World Hepatitis Day 2010 in England

Bournemouth town centre played host for this years awareness activities for World Hepatitis Day on Wednesday, 19th May 2010. The Trust supported the Dorset Hepatitis Support Group and Hep C Nomads members in holding their event which ran between 10am and 5pm. There were over 30 members who helped with the day and made it a great success.

Local newspaper, the Bournemouth Echo, visited the event and spoke to different members in the group. Richard Hall, Support Group Coordinator at the British Liver Trust, said: “The day was an opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of protecting their liver from viral hepatitis. One in 12 people across the world are affected by hepatitis, but simple measures are enough to help most people in the UK avoid the life-threatening liver disease.”

1,103 people were diagnosed with hepatitis C in the South West region (including Dorset) in 2008, equating to three people each day. 44 people were reported to have an acute infection of hepatitis B in the region during 2008.

Among the 30 people helping spread the word about hepatitis was John and Chrissy Semple, who run the popular online forum www.hepcnomads.co.uk specifically for hepatitis C patients. World Hepatitis Day is an important day for the Semples who celebrate their second wedding anniversary on the day. The couple met online in June 2006 via a hepatitis C blog while Chrissy was receiving treatment for the virus and John was about to start. Wanting to speak to someone who had experienced hepatitis C and living only 30 miles apart, they met over coffee to discuss their treatment. Their relationship developed and they went on to support each other through treatment.

Since their meeting they have both helped with awareness campaigns and lobbying work for and on behalf of The British Liver Trust. As well as creating the online forum Hep C Nomads which now has almost 1,600 members including patients, medical professionals and carers. The forum provides help, support and information on many aspects of life with hepatitis C including how to cope with side effects, nutrition and insulin resistance.

The British Liver Trust is supporting the message, ‘Get Protected. Get Tested. Get Vaccinated. Get Treated’. People who are worried they might have been exposed to infection can visit their GP or GUM clinic for a test for hepatitis B or C.

You can find the report with more pictures on the website of the British Liver Trust.