City Leaders Welcome New Hep B Free Screenings at San Bruno Ave NEMS

SAN FRANCISCO, April 12, 2011 -

Grand Opening of free public Hepatitis B screenings at North East Medical Services (NEMS) San Bruno Clinic every Thursday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Light food and drinks will be provided.

On April 8, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released its National HHS Action Plan to Reduce Health Disparities. Eliminating Hep B infection for Asians was listed as a top priority. Hep B causes most liver cancer and infects up to 1 out of 10 Asians. "The Portola neighborhood is home to many immigrants from Asia and Africa who may not know nor have ever been tested for hepatitis B," said Dr. Kenneth Tai, Medical Director at NEMS. "As many as 2 out of 3 people don't even realize they are affected and with the opening of our new Hep B screening site, our goal is to help provide awareness to this community."

AsianWeek Foundation is the lead organizer for the event and community partners include APA Family Support Services, Bethel Grace Lutheran Ministries, California Pacific Medical Center, Chinese Hospital, North East Medical Services, SF Chinese Club, SF Public Library, SF Samoa, and Sterling Bank and Trust.


WHO:
David Chiu, President, Board of Supervisors
Phil Ting, Assessor-Recorder
Malia Cohen, District 10 Supervisor
Jose Cisneros, Treasurer
Chris Jackson, Vice President, Community College Board of Trustees,
Kim-Shree Maufas, Board of Education
Eddie Chan, North East Medical Services CEO
Ted Fang, AsianWeek Foundation and San Francisco Hep B Free
Judy Li, Vice President, California Pacific Medical Center

WHEN:
Thursday, April 14
12 noon press conference and community kickoff
1-4 p.m. Free Hep B Screening

WHERE:
North East Medical Services San Bruno Clinic
2574 San Bruno Ave.
San Francisco, CA

INFO:
(415) 373-0895

For more information, and to RSVP online today:
hepbcliniclaunch.eventbrite.com/

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About Hepatitis B:
Chronic Hep B infection is the greatest cause of liver cancer in the world, and the greatest health disparity between Asians and non-Asians. One in 10 Asians are chronically infected with Hep B and are 4 times more likely to die from liver cancer compared with the general population. 80% of liver cancer worldwide is caused by chronic HBV infection. Early detection of HBV will benefit the carrier as well as prevent the infection from spreading. Hepatitis B is not only vaccine preventable, but it also has effective treatments that prevent liver cancer.

About Hep B Free:
Hep B Free is a multi-faceted and comprehensive campaign to make America free of hepatitis B disease and liver cancer through a nationwide collaboration, and network of localized efforts. The model was begun in San Francisco and is being replicated in Las Vegas, Washington DC, Philadelphia, San Mateo County, Los Angeles County, Orange County, Hawaii and other municipalities. AsianWeek Foundation is a co-founder of Hep B Free with Asian Liver Center at Stanford University and San Francisco Department of Public Health. sfhepbfree.org

About North East Medical Services:
North East Medical Services (NEMS) is one of the largest community health centers in the United States targeting the medically underserved Asian population. With over 40 yeras of experience, the non-profit community health center offers comprehensive health care services to a variety of patients, a majority of whom are uninsured or low-income. NEMS offers culturally-sensitive health care services in several Asian and other languages and dialects, including Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Burmese, Korean, and Spanish. NEMS currently operates four clinics throughout San Francisco and one clinic in San Jose. nems.org

About AsianWeek Foundation:
AsianWeek Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and develop Asian Pacific American identity, community and diversity. AWF does this by bringing people together through cultural events, media campaigns, consulting and innovative programs. AsisianWeek Foundation is part of the San Francisco Hep B Free Steering Committee and organizes Hep B community education and awareness events. asianweekfoundation.org

Successful Citywide Prevention Campaign to be Replicated

CPIC integral to evaluation of campaign's effectiveness; other areas to replicate approach

FREMONT, Calif., Jan. 12, 2011
PR Newswire Press Release

The Cancer Prevention Institute of California (CPIC) and three other institutions have released new research findings to demonstrate that the massive collaborative effort known as the San Francisco Hep B Free campaign has increased awareness, testing and vaccination for chronic hepatitis B – a silent killer and the leading cause of liver cancer – in the city's Asian and Pacific Islander community. Asians and Pacific Islanders are the racial/ethnic group at highest risk of chronic hepatitis B.

CPIC Research Scientist Ellen Chang, Sc.D., played an essential role in the breakthrough study just published in the Journal of Community Health. She and colleagues from the San Francisco Department of Public Health, the AsianWeek Foundation, and the Asian Liver Center at Stanford University found that Hep B Free provides communities with a powerful and cost-efficient model to prevent hepatitis B and associated liver cancer in at-risk populations.

Last May, the New York Times covered the campaign, which started in 2007, for its striking yet controversial advertisements.

"Because of this innovative and inclusive campaign, which pulled together 160 public and private partners across San Francisco, thousands of high-risk individuals were vaccinated, preventing them from ever developing liver cancer due to hepatitis B," said Dr. Chang. "Thousands more were screened for chronic hepatitis B, enabling those who tested positive to be routinely screened for liver cancer to catch the disease early and cure it."

The campaign was the first city-wide effort to combat hepatitis B and the first to focus so broadly on Asian and Pacific Islander health. Partners included the Asian and Pacific Islander community, the health care system, policymakers, public officials, businesses, and the general public.

Dr. Chang and her study collaborators showed an 8% increase in hepatitis B screening tests throughout San Francisco from 2006 (just before the campaign was launched) to 2008 and a 17% increase in tests for immunity from the disease. Community events and fairs designed to increase hepatitis B awareness and prevention reached 200,000 individuals.

Prior to the campaign's launch, 30% of primary health care providers in San Francisco could not correctly identify the screening test for hepatitis B and most underestimated the burden of hepatitis B in Asians and Pacific Islanders. As a result of the educational events and materials distributed, more than half of primary care physicians in San Francisco and all hospitals in the city pledged to screen Asian and Pacific Islander individuals routinely for the disease.

For the entire article, and more information about CPIC's research study,
click here

For a PDF version of the article, click here

SOURCE Cancer Prevention Institute of California

This press release was also featured in:
Yahoo News
Bradenton.com
The Street
CNBC
MedPage Today
Centre Daily Times
WTHR-Channel 13, NBC Affiliate, Indianapolis
World Market Media
bioportfolio.com
SunHerald.com, South Mississippi
redorbit.com
WEHT-Channel 25, Indiana

First Ever Hep B Awareness Calendar Published

Published in AsianWeek, December 13, 2010
By Linda Ong

The first ever calendar, dedicated to raising hepatitis B awareness is launching in time for the holidays on Wednesday, December 15 at The Artists Alley in San Francisco.

The 2011 Hep B Free calendar titled “Hep B can affect any one of us…” features 13 striking Asian Americans from the Bay Area, each of whom are carriers, survivors, people with family or friends who have had Hep B, or those who are actively involved in helping to raise awareness of the disease. Both profound captions and poignant personal quotes fill the pages of each month’s spread, in addition to alarming statistics of the effects of the disease and its prevalence among the Asian Pacific Islander community.

“The calendar is outstanding because it shows the relevance of Hep B in everybody’s lives, and that it can affect anyone,” said Ronald Wong, President of Imprenta Communications Group, Inc., who volunteered his time and resources for the creative design of the calendar.

The AsianWeek Foundation and San Francisco Hep B Free produced the calendar, which was shot by L.A. – based photographer Shane Sato. Jennifer Toy provided makeup while hair was styled by Ethel O’Yang of E The Look.

“The goal of the calendar is to spread awareness of Hep B all year round,” said Angela Pang, Community Relations Manager at the AsianWeek Foundation. “When people post up the calendar on their walls, we hope that it will serve as a friendly reminder to them and their loved ones about the importance of seeing a doctor who tests for Hepatitis B, if they haven’t already.”

Also known as the “Silent Killer,” Hep B currently affects 1 in 10 Asian Pacific Islanders, compared to 1 in 1,000 of the general public, and is also one of the primary causes of liver cancer. Despite this, Hep B can be treated with an effective vaccine if an infection is detected early. Therefore, the calendar serves as a daily reminder for the public to go to their doctors to get tested.

“Because of the campaign, I asked my doctor to test me and I have encouraged so many others to do the same,” said Janet Cruz, one of the calendar models and an active volunteer in the campaign. “I am honored to be a part of this pro-active movement with such devoted members who are dedicated to eradicating this fatal disease in our community.”

Calendars cost $10 each, plus $3 for shipping and handling and can be purchased online at sfhepbfree.org/calendar/ or in-person at the AsianWeek Foundation office located at 564 Market Street, Suite 320, San Francisco (Mon. through Fri., from 9 am to 5 pm). All proceeds will go towards ending hepatitis B disease and liver cancer. For more information about the calendars, call Carrolyn Kubota at (415) 373-4003.

WHEN: Wednesday, December 15, 5-7pm

WHERE: The Artists Alley

863 Mission St.

San Francisco, CA 94122

National Hep B Community Gathers in San Francisco To Honor Nobel Laureate Dr. Baruch Blumberg and SF Hep B Free

By Grace Niwa - AsianWeek.com

Left to right:
Meredith Bergin Bailey, Asian Liver Center, Dr. Stuart Fong, Chinese Hospital, Dr. Baruch Blumberg, Dr. Joseph Woo, Chinese Hospital, Ted Fang, AsianWeek Foundation & SF Hep B Free, Janet Zola, SF Department of Public Health & SF Hep B Free, John Fisher, Brown and Toland Physicians Group.

San Francisco – Nobel Laureate Dr. Baruch Blumberg, discoverer of the Hepatitis B virus and developer of its vaccine was honored at San Francisco’s Hepatitis B Free Coast to Coast Awards Gala on September 16 at The Regency Center. Co-host Chinese Hospital presented its 37th Annual Award to Dr. Blumberg for his contribution to improving the health of Asians. Dr. Blumberg was also presented with the 3rd Annual Hep B Free Super Hero Award which includes a blue cape with the “B Superhero” emblem emblazoned on the back. The night’s event was presented by SF Hep B Free and Chinese Hospital, and produced by the AsianWeek Foundation.

“The means are available to prevent and treat hepatitis B,” said Blumberg. “These good outcomes can only be fully achieved if the public, and particularly populations with a high rate of infection, including those of Asian origin, are educated about the virus and take part in the program of vaccination, detection, and treatment. The Chinese Hospital, San Francisco Hep B Free Campaign, Hepatitis B Foundation in Philadelphia and other Hep B Free initiatives across the nation are making the public aware of the problem and leading the efforts to solve it.”

Emceed by Hepatitis B spokespersons, California State Assemblywoman Fiona Ma and ABC7 Anchor/Reporter Alan Wang, over 600 people attended. Special guests included Joan Block, Executive Director, Hepatitis B Foundation, Dr. Moon Chen, UC Davis, Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness, Research and Training, Jeff Cabellero, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations, Dr. Mitch Katz, Chief Public Health Officer for San Francisco, Dr. Ed Chow, Health Commissioner, Mark Leno, State Senator, David Chiu, President, SF Board of Supervisors, Carmen Chu, Supervisor Bevan Dufty, Supervisor and James Fang, President, BART Board.

Hep B Free Philadelphia is a public awareness and education campaign – based on the enormously successful San Francisco Hep B Free campaign,” said Joan Block, Executive Director & Co-Founder, Hepatitis B Foundation. “We felt the time was right in creating this initiative. We want to feel a part of a larger movement for change because together, we can do more to help people and save lives.”

Deaths from liver cancer are rising faster than any other cancer in America. San Francisco’s Hep B Free public health project is leading the country as a healthcare reform model. A unique collaboration of over 50 private and public organizations, its goal is to turn San Francisco into the first city in America to be free of hepatitis B transmission, which is responsible for up to 80% of all liver cancer. Their innovative campaign also addresses the disease as the greatest health disparity for Asian Pacific Americans in the nation, and in the world. Based on the enormously successful SF Hep B Free campaign, other counties and cities are starting to replicate its model. They include Los Angeles, Orange County, Santa Clara, Alameda, Long Beach, San Mateo, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.

SF Hep B Free is the country’s first initiative to utilize healthcare reform principles, including electronic medical records and quality assurance measures, for addressing a leading health disparity and a deadly chronic disease. The program has received national coverage in the New York Times, PBS News Hour, NPR’s Morning Edition, San Francisco Chronicle and others.

Controversial Ad Campaign Creates Headlines Nationwide

By Angela Pang | Read full article

SAN FRANCISCO – “Which one deserves to die?” – the controversial message featuring ten smiling Asian American physicians, beauty queens, basketball players, family members, and office workers has generated coast-to-coast buzz and headlines for the Hep B free movement.

Ten Bay Area physicians.

Prominent nationwide print, television, and radio news organizations have featured the provocative ad campaign which brings the issue of death, caused by liver cancer, to the forefront, including the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, National Public Radio, and PBS News Hour to and local and ethnic Bay Area media.

Sunny Teo, Executive Creative Director of DAE Advertising and the brainchild behind the campaign, says it was vital to have such a shocking message to alert the public that 1 in 10 Asian and Pacific Islanders is chronically infected with hepatitis B compared to 1 in 1,000 for non-Asians.

The campaign appeared in local ethnic and mainstream newspapers, billboards, and bus transit boards in May 2010 in honor of 15th Anniversary of National Hepatitis Awareness Month and Asian Pacific Heritage Month. The campaign addressed the biggest reason for the Hep B epidemic: general lack of awareness about the disease especially among the Asian community who considers discussing illness and death a taboo.

A Chinese version of the ad.

“We felt in order to have impact, our communication needed to directly address the issue of death with a sense of urgency that involved families and social circles,” says Teo, whose company offered their serivces pro bono to the SF Hep B Free Campaign. “Anything softer would have resulted in an ad campaign with messages that nobody paid attention to or cared about.”

The intended provocative nature of the campaign even caused concern among some of the volunteer community models in the photo shoots.

“For months, there were concerns and debates, internally at the agency and within the Sf Hep B Free steering committee, about repercussions. There were fears of negative reactions [from the community] up to the eve of the launch,” recalls Teo. “But we believe the true message behind this came through—that everyone deserves to live, no one deserves to die.”

Teo believes the reasons the ad campaign has successfully resonated with the public is because of a combination of factors – the hard to ignore 1 in 10 statistics, the possibility of deatlh – one of life’s most fundamental subjects, and the participatory approach of the ads.

Tagalog version of the ad

Grace Niwa, principal of Niwa Public Relations, suggests the ad campaign was such a hit because the models were “real people” from the Bay Area’s Asian American community.

“This brought the message close to home, since you could relate to the photo of someone that resembles a friend or family member,” says Niwa. “This also reminds the general public that anyone can be affected by Hep B and we should all work together to end Hep B and liver cancer.”

Niwa has been with SF Hep B Free since its inception in 2007 and says it has been very exciting to see Hep B Free evolve and become a national movement for Asian Pacific America. Her remarks were underlined by Ted Fang of the AsianWeek Foundation, a co-founder and Steering Committee member for SF Hep B Free. AsianWeek Foundation’s mission is to develop and promote the Asian American community.

“This is the first major market advertising campaign to feature all Asian American models, and Hep B Free is the largest organized social campaign ever for the Asian Pacific America,” said Fang. “Those are both milestones in the evolution of our community.”

Nobel Laureate Dr. Baruch Blumberg who discovered the Hepatitis B Virus and developed the Hepatitis Vaccine will be honored by the Chinese Hospital and San Francisco’s Hepatitis B community. The honor will take place at the Hep B Free Coast to Coast dinner on September 16 at the Regency Grand Ballroom. For ticket or sponsorship information, please go to sfhepbfree.org/gala/.

Speaker Pelosi Says Hepatitis B Prevention at Core of Healthcare Reform

November 4, 2009
Connie Zheng | AsianWeek.com

SAN FRANCISCO - In her first public appearance since the health care reform bill rollout last Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed the need for community-based health care reform in a press conference at the Chinese Hospital on Oct. 31, highlighting the San Francisco Hep B Free campaign as a model for the nation.

With one in ten Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus, Hep B Free is a citywide campaign to turn San Francisco into the nation's first city free of the disease.

Joined by local, state and federal officials, community and health care leaders, citizen activists, corporate executives and family associations, Pelosi lauded the Hep B Free campaign's success as an inspiration and blueprint for the national campaign.

"It certainly would not be possible without the local leadership as models for us in San Francisco," Pelosi said. "The campaign has led thousands of individuals to get screened and treated."



Hepatitis B is responsible for up to 80 percent of all liver cancers worldwide, and AAPIs have the highest rates of liver cancer for any racial or ethnic group.

"The Hep B campaign hits the core of our national drive for health insurance," Pelosi said. "The hepatitis B virus is preventable and treatable. Yet too many in the AAPI community across the nation suffer from this disease. We must protect everyone from hepatitis B."

Pelosi underscored the need for culturally sensitive health care that ends discrimination against individuals with pre-existing conditions, such as hepatitis B. The end of this type of discrimination is one of the proposed bill's three main principles, along with affordable health care and fiscal responsibility.

Assemblywoman Fiona Ma has chronic hepatitis B infection and is a leading advocate for legislation to reduce the disease.

"Hepatitis B is a pre-existing condition," Ma said. "We desperately need policy reform to make sure nobody gets kicked off health insurance for pre-existing conditions."



Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA) echoed Pelosi's sentiment regarding health care discrimination at the press conference.

"It is very appropriate that we send a message to everyone in the city that you have nothing to fear about hepatitis B," Speier said. "Pre-existing conditions will no longer be a fear for anyone, whether they have hepatitis B, HIV, cancer, or bunions - you name it."



Additionally, Pelosi discussed how the proposed reforms will remove health disparities among ethnic communities, such as hepatitis B, the greatest health disparity for Asians.

"With reform in place when we pass this legislation, the AAPI community will have access to treatments, the vaccine, screening and care that will help end those disparities, keep families healthy, and ensure our success in fighting hepatitis B and making San Francisco a hepatitis B-free city."

The spotlight on health disparities affecting ethnic communities, such as hepatitis B for Asian Americans, is part of a growing national awareness from health care reform to the White House.

On Oct. 14, President Obama re-established the advisory commission and White House initiative created by President Clinton ten years ago to address concerns affecting AAPIs. While acknowledging the many contributions of AAPI communities to the country, Obama recognized the challenges faced by AAPIs in health disparities like hepatitis B.

"The more than 16 million AAPIs across our country have helped build a strong and vibrant America," Obama said. "It's tempting, given the strengths of AAPI communities, for us to buy into the myth of the ‘model minority,' and to overlook the very real challenges that certain AAPI communities are facing: from health disparities like higher rates of diabetes and hepatitis B."

Under the House Democrats' proposed health care legislation, the government will give new grants for prevention and wellness services to communities with special emphasis on health disparities, expand coverage for vaccines, and eliminate co-payments and deductibles for preventive services such as the hepatitis B vaccine.

"We will have an opportunity in San Francisco and across the country to change our health insurance system for the better, whether it's making this city as a hepatitis B-free city or expanding access to quality, affordable, accessible health care for all Americans," Pelosi said.

Dr. Garth Graham, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health for the Department of Health and Human Services, said the department supported a national strategy aiming to address the issues of prevention of new infections by promoting screening, immunization, education; promotion of early detection; appropriate follow-up and clinical management of individuals with chronic hepatitis B infection with linguistically and culturally appropriate prevention care and treatment; and increased awareness and support of hepatitis B and liver cancer research among national and state policymakers.

"We recognize chronic hepatitis B's disproportionate impact on the AAPI community is a national problem," Graham said.



Since the San Francisco Hep B Free Campaign's inception in 2007, the campaign has developed significant partnerships with over 50 public and private health care organizations, businesses, and educational institutions, as well as Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants. It has created seven low-cost public access hepatitis B screening and vaccination sites.

"Our goal is to try to get everyone screened and tested in San Francisco," Ma said. "We wanted to spread the message we can eradicate hepatitis B, just like smallpox. But we had no money when we started, just a goal. Now two and a half years later, all our community partners, public and private hospitals, doctors, insurance and pharmaceutical companies, non-profit organizations and the community have gotten together to ensure that everyone can get screened, tested and treated here in San Francisco."

The campaign's success has inspired other communities to follow its model.

"It is a model that is being replicated in San Mateo, San Jose, Orange County and Los Angeles," Ma said. "We believe that we are on the way to a movement."

Graham lauded the campaign's use of community partnerships, academia, community-based organizations and local government to increase education and awareness and recommended adoption of its model as part of a national strategy.

"The San Francisco Hep B Free Campaign is an excellent demonstration of what the Department of Health and Human Services is trying to see happen across the country," Graham said. "We want to broaden this model, use it as a model of community engagement and go across the country in terms of national strategy."

Pelosi added that it was no surprise the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would look to San Francisco for leadership and to take its success as a blueprint for the national campaign.

Officials and leaders urged the public to get tested, treated and vaccinated for hepatitis B at the press conference.

"We are so fortunate in spite of the extraordinary infection rates that there is a hepatitis B vaccine that the World Health Organization has called the world's first anti-cancer vaccine," said Senator Mark Leno.



"It is treatable, it is preventable, we can eradicate it," Ma said. "We just need everybody's help."

David Chiu, San Francisco Board of Supervisors President, voiced the hope that the day will soon come when San Francisco will be a hepatitis B-free city.

"We are all here today united in the Hep B Free Campaign," Chiu said. "Chinatown in San Francisco is the Asian American capital of not just our city, not just California, but the entire country. Half of the deaths that arise from hepatitis B come from our community. This is our disease, this is our campaign, and this is our cause."



Pelosi urged everyone to "take the (Hep B Free) campaign theme to heart: B a Hero. See a doctor who tests for Hepatitis B."

******************

About San Francisco Hep B Free Campaign:

The San Francisco Hep B Free Campaign is a "first-in-the-nation" effort calling on the collaboration of a wide spectrum of organizations to educate the public about the health risks of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and to promote routine HBV screenings and vaccinations for the city's Asian and Pacific Islander (API) population. For more information, please visit www.sfhepbfree.org.

About the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV):

Hepatitis B is a serious disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) that can lead to acute illness and chronic infection including cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer. It is a silent killer affecting approximately 1.4 million Americans, of which more than half are of API descent.

HBV is an epidemic within San Francisco's API community. An estimated one in ten APIs have an undiagnosed infection. APIs are up to 100 times more likely to suffer from chronic HBV infection and four times more likely to die from liver cancer compared with the general population. Hepatitis B is responsible for 80 percent of all liver cancers among APIs, who have the highest rates of liver cancer for any racial or ethnic group. San Francisco's liver cancer rate is the highest in the U.S.

Hepatitis B is 100 times more infectious than HIV and is easily transmitted - from an infected mother to her child at birth, through unprotected sex or by contaminated blood.

For more information, please visit www.sfhepbfree.org.

Subaru Donates “Hep B Hero Mobile” to Support Campaign

-- Company Supports Asian/Pacific Islander Community in Promoting Hep B Awareness --

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Christine Hsu, media@sfhepbfree.org or Angela Pang, apang@asianweek.com, work: (415) 321-5894

Subaru Hep B Mobile SAN FRANCISCO, CA, October 15, 2009 - Subaru of America is joining the San Francisco Hep B Free campaign as the official vehicle and partner by donating the use of a 2010 Subaru Legacy detailed with full color artwork promoting the campaign theme which calls on everyone to "B a Hero" in preventing liver cancer and the hepatitis B disease.



Hepatitis B causes up to 80 percent of all liver cancers, and disproportionately affects 1 in 10 Asian and Pacific Islanders. A safe and effective vaccine prevents infection and liver cancer caused by hepatitis B. The most important step towards eliminating hepatitis B disease is by bring tested for infection in your doctor's office.

The new model 2010 Subaru Legacy Sedan is black with a cape design and features the "B" emblem of the campaign along with the Subaru logo. It will debut at the 2nd annual B a Hero Gala - a benefit fundraiser for SF Hep B Free, the citywide campaign to screen and vaccinate all Asian and Pacific Islanders for hepatitis B. The car will be on display in front of the Empress of China on Oct 15 from 5:30 to 9pm and will be featured in prominent Bay Area Asian American oriented events including the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival, Pistahan Parade and Festival and Autumn Moon Festival. The car will make its traveling road show debut on November 4 at the San Mateo Hep B Free launch.

"Subaru is committed to helping educate the community and increase awareness through the Hep B Free movement," said Todd Lawrence, promotions and sponsorship manager, Subaru of America, Inc. "The Asian American/Pacific Islander community is one of the most vibrant and fastest growing in America. We are proud to be part of the community's good health initiatives and continued development.

HBV is the greatest health disparity between Asians and non-Asians. One in 10 Asians are chronically infected with Hep B and are four times more likely to die from liver cancer compared with the general population. 80 percent of liver cancer worldwide is caused by chronic HBV infection. Early detection of HBV will benefit the carrier as well as prevent the infection from spreading. Hepatitis B is not only vaccine preventable, but it also has effective treatments that can slow or prevent liver damage caused by the disease.

"The Asian community draws its heritage from some of the oldest cultures in the world. Today Subaru is starting a new "legacy" with the donation of this Subaru Legacy and becoming the first car company to become a major player in the health and well-being of the growing Asian/Pacific Islander community," said Ted Fang, AsianWeek Foundation Director and SF Hep B Free Steering Committee Member.

"Thanks to Subaru's generosity, SF Hep B Free is delighted to have the hepatitis B awareness message displayed in such an innovative and fun manner," said Janet Zola, Health Prevention Specialist with the SF Dept. of Public Health and SF Hep B Free Steering Committee Member. "We are on the right path to eliminating the transmission of this very serious disease as we encourage everyone to be screened and vaccinated if they have not yet done so."

San Francisco Hep B Free
www.sfhepbfree.org
San Francisco Hep B Free is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between city government, private healthcare and community organizations. The program's goal is to make San Francisco a hepatitis B-free city by (1) creating public and healthcare provider awareness about the importance of testing & vaccinating APIS for hepatitis B; (2) promoting routine HBV screenings and vaccinations within the primary care medical community; and (3) facilitating access to treatment for chronically infected individuals. SF Hep B Free is a project of Community Initiatives, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

The AsianWeek Foundation
www.asianweek.com
The AsianWeek Foundation is a founding Steering Committee member of the Hep B Free campaign and focuses on community organizing and strategic partnerships. AsianWeek Foundation's purpose is to bring together the diverse segments, organizations and individuals of the Asian Pacific/Islander community. AsianWeek Foundation also organizes the Asian Heritage Street Celebration, a celebration of traditional and contemporary culture in Asian Pacific America. It is the largest one-day gathering of Asians in America. www.asianfairsf.com

Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of nearly 600 dealers across the United States. Subaru boasts the most fuel efficient line-up of all-wheel drive products sold in the market today based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy standards. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero- landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit www.subaru.com

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SF Hep B Free Gala Supports Free Chinatown Screenings

-Chinese Hospital, Chinatown community organizations and benevolent associations partner to stop liver cancer-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Christine Hsu, media@sfhepbfree.org or Angela Pang, apang@asianweek.com, work: (415) 321-5894, cell: (650) 703-9364

SAN FRANCISCO, October 15, 2009 - SF Hep B Free is partnering with Chinese Family Associations, Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association and Chinese Hospital, to offer free hepatitis B screenings in Chinatown. The program will be announced at San Francisco Hep B Free gala on Thursday October 15 at the Empress of China Restaurant. Screening for hepatitis B disease is the most effective way to prevent liver cancer.

"We are happy to support hepatitis B testing in Chinatown and hope the screenings will be successful," said Albert G. Chin, president of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association.

Hepatitis B causes up to 80% of all liver cancers, and disproportionately affects 1 in 10 Asian and Pacific Islanders. A safe and effective vaccine prevents infection and liver cancer cause by hepatitis B. The most important step towards eliminating hepatitis B disease is by being tested for infection in your doctor's office.

The Chinatown community testing program is being provided by Chinese Hospital and will take place with screening events to be held in selected Chinatown locations. Chinese Hospital will provide results to all those tested.

"Hepatitis B is a very important health issue and everyone who does not know if their status, should become tested," said San Francisco Health Commissioner Edward A. Chow, M.D.

SF Hep B Free is supported by Mayor Gavin Newsom, Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.


###

ABOUT Hepatitis B
Asian and Pacific Islanders (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. San Francisco has the highest liver cancer rate in the nation and 80% of liver cancer in APIs is caused by HBV. But it's preventable with a simple vaccine.

ABOUT San Francisco Hep B Free
www.sfhepbfree.org

San Francisco Hep B Free is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between city government, private healthcare and community organizations. The program's goal is to make San Francisco a hepatitis B-free city by (1) creating public and healthcare provider awareness about the importance of testing & vaccinating APIS for hepatitis B; (2) promoting routine HBV screenings and vaccinations within the primary care medical community; and (3) facilitating access to treatment for chronically infected individuals. The campaign's theme is "B a Hero. See a doctor who tests for Hepatitis B."

Honor Roll Names Clinicians Preventing Liver Cancer

- List to be published in SF Medical Society Journal and selected media outlets -

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Christine Hsu, media@sfhepbfree.org or
Angela Pang, apang@asianweek.com, work: (415) 321-5894, cell: (650) 703-9364

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, October 15, 2009 - This fall, the San Francisco Hep B Free campaign will begin publication of the Hep B Free Clinician's Honor Roll to promote the growing number of doctor's offices that are testing patients and working to prevent liver cancer and Hepatitis B disease. The list will be unveiled a the 2nd annual B a Hero Gala tonight.

"It should be standard of care for all primary care physicians to screen and test Asian and Pacific Islanders for hepatitis B," said Mitch Katz, MD, Executive Director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health. "We want to highlight those who are already actively working to prevent hepatitis B in San Francisco; and to inspire other physicians to do the same."

"We applaud all those already on the SF Hep B Free Clinician's Honor Roll" he emphasized.

The list will be widely publicized among peers, patients and the public at large. It will run on a regular basis in publications including the San Francisco Medical Society Magazine, mainstream news outlets, digital media, and ethnic media such as Sing Tao Daily, Philippine News, Korea Times, and AsianWeek.com.

Establishing the Clinician Honor Roll follows the release last year of new national screening guidelines for Hepatitis B established by the federal Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia. SF Hep B Free's goal is to have every primary care provider to routinely screen their patients for Hep B.

"As a doctor in a city where more than one third of residents are Asian, I always make it a priority to screen my Asian and Pacific Islander patients for hepatitis B, which gravely affects 1 in 10, and can lead to liver cancer and death," said Dr. Lisa Wing-Yee Tang, of Kaiser Permanente in San Francisco. "I encourage my colleagues to screen as well. This is a disease that can be prevented and I am determined to do what I can to stop the spread of this disease." Tang chairs the SF Hep B Free Clinicians Outreach Committee.

The San Francisco Hep B Free Clinician Honor Roll includes any clinician who has completed a Patient Follow Up form from the San Francisco Department of Public Health Chronic Viral Hepatitis Registry before August 2009. Other physicians can join the Honor Roll by signing a pledge (1) to screen patients at risk for HBV infections in accordance with CDC guidelines, and (2) to respond to information requests from the SFDPH regarding patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Susan Fernyak, MD, Director of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, hopes the Honor Roll will include every eligible physician in San Francisco.

"We encourage all physicians serving adults - including obstetricians, gynecologists, and family practitioners, to sign the new pledge form as a commitment to collaborate with the San Francisco Department of Public Health in its efforts to prevent the transmission of hepatitis B in San Francisco," said Dr. Fernyak.

"San Francisco has the highest liver cancer rate in the nation, and if doctors make a conscious effort to screen for this disease, we can one day eradicate hepatitis B," added Dr. Tang.

The SF Hep B Free Honor Roll project is being coordinated through the AsianWeek Foundation in partnership with the SF Department of Public Health. For more information or to sign up for the SF Hep B Free Clinicians Honor Roll, contact Angela Pang, HonorRoll@sfhepbfree.org or (415) 321-5894.


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ABOUT Hepatitis B
Asian and Pacific Islanders (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. San Francisco has the highest liver cancer rate in the nation and 80% of liver cancer in APIs is caused by HBV. But it's preventable with a simple vaccine.

ABOUT San Francisco Hep B Free
www.sfhepbfree.org

San Francisco Hep B Free is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between city government, private healthcare and community organizations. The program's goal is to make San Francisco a hepatitis B-free city by (1) creating public and healthcare provider awareness about the importance of testing & vaccinating APIS for hepatitis B; (2) promoting routine HBV screenings and vaccinations within the primary care medical community; and (3) facilitating access to treatment for chronically infected individuals. The campaign's theme is "B a Hero. See a doctor who tests for Hepatitis B."

AsianWeek: "Cathay Post Mourns Loss of Commander Bok Pon"

American Legion Post #384, known as Cathay Post, lost their Hero Commander Bok Pon on Tuesday, July 21, 2009. Commander Pon learned that he was another Chinese American victim of Hepatitis B three years ago, and his physician gave him the dire warning that he had about 6 months to live.

Even Superman would be shaken if he had learned that he had overexposure to kryptonite, in this case Bok Pon was told his liver was badly damaged by the Hepatitis B virus and that the malady was fatal. The next day, after a less than great night’s sleep, Bok Pon woke up early and did his normal daily routine - consisting of a 100 pushups and jogging several miles. He was feeling good and he was determined to fight and not let any virus take him down.

Three years later, the indefatigable 82nd Air Borne paratrooper learned after his most recent MRI scan that his liver was almost gone and his time remaining was now very limited – just a few weeks left. Even with that alarming warning, he flew to hot and sweltering Washington, DC with a few missions left to complete.

With his network, he obtained an appointment to meet with Veteran Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki. After explaining his work with Cathay Post, Shinseki a retired 4 star US Army general thanked Commander Pon for all his work on behalf of veterans and promised to visit Bok Pon and Cathay Post soon. The following week, after his speaking engagement at the local Marines Memorial Center, Shinseki fulfilled his promise and met with Pon and most of the veteran members of Cathay Post in the San Francisco Headquarters. The Secretary gave his best wishes to Bok Pon for a long life and promised to visit Cathay Post whenever he was in the Bay Area.



Cathay Post is one of the oldest American Legion Posts in the Country having been inducted into the American Legion in 1932. It is, in fact, the oldest Asian American veteran’s posts in America. At the end of the last Century, Cathay Post suffered the same malady facing 90% of American Legion posts nationwide – senioritis. With large numbers of WW II and Korean War veterans currently dying at a rate of roughly 1000 veterans a day, this Post was comatose as many of its members were no longer ambulatory and the veterans of the Vietnam era and later were not interested in the American Legion for many reasons. Many veterans, quite frankly, wanted to forget their miserable times fighting the VC and mosquitoes, so the ranks of the young in American Legion posts is very limited.

In 2002 Bok Pon personally decided to revive Cathay Post and with enormous determination and tireless effort, recruited new members, raised cash to pay for the expenses of managing an organization, and today, this Cathay Post is a vibrant organization and a model for emulation throughout the American Legion.

Commander Pon made Cathay Post a place to hang out, or plan for community events, or support wounded and homebound veterans, and even planned for a Museum dedicated to the Chinese American veterans who have fought for America since the Civil War. He also dreamed of providing affordable housing for returning veterans as well as senior veterans.

Some of his other dreams have already come true, the Post now has a trust fund to pay full tuition to returning veterans attending San Francisco City College and he also has accumulated a healthy fund to fight the Hepatitis B virus.

Bok Pon also has another special dream, the development of an Auxiliary for Cathay Post for the many citizens who supported the organization but who were not qualified as veterans. Today, the Cathay Post Auxiliary numbers almost a hundred members and they contribute the energy to make every Cathay Post very successful.

Commander Pon was a political conservative, but his liberal concern for the underprivileged is well documented. He served on the Board of Chinese for Affirmative Action and also the Chinese Newcomer’s Association. He helped obtained federal funds for the homeless in San Francisco.

At the same time he and Cathay Post fought for the JROTC program directed by Cathay Post leader Nelson Lum and that battle was won after years of confrontation with a few members of the Board of Education. He did not forget the San Francisco police or fire fighters either and raised funds to give out savings bonds to the top police and fire fighters selected by their own organizational leaders.

Cathay Post already feels the great loss of its preeminent leader; the rest of our community has also lost a great citizen who fought for their welfare and well being.

God Bless Commander Bok Pon. We and our community thank you for all you have done for us and we will always remember you.

-Ronald Lee, Commander, Cathay Post and all the members of Cathay Post and the Cathay Post Auxiliary

Article on AsianWeek.com

AsianWeek: "MYX Celebrates Asian American Heritage Month"

June 2, 2009

Lone Asian American music and lifestyle channel launches on-air, online and on-ground awareness and tribute campaign.

Redwood City - MYX®, the only Asian American music and lifestyle channel currently available on Comcast ON DEMAND, Cox Digital Basic Cable, DIRECTV 2067 and RCN, proudly celebrated diversity in the nation by commemorating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month last May.

Last May 16, MYX® was a major media sponsor of the 5th Annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration, the largest gathering of Asian Pacific Americans in the U.S. The event drew an estimated 100,000 attendees of all races and ages along Larkin Street, from McAllister to Ellis Streets, all savoring the food, carnival rides, games, arts and crafts booths, martial arts demo, the sports car showcase, among other attractions.

Attendees trooped to the MYX® booths on Eddy and Larkin where its day-long activities included raffles of MYX® swag items and special prizes by the half hour, Karaoke Jam, and on-site video coverage for MYX on the Move and My MYX. VJs James Lontayao and Ruby Veridiano-Ching were joined by popular comedian Joey Guila who is also the host of the new show, That’s My Jam: The MYX Music Countdown, as they kept the crowd entertained in the booths and onstage.

MYX on the Move also covered onsite the San Francisco Hep B Free campaign which was supported by California Assemblywoman Fiona Ma and ABC 7 anchor Alan Wang who were both infected at birth by chronic hepatitis B. Asian Pacific Islanders have the highest rate of the disease compared to any ethnic group. It is estimated that 1 in 10 people in the API community have an undiagnosed infection.

Among the public officials who graced the event were San Francisco’s three Asian American Supervisors: Carmen Chu, Eric Mar, and President of the Board of Supervisors David Chiu who said that San Francisco is “the heart of our country’s Asian American community.”

On air, MYX® presented a special line-up of relevant programs that included marathons of MYX P.I., Slanted Comedy, and the launches of Soundtrack and Lexationships with Marc and James. There are also ongoing shorts on “Asian pride” and “Celebrating your Asian Heritage” and animated interstitials on influential Asian Americans that include Google founder and former CEO Jerry Yang, Emmy award-winning journalist Connie Chung, Oscar-winning film director Ang Lee, former Secretary of Commerce and Transportation Norman Mineta, among others.

Online, MYX® created asianheritage.myx.tv containing Asian American-themed vignettes, interstitials and plugs and used an Asian heritage-themed background for MYX.TV.

“We at MYX® can’t visualize United States of America without seeing the influence, contribution and legacy of Asian Americans in every aspect of our society,” said MYX® Channel Management Head Miguel Santos. “We’re proud to undertake endeavors that promote and honor Asian American history, culture, and heritage.”

MYX VJ Ruby interviews one of the attendees at the recently concluded Asian Heritage Street Celebration in San Francisco which drew a crowd of 100,000. (Photo by Nerissa Fernandez)

Comedian Joey Guila and MYX VJ James spiced up the MYX® booth at the recently held Asian Heritage Street Celebration in San Francisco. (Photo by Nerissa Fernandez)

"A Look Back - Hepatitis B Awareness Month"

This news article was first published on AsianWeek.com.

The month of May was designated in 1990 as the "Asian Pacific American Heritage Month," commemorating the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

But why is May also designated "Hepatitis B Awareness Month", and why should it matter to the Asian Pacific Islanders (APIs) of San Francisco?

THE FACTS:

• San Francisco has the highest rate of liver cancer in the nation.
• APIs make up 35% of the city's population.
• 1 in 10 APIs are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
• HBV infects the liver and causes liver cancer and ultimately premature death.
• HBV is a vaccine-preventable virus.
• Most people don't even know they are infected.

In an effort to raise awareness about hepatitis B, numerous events and activities were organized throughout the month of May by the San Francisco Hep B Free Campaign and its many community and health care partners and volunteers.

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May 2 – LIVERight at Golden Gate Park

LIVERight is a 5K run/walk hosted by the Asian Liver Center at Stanford University and Answer to Cancer with the goal of raising awareness about hepatitis B and liver cancer. This year, LIVERight was held on Saturday, May 2 in Lindley Meadow of Golden Gate National Park, with more than 400 runners registered.



California State Majority Whip Fiona Ma and San Francisco Supervisor Carmen Chu were both on hand to kick off the race.



May 8 – Press Conference at City Hall

A press conference was held on Friday, May 8 at San Francisco City Hall to announce a new study by the Asian Liver Center detailing the significant lack of hepatitis B knowledge among Bay Area prenatal care doctors.



More than a dozen publicly-elected officials from multiple agencies came out to express their support of the citywide campaign to eradicate hepatitis B from the API community, including Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting, Supervisors David Chiu, Sophie Maxwell, and Carmen Chu, Bart Board Member James Fang, Commissioner Norman Yee from the Board of Education, City College Board Members Milton Marks and Steve Ngo, City Administrator Ed Lee, and others.



Numerous partners and supporters from the San Francisco Hep B Free Campaign representing a dynamic cross section of business, community and health care groups were in attendance, and several speakers paid special tribute to Ted Fang and to the AsianWeek Foundation for its role in making this initiative both a social movement in San Francisco and a model for the nation.

May 12 – Partnership: San Francisco Giants

In partnership with the AsianWeek Foundation and the San Francisco Giants, members of the San Francisco Hep B Free Campaign were present at the games during Chinese Heritage Night (May 12), Korean Heritage Night (May 14), and Japanese Heritage Night (May 15) to educate Giants fans about the importance of getting tested and vaccinated for hepatitis B.

Assemblywoman Fiona Ma and Giants first baseman Travis Ishikawa carried this important message in a public service announcement that was played during the May 12 homeplate ceremony.



Ishikawa was featured on baseball cards containing facts about hepatitis B, and information about San Francisco Hep B Free was displayed on the scoreboard and on the clubhouse televisions throughout the game.

May 16 – Free Screenings at 5th Annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration

Organized by the AsianWeek Foundation, the fifth annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration was held on Saturday, May 16 at the Civic Center. An estimated 100,000 attendees came out to enjoy the day's events, making it the largest Pan Asian street celebration in the nation.



Approximately 160 people took advantage of the free hepatitis B screenings presented by California Pacific Medical Center and the San Francisco Hep B Free Campaign.



Assemblywoman Fiona Ma and ABC7 anchor Alan Wang spoke to the audience about the importance of getting screened for hepatitis B and seeking appropriate medical care if diagnosed with HBV. Like so many APIs with chronic hepatitis B, both Ma and Wang themselves were infected at birth.



May 16 – Personal Story: Alan Wang of ABC7

Alan Wang of ABC7 went public last year about his own personal battle with hepatitis B after learning that Assemblywoman Ma was also chronically infected. Wang's grandfather died of liver cancer, two of his uncles died of liver cancer, and his mother too has HBV. Undetected for so many generations in his family, Wang and all of his siblings were also infected at birth.

Wang talked about his participation at the Asian Heritage Street Celebration during his evening broadcast to help raise awareness of this serious disease.


May 28 – ORIENTED Happy Hour with SFHepBFree.org

In recognition of Hepatitis B Awareness Month, the San Francisco chapter of ORIENTED.COM will be hosting its May Happy Hour with the San Francisco Hep B Free Campaign on Thursday, May 28 at the Lava Lounge on 527 Bryant Street.

This is a great opportunity to learn more about what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones, while networking with international professionals interested in Asian business and partnerships. So come out and join the fun!



Other programs initiated in May by the San Francisco Hep B Free Campaign included the distribution of 43,000 backpack flyers via the San Francisco Unified School District to educate the parents of school children about hepatitis B. Free screenings were conducted in multiple clinics throughout the city, and 30,000 custom-printed grocery bags with information about HBV were donated for distribution to local businesses by the CEO of Hayward-based Tri Star Plastic whose father was diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B and underwent a successful live transplant.

To learn how you too can get involved, visit the San Francisco Hep B Free Campaign website at http://sfhepbfree.org for more information.

About the San Francisco Hep B Free Campaign

The San Francisco Hep B Free Campaign is a 'first-in-the-nation' effort calling on the collaboration of a wide spectrum of organizations to educate the public about the health risks of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and to promote routine HBV screenings and vaccinations for the city’s Asian and Pacific Islander (API) population. The Campaign is driven by the AsianWeek Foundation, San Francisco Department of Public Health and Asian Liver Center at Stanford University along with more than 150 community and health care groups, including the San Francisco Mayor’s Office. Assemblywoman Fiona Ma serves as Honorary Chairperson.

AsianWeek: "Welcome to Little Saigon and the 5th Annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration"

Written by Angela Pang

The largest gathering of Asian Pacific Americans in the nation is back and bigger than ever, featuring Asian American artists, DJs, martial arts, j-cars, a Muay Thai kickboxing ring, diverse food, a karaoke contest, arts and crafts, anime, free hepatitis B screenings and more! New features this year include an Asian Heritage Street Celebration Best Dance Crew Contest and carnival rides and games for children.

The 5th annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration will be held Saturday, May 16, 2009, in San Francisco’s Civic Center in front of the Asian Art Museum, leading up to the Little Saigon District. Presented by California Pacific Medical Center and Subaru, the fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A celebration of all Asian and Pacific Islander cultures, the goal of the Street Celebration is to promote and foster Asian Pacific American identity by bringing together community and encouraging the sharing of differences and appreciation of diversity. In five years, the AHSC has quickly become the country’s largest assemblage of APAs, drawing over 80,000 people annually.

The AHSC returns all proceeds to various Asian communities, including newer and underserved communities like the Cambodians and Samoans, as well as more established populations. The AHSC has donated more than $50,000 to over 40 Bay Area community groups and charities, who are selected for their role in assembling diverse elements within the Asian Pacific American community. Fundraising for San Francisco public schools is another mission of the Celebration, which has created a raffle program with the goal of teaching children about community philanthropy at an early age. The AHSC provides prizes and administrative support for students and school groups to sell raffle tickets, and all proceeds are returned to participating schools.

The AHSC is the only outdoor event in the Bay Area to rotate its location each year, in order to showcase that APIs reside in all San Francisco neighborhoods. The first celebration highlighted the Japanese community in Japantown, the second showcased the Chinese on Irving Street in the Sunset District, the third year paid homage to the large Filipino community in the South of Market area, and last year returned to Japantown. This year, the fair celebrates the Vietnamese American community in Little Saigon.

“We are very excited to see the Asian Heritage Street Celebration to come to the Little Saigon Cultural & Commercial District, ” says Philip Nguyen of the Southeast Asian Community Center. ” We welcome this fair heartily, which will help promote not only Little Saigon, but also the whole Southeast Asian community of the Tenderloin, and of the city of San Francisco.”

Lan Le. of the Vietnamese Community Center of San Francisco, says he hopes the fair will raise awareness of the Vietnamese community and help kick-start the area’s many Vietnamese businesses. Le said he hopes the neighborhood will transform into a tourist attraction like Chinatown and Japantown, that visitors “must see” in The City.

San Francisco is home to the second Little Saigon in the United States, a name officially given only four years ago to the two blocks of Larkin Street between Eddy and O’Farrell. Approximately 2,000 of the city’s 13,000 Vietnamese Americans live in the Little Saigon/Tenderloin, with many arriving as refugees after the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. Vietnamese Americans have since made a home, creating schools, service centers and at least 250 businesses in the area.

To pay homage to the Vietnamese community, the San Francisco Little Saigon Gate- two eight-ton granite and marble pillars, a symbol of peace, happiness and safety for the Vietnamese that have settled here, were erected last July. They now stand at the intersection of Larkin and Eddy streets.

“It is a testament to the vision and dedication of the Vietnamese community in San Francisco that our Little Saigon is the setting of this year’s Asian Heritage Street Celebration, ” said city college board member Steve Ngo, the city’s first Vietnamese American elected official. ” What a wonderful occasion!”

Original article at www.asianweek.com

Feature Story: "Veteran Fighter Takes on Hepatitis B"

In February 2007, medical specialists told Bok Pon, commander of the American Legion Cathay Post #384, that he wouldn’t be alive today. With an estimated six months to live because of hepatitis B-induced liver cancer, Pon was determined to live life fully.

As a veteran of the Army’s highly decorated 82nd Airborne during the Vietnam War, beating the odds of survival is nothing new for Pon. At 65 years young, he attributes his longevity to a positive attitude, exercise and solid health insurance.

“When I first found out that I had hepatitis B, I was shocked,” Pon said. “It was a very emotional and upsetting experience for me and my family.”

After becoming familiar with the disparate statistics of hepatitis B, he turned his unfortunate experience into a positive awareness opportunity for the Asian American community. In addition to galvanizing efforts to establish a Chinese American veterans museum, as well as working on the issues of affordable housing and youth education at Cathay Post, Pon is also supporting the San Francisco Hep B Free Campaign.

He emphasizes that hepatitis B does not only affect health but also finances. “Because of the high cost of medicine,” Pon explains, “hepatitis B can completely destroy the financial structure of a family.”

Since being diagnosed with hepatitis B, Pon has undergone approximately $500,000 worth of medical treatments. “It’s hard for many members in our community, when they have to choose between their children’s education and their parent’s survival. It’s tough.”

Pon underwent chemotherapy earlier this year and said that it wasn’t effective. He then tried painful radiation therapy, where doctors used high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells in the affected areas. Pon compared this intense treatment to microwaving the inside of his body but added jokingly, “I told my doctors medium-well and not well-done.”

Pon is currently discussing with doctors the possibility of a liver transplant, but the odds are against him. “Liver transplants are very competitive,” Pon said. Approximately 98,137 people are on the waiting list, and there are only 10,850 available donors, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing. “If I meet the criteria and receive the government’s approval, I’ll hopefully be eligible.”

If you wish to contact Commander Bok Pon or support his efforts with donations, contact: American Legion Cathay Post #384, 1524 Carl St., San Francisco, CA 94133 or (415) 386-3544.


This article will be featured in Sing Tao Daily, World Journal and AsianWeek.com during the month of May as part of the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

Feature Story: "Promoting Prevention Through Education"

State Assemblywoman Fiona Ma admits that she knew practically nothing about hepatitis B before becoming involved in the SF Hep B Free campaign. Like many persons infected with hepatitis B, Ma never exhibited any symptoms of the disease. She was shocked when, after submitting to a routine blood test administered as part of a job application process, she learned that she is chronically infected with hepatitis B.

Ma contracted the disease from her mother via perinatal exposure, a very common means of transmission for Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. Ma’s brother later tested positive for hepatitis B as well. But their younger sister, who was born after the hepatitis B vaccine became available, is safely immune. All in Ma’s family remain healthy. And, with regular monitoring to detect signs of potential liver damage, they expect to remain so.

“I’m perfectly fine today,” she says. “But it’s one of those things that you and your doctor have to monitor very closely because this disease rarely shows symptoms until it’s too late for treatment.”

After becoming aware of the impact of hepatitis B on the Asian and Pacific Islander American community [an estimated 1 in 10 APIs is infected with chronic hepatitis B, compared to 1 in 1000 in the general population] and learning of the challenges that lack of awareness, cultural differences and language barriers present to efforts to screen, vaccinate and treat APIs for the disease, Ma set out to increase public awareness within her community.

In 2006, shortly before vacating her seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Ma wrote a resolution calling for the screening and vaccination of all API residents in San Francisco. The resolution was passed and signed into law by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom in November 2006, laying the groundwork for the San Francisco Hep B Free campaign.

As a State Assemblywoman, Ma has since written a similar bill calling for the creation of state-funded hepatitis B prevention and management pilot programs in Los Angeles and the Bay Area.

“This disease is treatable and preventable,” Ma explains. “But many people are unaware that they may be infected with hepatitis B, like I was. Through raising awareness and directing resources, we can end the disproportionate impact that the disease has on Asian Americans.”


This article will be featured in Sing Tao Daily, World Journal and AsianWeek.com during the month of May as part of the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

Feature Story: "Vietnamese American family diagnosed with Hep B"

Kate Wong never understood the extent of hepatitis B until three years ago, when her father was diagnosed with liver cancer caused by the chronic hepatitis B virus.

“It was hard to believe because he was so healthy,” said Wong. “But like the vast majority of people inflicted with this disease, it often goes undetected.”

Her father passed away earlier this year. Shortly after, Wong found medical records dating back to 1981, when the family first arrived to the U.S. from Vietnam, diagnosing her father and 5 out of 6 of his children with hepatitis B.

“We weren’t told it was infectious; we weren’t told to get our regular monitoring; we weren’t told it could eventually kill us,” recalls Wong. “My parents tucked the information away like an expired bus ticket. I was 6 at the time and had no idea.”

Twenty years later, two of Wong’s sisters developed an acute case of hepatitis B. They received treatment for extreme fatigue and jaundice and recovered. It was then that Wong was tested again, but she did not receive any information on what it meant to have the disease.

Wong hopes to educate others, so that they will not undergo the same fate. She recently became involved in the SF Hep B Free Campaign through the SF Department of Public Health, volunteering with The City’s Perinatal Hep B program, working with expectant mothers who are Hep B positive.

Wong now encourages everyone to take charge of his or her health.

“Learn as much as you can on this deadly disease,” she said. “And continue to fight until there is a cure.”


This article will be featured in Sing Tao Daily, World Journal and AsianWeek.com during the month of May as part of the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

AsianWeek: "Do you LIVERight?"

May 1, 2009

5K Run/Walk to Raise Awareness of Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer

1 in 10 Asian Americans is chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus that causes 80% of all liver cancer deaths - and 2 out of 3 don’t even know that they are infected.

San Francisco - April 27, 2009 - San Francisco’s Golden Gate National Park is once again playing host to one of the world’s only large-scale Asian American specific awareness events - LIVERight 2009. Taking place May 2nd in Lindley Meadow of Golden Gate National Park, LIVERight 2009 is a unique 5k run/walk event with a goal of raising awareness and education about the greatest health disparity between Asian Americans and the general population - hepatitis B. Responsible for up to a million annual deaths worldwide, hepatitis B, a vaccine-preventable virus, causes liver cancer and death and infects 1 out of 10 Asian and Pacific Islander Americans.

California State Majority Whip Fiona Ma, long-time ally in the fight against hepatitis B, as well as San Francisco Supervisor Carmen Chu will both be in attendance, helping to kick off the race.

The distressing realities about the prevalence of hepatitis B are being brought into a community-wide discourse, thanks to the efforts of the Asian Liver Center at Stanford University (ALC) and Answer to Cancer Foundation. Dr. Samuel So, director of the ALC, Stanford University professor and leading liver cancer and hepatitis B specialist, calls hepatitis B “the most neglected global epidemic.” Over 350 million people are chronically infected worldwide.

The event hopes to increase awareness in the general public about hepatitis B, and strongly encourage all individuals to get tested for and vaccinated against the virus. Eighty percent of all liver cancer cases are caused by hepatitis B, and most liver cancer cases are rapidly fatal. Fortunately, we have the power to completely eliminate hepatitis B - an effective vaccine was developed over 25 years ago. However, no coherent, large-scale vaccination campaign has yet been orchestrated. The Asian Liver Center is working to fight this neglected epidemic - to bring it into the public discourse so it is no longer neglected, and to work towards eradication so it is no longer an epidemic. Through community education and screening events, the ALC works to protect healthy individuals and identify infected individuals. “One-third of the Chinese population is 19 or under, so you potentially have 350 million unprotected kids,” So declares. “You have to protect the kids.”

LIVERight 2009 is on May 2nd, 2009, from 9am to 12pm, in Lindley Meadow in Golden Gate National Park.

Registration for LIVERight is now open! Families welcome! Please visit http://liver.stanford.edu for more information and to register. Advance registration is $25 for individuals, $20 for team members (a team is 5 or more individuals). Includes a free T-Shirt. Prizes and raffle items include passes to Great America, gift certificates to restaurants, and more!

About LIVERight

LIVERight is a 5K run/walk hosted by the Asian Liver Center at Stanford University and Answer to Cancer with the goal of raising awareness about hepatitis B and liver cancer. Hepatitis B causes 80% of all primary liver cancer cases, and is considered the greatest health disparity affecting the Asian/Pacific Islander demographic. As many as 1 in 10 Asian Americans and 1 in 20 of all people worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis B. Nearly 1 million infected individuals die every year. Our ultimate goal is to eradicate hepatitis B. LIVERight 2008 attracted over 600 runners and 100 volunteers, and raised over $100,000 to fight liver cancer and hepatitis B.

About the Asian Liver Center at Stanford University

The Asian Liver Center at Stanford University (ALC) is the first non-profit organization in the United States that addresses the high incidence of hepatitis B and liver cancer in Asians and Asian Americans. Founded in 1996, the center uses a three-pronged approach towards fighting hepatitis B through outreach & education, advocacy and research. The Asian Liver Center spearheads educational outreach and advocacy efforts in the areas of hepatitis B and liver cancer prevention and treatment, serves as a resource for both the general public and health practitioners, and implements clinical and research programs.

If you would like more information about hepatitis B, the Jade Ribbon Campaign, or the Asian Liver Center at Stanford University, please visit http://liver.stanford.edu.

About Answer to Cancer Foundation

The Answer to Cancer run was founded by Adrian Elkins, a 20-year old student at Southern Oregon University who was diagnosed with liver cancer in October 2002. Adrian passed away only eight days after the first annual Answer to Cancer Race on August 11, 2003.

The Answer to Cancer Foundation was created to

1) provide funding and assistance to research-based cancer programs and institutions as well as educationally-focused cancer programs, associations and organizations; 2) garner awareness and public focus on the necessity for cancer research, trials and experiments in developing treatments and an eventually finding a cure for cancer; and, 3) educate the public about screening, high-risk factors and potential preventable measures associated with primary liver cancer.

AsianWeek: "Web Site Raises Money for Hep B"

December 30, 2008

Online shoppers can now purchase items and donate to S.F. Hep B Free, all in one click of a mouse at the Web site wearehepatitis.com.

The site falls under the umbrella organization wearecharities.com, a new shopping Web site that serves a multitude of non-profit organizations.

Husband and wife founders Gail and Stephen Webb build a website for each participating non-profit and its charity. Each time a web visitor clicks on a product to view, purchase or compare pricing in the shopping section of the site, the charity will earn proceeds. The success of the site is, however, contingent upon the organization’s ability to market it to its supporters.

Wearecharities.com earns profits only when consumers click on the ads on the sides of the site from Google and other partnering companies.

Whether it is fundraising for malaria treatments for Africa’s underserved communities or being active in their church, the Webbs have shared a life-long passion for philanthropy that is now being extended nationally.
The residents of Charleston, S.C., heard about the S.F. Hep B Free Campaign in early 2008 after a friend introduced them to Assemblywoman Fiona Ma during their visit to the Bay Area.

Upon hearing her passion and dedication to raising awareness for hepatitis B, Stephen and Gail knew that they wanted to do what they could to support the cause.

“It was overwhelming and inspiring to see her championing a cause so often and publicly,” said Stephen in his southern drawl. “We immediately knew we wanted to help.”

“On a personal level, this project was very important to us,” Gail said. “One of our family members has hepatitis C and has undergone chemotherapy.”

The Webbs are also working with the Asian Pacific Islander Wellness Center to create a fundraising Web site for HIV.

–
Non-profits interested in participating can email info@wearecharities.com.

Written by Angela Pang · Filed Under San Francisco Hep B Update

AsianWeek: "National Leaders for Hep B Free"

By Bill Picture
October 31, 2008

As representative for the 15th Congressional District of Calif., Mike Honda is well aware of the cost that hepatitis B has on the nation as a result of expensive treatments for liver cancer, hard-to-come-by liver transplants, and the lost productivity to the economy as the disease hits working people in the prime of their careers.

At the same time, because the HBV vaccine is so effective it is being hailed as the “anti-liver cancer vaccine,” Honda is also confident that the fight against hepatitis B can be won.

“We’re talking about a disease that is preventable and treatable if it’s diagnosed in its early stages,” Honda says. “This is about preventing human suffering.”

Recognizing that the tools necessary to stop the spread of hepatitis B and prevent HBV-related deaths were already at doctors’ disposal if only organized properly, Honda embarked on a crusade to increase awareness of the disease among APIs, for whom hepatitis B and liver cancer are the greatest health disparity.

Honda’s first attempt to break the silence surrounding the disease happened in 2006, when the congressman submitted to a hepatitis B test at a public- screening day held in San Francisco.

In 2007, Honda and fellow congressmen from New York and Pennsylvania introduced a resolution to support the very first National Hepatitis B Awareness Week. The program’s goal was to educate communities across the nation about hepatitis B and promote the benefits of screening, vaccination and early treatment.

“We must educate ourselves and our loved ones about this devastating disease,” Honda explains. “Testing and vaccination are critical to stemming the tide of this health crisis. And treatments are available. Hepatitis B diagnosis does not have to be a death sentence.”

Later that year, Honda co-wrote a bill calling for the development of a national plan for the prevention, control and medical management of hepatitis B. The bill, the first ever to address hepatitis B at the national level, sought to boost immunization rates nationwide and increase federal funding for hepatitis B research, as well as provide funding for the education of high-risk populations, including Asian Americans.

State Rep. Fiona Ma admits that she knew practically nothing about hepatitis B before becoming involved in the SF Hep B Free campaign.

Like many people infected with the virus, Ma never exhibited any symptoms of the disease. She was shocked when, after submitting to a routine blood test administered as part of a job application process, she learned that she is chronically infected with hepatitis B.

Ma contracted the disease from her mother via perinatal exposure, a very common means of transmission for Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. Ma’s brother later tested positive for hepatitis B as well. But their younger sister, who was born after the hepatitis B vaccine became available, was safely immune. All in Ma’s family remain healthy, and with regular monitoring to detect signs of potential liver damage, they expect to remain so.

“I’m perfectly fine today,” Ma says. “But it’s one of those things that you and your doctor have to monitor very closely because this disease rarely shows symptoms until it’s too late for treatment.”

Ma became aware of the impact of hepatitis B on the Asian and Pacific Islander American community: An estimated one in 10 APIs is infected with chronic hepatitis B, compared to one out of 1000 in the general population. After learning of the challenges that lack of awareness, cultural differences and language barriers present in efforts to screen, vaccinate and treat APIs for the disease, Ma set out to increase public awareness within her community.

In 2006, shortly before vacating her seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Ma wrote a resolution calling for the screening and vaccination of all API residents in San Francisco. The resolution was passed and signed into law by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom in Nov. 2006, laying the groundwork for the San Francisco Hep B Free campaign.

As a state assemblywoman, Ma has since written a similar bill calling for the creation of state-funded pilot programs for hepatitis B prevention and management in Los Angeles and the S.F. Bay Area.

“This disease is treatable and preventable,” Ma explains. “But many people are unaware that they may be infected with hepatitis B, like I was. Through raising awareness and directing resources, we can end the disproportionate impact that the disease has on Asian Americans.”

AsianWeek: "CDC Announces New Testing Recommendations"

September 23, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO - With the S.F. Hep B Free’s “B a Hero” ad encouraging people to get tested for the disease as a backdrop, members of the campaign joined Dr. John Ward, director of Viral Hepatology for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, at the Chinatown Public Health Center on Sept. 18 to announce the CDC’s new treatment recommendations.

The national recommendations, primarily for health care providers, are designed to increase routine testing in the United States for chronic hepatitis B, a major cause of liver disease and liver cancer.

The new testing recommendations reinforce prior recommendations to test all pregnant women, infants born to infected mothers, household contacts, sex partners of infected individuals and people with HIV. Along with these groups, testing is now recommended for persons with abnormal liver function tests and who require chemotherapy, men who have sex with men and drug users who use injections, a group that has a higher prevalence rate of chronic HBV infection than the general U.S. population. Individuals born in Asia, Africa and other geographic regions are also recommended to get tested; these groups have a 2 percent or higher prevalence of chronic HBV.

Ward said these new recommendations are critical to identifying people who are living with the disease.

“Testing is the first step to identify infected persons so that they can receive lifesaving care and treatment, which break the cycle of transmission, slow disease progression and prevent deaths from liver cancer,” said Ward.

The CDC advises that those already infected with the disease seek a specialist for ongoing monitoring and medical care. Healthcare providers are directed to offer culturally sensitive ongoing patient education and to begin lifelong monitoring for the progression of liver disease.

With jade ribbon pins on their lapels, supporters in attendance included Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting, Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Franchise Lead of Hepatolgy Allan Brooks, the Chinatown Public Health Center’s Albert Yu and San Francisco Department of Public Health’s Director Dr. Mitch Katz, who sported the campaign’s royal blue “B a Hero” wristband.

“The S.F. Hep B Free campaign has done a great job of spreading awareness of this disease,” said Ma, a chronic hepatitis B carrier. “If you have not been screened, go out and do so today.”

For more information about hepatitis B, visit cdc.gov/hepatitis. For more about the S.F. Hep B Free campaign sfhepbfree.org.