July
2002
Dr. Lorenzo Rossaro -- Jul 17

Assoc Prof of Medicine, UC Davis Med Center. Chief of Hepatology, with largest portion of his practice in Hepatitis C and liver transplantation. Co-author of Nw Eng Journ of Med (Nov '98) article that resulted in FDA approval of combination therapy. Involved in projects with Long Acting Interferon and Ribavirin since '98.

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

August 21 -- Dr. Steven Slagle, Transfer Factor
September 18 -- Dr. Gish, Hepatologist
October 16 -- To Be Announced
November 20 -- To Be Announced
December 18 -- Potluck Dinner
(916) 444-6996 is the new I Will Survive phone number

Another way to reach us is to leave a message at our terrifically easy-to-remember number! One of our Facilitator/Volunteers will soon return your call....
More News
Our Meetings: Our Meetings: 3rd Wednesday of every month; at SCC (Sutter Cancer Center) classrooms 3&4 , 2800 L St (kitty corner across from the 2-story parking structure at 28th & L St. and across L St. from Sutter Hospital)
Contact Us: Phone number: (need volunteer)
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 June 2002 HCV Advocate
...At this time, the HCV community has only a handful of activists in the U.S. who are trying to bring about greater awareness, more services, and better care for people affected by HCV. The majority of these have previously been involved as AIDS activists....
Most people believe that it is difficult and time-consuming to be involved in activism or advocacy. This is true for some efforts, but there are many actions that require little time or involvement. An important aspect of activism or advocacy is that it can help those with HCV feel that they can take control of their lives and effect change that benefits both the individual and the community as a whole. In addition, people from every economic, social, racial, and political group are needed for fair representation.
- What You Can Do -
Educating Individuals and the Public; Learn as much as you can then share your knowledge. Back up your views with solid facts and have copies of reports or studies available to handout. Support Groups; Starting and continuing a support group can be one of the best steps you can take to advocate for the HCV community.
Helping Individuals; Simply listening, running errands, helping sort through insurance issues, or accompanying someone to a medical appointment can be a tremendous help. Be sure to define your role in the relationship from the beginning and to faithfully carry out any commitments you make.
Political Advocacy; Involvement in local and national politics can have a tremendous impact. Attend meetings addressing HCV-related issues. Put together a petition to submit to a local government.
Become involved and know your local candidates; send them letters about issues that affect the community.
Direct Action; AIDS activists pioneered the use of direct action to influence government officials, drug companies, religious leaders, etc. Such actions have included demonstrations to influence public opinion, confrontations with government agencies such as the National Institutes of Health to demand more research, and visits to drug companies to demand lower prices. HCV activists have followed this lead, for example, by calling for better care for people with HCV in prisons and demanding reduced prices and unbundling of HCV drugs.
Community Advisory Boards/ Committees; provide informed recommendations to committees formed by pharmaceutical companies, research teams, local governments, private companies, and charitable organizations. Sometimes a voice from the community is all that is needed, but other boards and committees demand a great deal of time and energy. Do your homework ahead of time and take your responsibilities seriously.

In the July 2002 HCV Advocate is a review of the book The First Year Hepatitis C: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed
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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