December 2002
Silent Vigil and Unity Rally, Jan. 29, 2003, 12:00pm - 2:00pm.
Patients and hepatitis C advocates from across California will converge on the capital in Sacramento, to voice their concerns about Hepatitis C policies in California. If you would like more information about the rally or would like to submit names to be memorialized at the Vigil, call 1-800-282-1777 or visit www.oasisclinic.org
Christmas Potluck -- December 18, SCC Classrooms 3 & 4

I Will Survive will provide beverages, disposable cups, plates and utensils. Along with your concerns, strengths and ideas to share, bring your favorite potluck dish with serving utensils or, better yet, "finger foods". (for location of SCC, see "Our Meetings" below right)

Upcoming Agendas:
Meeting Agenda:
6:30 p.m. (sharp) - Theme Song: I Will Survive
6:35 - 6:45 announcements
6:45 - 8:15 potluck, give and receive support
8:15 - 8:45 (or earlier) questions/answers 'til we adjourn

January 15 -- Rm 220 --Yvonne Faucher, Schering Oncology Biotech
February 19 -- Clsrm 3&4 --Jennifer Sadugor from The Yoga Solution
March 19 -- Clsrm 3&4 -- TBA
April 16 -- Rm 220 --TBA
May 21 -- Clsrm 3&4 -- Dr. Wakil
Quarterly Business Meeting -- 5:30 p.m. December 18

Immediately prior to our December meeting, the leaders of I Will Survive will meet to conduct their quarterly business meeting. All are encouraged to attend and to consider taking a more active role in our group.
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).

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 the Dec. 2002 HCV Advocate:
...Some highlights from the 53rd annual meeting of the American Assoc for the Study of Liver Diseases
......A study of risk factors found that: fibrosis score on 1st biopsy, age @ 1st biopsy, necroinflammatory score, iron on biopsy and mean duration of infection are predictive of progression to fibrosis with the first 2 factors being the most important. On the other hand, the following factors were found to be NOT predictive of progression to fibrosis: HCV genotype, route of transmission, gender (M/F), alcohol intake (less than 6/week in the majority of patients), ALT levels (both mean and peak), steatosis on biopsy or prior HBV infection. Patients with higher levels of fibrosis may be at higher risk of progression than those with no or low levels of fibrosis. Therefore, patients with more fibrosis may need a biopsy every 2-3 years, tending toward the 2 year interval with increasing age. And patients with no or minimal fibrosis probably need a liver biopsy even less often than every 4-5 years.
......Fibrosis score and presence of cirrhosis (but not inflammation), BMI (Body Mass Index) average 26.5 for grade 0 and 29.2 for grade 3, HCV RNA levels and HCV genotype 3 are associated with steatosis. Alcohol use, cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose were found not to be associated with steatosis. These facts suggest that the virus plays a role in how liver cells process and transport fats and that fibrosis occurs by a non-inflammatory mechanism.
......During chronic infection, alcohol increases the likelihood of abnormal liver enzymes, and potentially increases viral load and development of viral quasispecies. Over time, alcohol increases liver inflammation and the risk of developing cirrhosis and liver cancer. Heavy drinkers (defined as alcoholics or users of alcohol dependence support services) are 50% less likely to eradicate the virus. Unfortunately, whether alcohol use that is "not heavy" influences the rate of viral clearance has not been assessed. Drinkers who were abstinent for 3 years prior to treatment had SVRs (sustained viral responses) similar to infrequent or non-drinkers.
......There is an organ shortage. Many do not realize that people with chronic hepatitis C virus infection can donate their organs. In the event of your death, if you wish to donate your tissue and organs, you must sign and carry a donor card (to get one call 1-800-355-SHARE) and you must tell your family. The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) facilitates sharing of organs from cadavers. From their website at www.unos.org:


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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