April 2003
April 16 -- Kim Barnett, R.N. from Roche

SCC Classrooms 3 & 4
Over the last 2 years, Kim Barnett, R.N. has been a nurse practitioner (GI specialty) responsible for patient diagnosis and treatment focusing on management of GI chronic diseases.

Upcoming Agendas:
Meeting Agenda:
6:30 p.m. (sharp) - Theme Song: I Will Survive
6:35 - 6:45 Announcements
6:45 - 8:15 Kim Barnett
8:15 - 8:45 (or earlier) questions/answers 'til we adjourn

May 21 -- Clsrm 3&4 -- Dr. Wakil
Liver Walk sponsored by American Liver Foundation

June 1, 2003
William Land Park. $15 registration fee
More News
Our Meetings: 3rd Wednesdays of every month; at SCC (Sutter Cancer Center, aka: Buhler Bldg) classroom 3&4 or Room 220; 2800 L St (@ 28th & L: kitty corner across from the 2-story parking & across L St. from Sutter Hospital)
Contact Us: Phone number: (916) 444-6996
Our Web Site> www.sacmall.net/transplant/hepc.html
Email: dck@innercite.com (include "I Will Survive" in subject line or your message might be delected before being read).
*New readers of this newsletter, see the following.
If you want to be included on our mailing/emailing list and you can afford to include a donation, make it to "I Will Survive, The Effort", P.O. Bx 2180, Loomis, CA 95650 for:
$24 if you want the Newsletter by U.S. mail
$15 if you get the Newsletter from the website (if you wish, each month we'll email a link to you)
$ 0 if, right now, you can't afford to pay dues. In which case "I Will Survive" will mail monthly Newsletters to you. Please contribute to the "Donations" Box at the meetings as you are able.

From March/April 2003 Hep C Connections:
...At www.hepcchallenge.org is a 400 page downloadable text (no charge) considering hepatitis C from practically every possible viewpoint.
...Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has published new guidelines hepatitis C lab tests; postive results on an anti-body test should not be reported until the results of supplemental testing (such as HCV RNA) are also available.
From April-June 2003 Hepatitis Magazine:
...1982 studies show green tea with meals reduces the absorption of iron by 62% (large amounts of iron in the body are associated with decreased of sustained viral response (SVR) to interferon therapy). A 1995 Japanese study stated "increased consumption of green tea...was related to decreased concentrations of hepatological markers in serum, aspartate aminotransferase (AST, SGOT), alamine transferase and ferritin...green tea may act protectively against cardiovascular disease and disorders of the liver." Green tea, lightly steamed before being dried, doesn't undergo a fermentation or oxidation process as do oolong and black teas (whose antioxidant properties are greatly reduced). "While green (and white) teas do not offer miracle cures,...they can be components of prevention and good health--especially when compared to soda and coffee". Except for the decaf versions, green teas contain about 1/3 the amount of caffeine in coffee.
...A major proponent of "the Germ Theory", the 19th century German pathologist Rudolph Virchow stated: "If I had my life to live over again, I would devote it to demonstrating that germs attack diseased flesh; they do not cause disease".
...In 1988, Cogress prohibited the use of federal funds to support needle exchange programs 'unless the U.S. Sect. of Health and Human Services (HHS) determines that such programs are effective in preventing the spread of HIV and do not encourage the use of illegal drugs'...In April 1998, HHS Sect. D.Shalala announced that needle exchange programs were effective in preventing the spread of HIV and did not encourage illegal drug use but continued the ban on needle exchange funding. At the time, M.Akhter, executive director of APHA said that "In the face of such overwhelming scientific evidence, not releasing federal funds gives the impression that politics takes precedence over saving lives". The AMA encourages needle exchange programs and supports legislation revoking the 1988 federal funding ban...In 2002, former President Clinton said he made a mistake in not supporting needle exchange programs to prevent the spread of HIV and other diseases among injection drug users. The harm reduction paradigm is simple and approaches addictive behavior on the basis of 3 fundamental principles:
1) excessive behaviors occur along a continuum; it is not an all-or-nothing issue
2) changing addictive behavior is a stepwise process with complete abstinence the final step. Any movement, no matter how small, in the direction of reduced harm is positive.
3) sobriety isn't for everyone. Many people live under horrible conditions and until society offers an alternative means of survival to these people, we are in no position to cast moral judgement. "Medical science now tells us that these laws are not effective in stopping drug use and are causing the further spread of HIV/AIDS. It is a tragic irony that the laws prohibiting access to sterile needles, laws meant to protect people, are now the cause of people dying with AIDS...If a woman has a life-threatening hemorhage after giving birth, we want the doctor to provide medical treatment at once...not to first inquire about the circumstances under which she became pregnant. Or when an ambulance goes to the scene of an accident, we want all those people who need help to be treated, even the person that caused the accident"..

If you have no money or insurance call:
Sacramento Clinical Trials
Schering's Commitment to Care 1-800-521-7157
Infergen's Safety Net Program 1-888-508-8088
Roche's Patient Assistance 1-800-443-6676
Dr. Gish, et al, call: Pacific Hepatology, (916) 443-0503
Dr. Pimstone UCD Med Center, (916) 734-1557
Dr. Rossaro UCD Med Cntr, call: Katherine Suggett (916) 734-8696



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