FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SPEAKER PELOSI ADDRESSES COMMUNITY BASED HEALTHCARE REFORM; Calls for Bay Area Businesses to Help Prevent Liver Cancer

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WHAT:

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi will address the need for community based healthcare reform highlighting the example of San Francisco Hep B Free (sfhepbfree.org), a comprehensive campaign to prevent liver cancer resulting from hepatitis B. Approximately 1 in 10 Asian American Pacific Islanders (APIs) in San Francisco has an undiagnosed case of hepatitis B. San Francisco has the highest rate of liver cancer in the nation.

Assemblywoman Fiona Ma - who is chronically infected with hepatitis B - is among those who will join the Speaker. They will address how fear of pre-existing condition exclusions discourages people from taking measures to prevent liver cancer, and how SF Hep B Free is addressing this issue. They also will request the partnership of the Bay Area's largest and most well-known businesses in helping to address hepatitis B.

WHO:

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, a chronic hep B patient
Congresswoman Jackie Speier
Dr. Garth Graham, Director of Office Minority Health
David Chiu, San Francisco Board of Supervisors President
Jim Wunderman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bay Area Council
Ted Fang, AsianWeek Foundation, SF Hep B Free Campaign member

WHEN: Saturday, October 31, 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Chinese Hospital - 845 Jackson Street, San Francisco 94133

VISUALS:

• Individuals getting tested for hepatitis B
• Colorful lion dance troupe
• Guests include House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Assemblywoman Fiona Ma
• Interviews with San Francisco Hep B Free spokespersons, physicians, Hep B
patients, community and healthcare leaders

RSVP: Ayaka Emoto
ayaka@allisonpr.com - (o): 415-277-4915 - (c): 650-339-0470

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ABOUT HBV: APIs are disproportionately impacted by Hepatitis B. It is a disease of the liver caused by HBV, a virus often called a "silent killer" because it can cause liver cancer, cirrhosis or liver failure without producing symptoms. Eighty percent of liver cancer in APIs is caused by HBV. But it's preventable with a simple vaccine.

ABOUT SF Hep B Free: SF Hep B Free (sfhepbfree.org) is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between city government, private healthcare and community organizations. The goal of the citywide campaign is to eradicate hepatitis B in San Francisco by screening, testing and vaccinating all API residents.