Your Car to Support the Hepatitis B Foundation Are you thinking of selling or trading in a vehicle?  Donate it to the Hepatitis B Foundation instead. Turn your car, running or not, into a tax-deductible contribution and help find a cure and improve the quality of life for those affected by hepatitis B worldwide.  The Hepatitis B Foundation works with a full-service partner that will make all the arrangements to conveniently and quickly pick-up your vehicle donation at no cost to you. They handle the pick-up, the title transfer requirements, and sale of the vehicle. Donating your car is easy.  Simply call 877-227-7487, extension 2815, and a trained service provider will walk you through the process.  Need more information?  View our most frequently asked questions below or contact us at info@hepb.org.   FAQs What can I donate?We accept most cars, vans, trucks, trailers, motorcycles, boats, jet skis, snowmobiles, RVs and even airplanes! Is my donation tax deductible?The Hepatitis B Foundation is recognized by the IRS as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization and your donation is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.  To benefit from this tax-deduction, you must itemize your taxes.  What do I need to provide?Besides the car, we would like the title to the vehicle. If you do not have it, call us anyway. It is possible that other arrangements may be made. My car hasn't run in years. Can I still donate it?Yes, most vehicles are accepted, running or not (exceptions include older vehicles whose value would not offset the cost of towing). Can you pick up vehicles in all 50 states?It is possible to pick up most vehicles in the continental U.S. and Hawaii. How will the car be picked up?Arrangements will be made to have your vehicle towed away at a scheduled time. How long will it take to pick up my car?Someone will contact you to schedule an appointment within three or four business days at the most.  

    https://www.hepb.org/donate/donate-your-car/
  • B A Hero...Free Hepatitis B Sreening Day!

    Hep B Free Philadelphia is putting on a city-wide “B A Hero” free hepatitis B screening day on Saturday October 22, 2011. Free hepatitis B screenings will be available at the following hospital sites: Jefferson - Focusing on the Chinese community and will be a bi-lingual event Einstein - Focusing on the Cambodian community and others, and will be a bilingual event Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) - Focusing on the African community and the screening of entire families, including kids.  Event is bi-lingual (French/Haitian Creole) Drexel - Focusing on the Chinese and Korean communities.  Event will likely be tri-lingual. Please join us. B sure and B tested All screening and education is Free!  Fun give-aways for everyone screened!  All test results are private and will be mailed to the individual.  

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/b-a-hero-free-hepatitis-b-sreening-day/
  • To Disclose or Not to Disclose, That is the Question

    Choosing to disclose, or not to disclose your hepatitis B status is a very personal decision.  The key thing to keep in mind is that once this private information is out, it cannot be reeled back in.  It’s best to stop, and give it serious thought before you move forward with your decision. Being diagnosed with a chronic illness can be overwhelming.  Many are shocked by their HBV diagnosis. Some have been living with HBV since birth, but because it is often a silent infection, with few to no symptoms, they are surprised they are infected.  Others may have no idea how they were infected. A support network of friends, family and loved ones is important at this time.  Sadly, your news may elicit a variety of responses, from loving support to complete avoidance.  Unfortunately, there is often a stigma associated with HBV.  People are afraid of what they don’t understand, and most are ignorant about infectious diseases.  It’s something that happens to someone else.  Little do they know that HBV does not discriminate. Here are some important points to consider: Location – Where do you live?  If you live in a large city or community, you may be able to better pick and choose who learns of your HBV status. In a larger community you may have a little more flexibility to move around, or make changes if your HBV disclosure is a problem.  If you live in a small town, with few employment opportunities, and a hand-full of nosy neighbors, you might want to think long and hard about telling anyone in your community. Family - Only you know your family.  Depending on your ethnic background, there may be a cultural stigma associated with having HBV. Break the news gently and be prepared to supply easy-to-understand information. Remember there is the possibility that you acquired your HBV infection at birth, and other family members may be at risk and need to be tested. Work – Unless you are symptomatic and missing work due to your HBV, it might be a good idea

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/to-disclose-or-not-to-disclose-that-is-the-question/
  • Transmission of Hepatitis B

    The hepatitis B virus is transmitted through blood and sexual fluids. This can most commonly occur in the following ways:   Direct contact with infected blood   From an infected pregnant person to their newborn during pregnancy and childbirth   Needles and other medical/dental equipments or procedures that are contaminated or not sterile   Unprotected sex   Use of illegal or “street” drugs Body piercing, tattooing, acupuncture and even nail salons are other potential routes of infection unless sterile needles and equipment are used. In addition, sharing sharp instruments such as razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers, earrings and body jewelry can be a source of infection.  Hepatitis B is NOT transmitted casually. It cannot be spread through toilet seats, doorknobs, sneezing, coughing, hugging or eating meals with someone who is infected with hepatitis B. High-Risk Groups The hepatitis B virus can infect infants, children, teens and adults. It is not a genetic disease – it is an infectious disease that is transmitted through blood. Although everyone may be at risk for a hepatitis B infection during their lifetime, there are groups of people who are at higher risk because of where they were born, their occupation or life choices. The following is a guide for screening high-risk groups for hepatitis B, but the list certainly doesn't represent all potential risk factors. Health care providers and emergency responders Sexually active individuals (more than 1 partner in the past six months) Men who have sex with men Individuals diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease Illicit drug users (injecting, inhaling, snorting, pill popping) Sexual partners or those living in close household contact with an infected person Individuals born in countries where hepatitis B is common (Asia, Africa, South America, Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East) Individuals born to parents who have emigrated from countries where hepatitis B is common (see #7) Children adopted from countries where hepatitis B is common (see #7) Adoptive families of children from countries where hepatitis B is common (see #7) Anyone diagnosed with cancer prior to initiation of anticancer treatment Kidney dialysis patients and those in early kidney (renal) failure Inmates and staff of a correctional facility Residents and staff of facilities for developmentally disabled persons ALL pregnant women On July 27, 2020, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) published provisional guidelines recommending that all people diagnosed with cancer be tested for hepatitis B before starting anticancer treatment. According to the ASCO statement, up to 90% of people diagnosed with cancer have at least one risk factor for hepatitis B. Cancer treatments can suppress the immune system and cause the virus to reactivate, which can lead to serious liver damage or liver failure.

    https://www.hepb.org/prevention-and-diagnosis/transmission/
  • Dr. Eugene Schiff Receives Hepatitis B Foundation’s Highest Scientific Honor

    Dr. Eugene Schiff (center) receives the 2015 Baruch S. Blumberg Prize and celebrates with the Hepatitis B Foundation Board and Mrs. Jean Blumberg (3rd from right). Photo: Natalie and Jung Wi, Allure West Studios. DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (May 2015) – The 2015 Crystal Ball, hosted by the Hepatitis B Foundation (www.hepb.org), raised $110,000 to benefit their global research, outreach and patient advocacy programs. The gala evening included dancing, a live and silent auction, and awards ceremony that attracted hundreds of supporters. The 2015 gala was dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) by Dr. Baruch S. Blumberg, who passed away in 2011. Dr. Blumberg received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his discovery of the virus in 1976. He and his colleagues also developed the blood test that is used to detect the virus and invented the first hepatitis B vaccine in 1969. Dr. Blumberg also was a co-founder of the Hepatitis B Foundation. Dr. Eugene Schiff, Director of the Schiff Center for Liver Diseases at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, was awarded the 2015 Baruch S. Blumberg Prize, the highest scientific honor that the foundation confers, for his pioneering work in hepatitis B and its medical management. Dr. Timothy Block, president of the Blumberg Institute, presented the honor to Dr. Schiff along with Mrs. Jean Blumberg and her daughter, Anne Blumberg. Joel Rosen, managing partner of High Schwartz LLP and chairman of the board of the Hepatitis B Foundation also presented the 2015 Community Commitment Award to Drs. Bruce and Cyndie Maryanoff, of the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute. The Maryanoffs, who live in New Hope, Pa., are distinguished scientists who have provided dedicated service to the scientific community and generous support to their local community. The Community Commitment Award was presented to Drs. Cyndie and Bruce Maryanoff of New Hope, PA by Joel Rosen, Hepatitis B Foundation Chairman (left). Photo: Natalie and Jung Wi, Allure West Studios. The prizes awarded tonight demonstrate our recognition of and appreciation for the outstanding contributions Dr. Schiff and Drs. Bruce and Cyndie Maryanoff have made toward medicine and their respective communities,” Block said. “On behalf of the Hepatitis B Foundation, I’d like to thank our honorees and guests for helping us further our mission of developing therapies to combat hepatitis B and improve the lives of those affected worldwide.” Hundreds of leaders from the community, academic institutions, government, health care and biotech industries helped the foundation honor Dr. Eugene Schiff at the “Paper Lantern Festival,” which was emceed by Mr. Patrick Walsh of The Walsh Group and held at the Warrington Country Club in Warrington, Pa., on April 17. The Hepatitis B Foundation’s Annual Crystal Ball Gala would not have been possible without the generous support of Presenting Sponsor Univest Bank; Platinum Sponsors Gilead Sciences, and Tekmira Pharmaceuticals, which recently merged with OnCore Biopharma; Diamond Sponsors ContraVir and Arrowhead Research Corporation; Emerald Sponsors Allure West Studios, deArt Folio, Furia Rubel Communications, High Swartz LLP, and Fulton Bank; and Media Sponsor Bucks County Herald.

    https://www.hepb.org/news-and-events/dr-eugene-schiff-receives-hepatitis-b-foundations-highest-scientific-honor/