Discoverer of Hepatitis B Virus & Developer of Hepatitis B Vaccine
SAN FRANCISCO (August 30, 2010) –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 http://sfhepbfree.org/gala/.
San Francisco’s Hep B Free has created an innovative ecosystem which includes over 50 private and public organizations whose goal is to turn San Francisco into the first hepatitis B city nationwide. Their successful public health model has inspired a national Hep B Free movement from coast to coast.
The 37th Annual Award will be bestowed by the Chinese Hospital in recognition of Dr. Blumberg’s contribution to improving the health of Asians. The night's event is presented by SF Hep B Free and Chinese Hospital, and produced by the AsianWeek Foundation. Past notable awardees include Dr. Samuel So, Director, Asian Liver Center at Stanford University, Dr. David Ho, Director of the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center and Dr. James Y. Suen, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology, University of Arkansas & President Bill Clinton’s personal physician.
“As one of the first institutions in the U.S, to provide community screenings for Hepatitis B, honoring Dr. Blumberg is particularly meaningful for us,” said Dr. Joseph Woo, Chief of Staff, Chinese Hospital. “Without Dr. Blumberg’s extraordinary discovery, we would not have been able to help our community and save lives.”
Blumberg received the 1976 Nobel Prize in medicine for his discovery of the Hepatitis B Virus, and in the development of the first vaccine to fight Hepatitis B. His research has had a major impact on worldwide public health. Blumberg is a professor of medicine and anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania and Distinguished Scientist at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. More recently, he has been involved in research at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, where he is director of the NASA Astrobiology Institute, which studies the origin, evolution, distribution and future of life in the universe.
“The means are available to prevent and treat Hepatitis B Virus infection,” 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, Hep B Free Campaign in San Francisco, along with others such as those of the Hepatitis B Foundation in Pennsylvania and other Hep B free initiatives across the nation are making the public aware of the problem and leading the efforts to solve it.”
Recently, the World Health Organization passed a resolution to mark World Hepatitis Day on July 28, Blumberg’s birthday.
About Hepatitis B (source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
There are more than 43,000 new Hepatitis B cases in United States each year, with the greatest incidence among adults between ages 19–49 years old.Hepatitis B is one of the leading health disparities between Asians and non-Hispanic whites.Among the Asian population the predominant mode of transmission is from infected mother to child during the birthing process. Hepatitis B can also be spread through unprotected sex and shared needles.There is a safe and effective vaccine to protect against infection from Hepatitis B.
About Chinese Hospital
Chinese Hospital, a community-owned, not-for-profit organization, exists primarily to deliver quality health care in a cost effective way, responsive to the community's ethnic and cultural uniqueness. The hospital provides access to health care and acceptability to all socioeconomic levels. Chinese Hospital is governed by a voluntary Board of Trustees, broadly representative of the community, and strives to assume a leadership role in all health matters. For more info, go to http://www.chinesehospital-sf.org.
About AsianWeek Foundation
AsianWeek Foundationis 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. AWF encourages the sharing of differences and appreciation of diversity, and works to strengthen relations between all Asian and Pacific Islander cultures, newer and older generations of Asian Pacific Americans, and Asians and non-Asians.
About San Francisco Hep B Free
San Francisco Hep B Free is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between city government, private healthcare community organizations and businesses. The campaign’s goal is to make San Francisco Hepatitis B-free by (1) creating public and healthcare provider awareness about the importance of testing & vaccinating Asian and Pacific Islanders for Hepatitis B; (2) promoting routine Hepatitis B screenings and vaccinations within the primary care medical community; and (3) facilitating access to treatment for chronically infected individuals. The SF Hep B Free Steering Committee is made up of the San Francisco Department of Public Health, the Asian Liver Center at Stanford University and the Asian Week Foundation. For more info, please go to www.sfhepbfree.org.
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Media Contact:
Grace Niwa, Niwa Public Relations
(617) 299-9848
grace@niwapr.com
Showing posts with label Partners: Chinese Hospital. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Partners: Chinese Hospital. Show all posts
Monday, August 30, 2010
Thursday, October 15, 2009
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."
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."
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
SF Chronicle: "Killers Among Us"
San Francisco - help us make it hep B free now
Awareness campaigns for health issues and social causes are as numerous as tourists at Fisherman's Wharf, and it's hard not to feel awareness campaign fatigue. But one of them has special meaning to me as a California official, an Asian American and a person living with chronic Hepatitis B. May is Hepatitis B awareness month, shining the light on a condition that affects 2 million Americans.Chronic hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus, a pathogen that is up to 100 times more easily transmitted than HIV. The disease is often called a "silent killer" because it can cause liver cancer, cirrhosis or liver failure without producing symptoms. This may be one reason the Bay Area has the highest liver cancer rate in the nation.
As many as 1 in 10 Asian/Pacific Islanders in America, particularly those from China, Korea and Vietnam, are chronically infected with HBV. This disproportionate impact reflects the high prevalence of the disease in Asia, where HBV immunization is not yet standard practice.
My own experience is typical: I contracted Hepatitis B at birth from my mother, who was born in China, but didn't discover this until I tried to give blood at the age of 22.
In a recent study conducted here in San Francisco, a shocking two-thirds of Asian Americans with chronic Hepatitis B were not aware they were infected. Clearly, we need to ramp up screening efforts in the city, and I am proud to support the "San Francisco Hep B Free" campaign in its unprecedented effort to screen and vaccinate all at risk. Routine screening and vaccination is a critical first step, but there is much more we can do to address HBV, including educating ourselves about this disease.
HBV was once thought only to affect people who had unprotected sex or shared needles. Today we know better - not least is the fact that the virus is often passed from mother to child at birth.
We can also encourage those who are infected to seek treatment. While there is no cure for chronic Hepatitis B, the number of available treatments has grown steadily in recent years. Today, convenient once-a-day medications can help to combat the disease, potentially preventing fatal liver damage. Finally, more should be done to ensure that all people who need treatment actually get it, because the direct and indirect financial burden of chronic Hepatitis in the United States reaches $1 billion annually.
In January 2008, the California Assembly passed Assembly Bill 158, legislation that is vital to increasing access to quality health care for Californians living with HBV. The bill is in the state Senate for approval and I urge its speedy ratification.
This month is an important opportunity to raise awareness of a deadly, but preventable disease. We can wipe out this disease as long as people know to get vaccinated and we treat those already infected. However, it will take more than an awareness month to stop the devastating impact of chronic Hepatitis B. Until viral hepatitis is broadly recognized as a serious public health concern, it will continue to threaten the health of Americans in San Francisco and across the United States.
Free hepatitis B virus screening
One day only
Where: Asian Heritage Street Celebration (Post St. from Laguna to Webster), San Francisco
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, May 17
Regularly scheduled free screening
Where: Asian Pacific Wellness Center, 730 Polk St., 4th floor. Call (415) 292-3400 for appointment.
When: No fee on Wednesdays and Fridays, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., or on the first Saturday of the month, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion, 2330 Post St, 1st floor. (415) 885-3580.
When: No fee on the first Saturday of each month, 9 a.m. to noon.
Regularly scheduled sliding-scale fee
Where: Chinese Hospital, 845 Jackson St., 1st floor, laboratory. (415) 677-2303.
When: Monday through Saturday, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
To learn more about San Francisco's efforts, please visit www.sfhepbfree.org and get tested today.
Fiona Ma, a Democrat, represents San Francisco in the state Assembly and is the Assembly majority whip. E-mail comments to forum@sfchronicle.com.
This article appeared on page B - 7 of the San Francisco Chronicle
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/12/EDCI10L2TK.DTL#ixzz0Vq1rFPMm
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Friday, May 5, 2006
Niwa Public Relations: "San Francisco's Asian Health Organizations Unite To Promote Awareness of Hepatitis B for Bay Area's Asian Pacific Islander American Community During National Hepatitis B Awareness Month"
For more information, contact:
Grace Niwa, Niwa Public Relations
(508) 238-6547
grace@niwapr.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Photos available upon request
SAN FRANCISCO’S ASIAN HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS UNITE
TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF HEPATITIS B FOR
BAY AREA’S ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICAN COMMUNITY
DURING NATIONAL HEPATITIS B AWARENESS MONTH
Free Hepatitis B Screenings will be provided by the Asian Liver Center
at Stanford University at the Asian Heritage Street Celebration on
Saturday, May 20th, 2006
2151 Irving Street, Suite 205 from 11 am to 4pm
Sunset District of San Francisco, CA
San Francisco, CA (May 5, 2006) –San Francisco’s Asian Health organizations came together to promote awareness of the prevalence of hepatitis B and the need for testing in San Francisco’s Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) community during National Hepatitis B Awareness Month and Asian Pacific Heritage Month in May. Assemblymember Mark Leno; Fiona Ma, San Francisco Board of Supervisors; Dr. Mitch Katz, Director of Health, City and County of San Francisco; Dr. Ho Luong Tran, President and CEO, Asian Pacific Islander American Health Forum; Dr. Samuel So, Director, Asian Liver Center at Stanford University and James Fang, Co-Chair, Asian Heritage Street Celebration supported the effort at a press conference at City Hall today. Fiona Ma presented a Proclamation to Dr. Samuel So on behalf of Mayor Gavin Newsom to declare the week of May 14-20 as “Hepatitis B Awareness Week in San Francisco.”
The Asian Liver Center at Stanford University announced they would provide free hepatitis B screenings for San Francisco’s APIA community during the Asian Heritage Street Celebration on Saturday, May 20th at 2151 Irving Street, Suite 205 from 11 am to 4pm located in the Sunset District of San Francisco. Partners in this united effort include San Francisco’s Department of Public Health, the Chinese Hospital, the API Wellness Center, the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations and the APIA Health Forum.
Hepatitis B is the most common serious liver infection in the world caused by the hepatitis B virus that attacks the liver and can cause liver cancer. It is more common among APIA’s than other racial or ethnic groups in the U.S. According to the Asian Liver Center at Stanford University, an estimated 1 in 10 foreign born APIAs is chronically infected with hepatitis B, compared to 1 in 1000 Caucasian Americans. Many are not aware they have been infected, since there are usually no symptoms. Without appropriate monitoring or treatment, 1 in 4 of these chronically infected individuals will die from liver cancer or liver failure. Liver cancer, largely caused by hepatitis B, is the second leading cause of cancer death for APIA men living in the U.S.
“San Francisco is one of the major U.S. cities where chronic hepatitis B is a serious health problem due to our large Asian Pacific Islander American population,” said Mayor Gavin Newsom. “The free hepatitis B screenings that the Asian Liver Center will be conducting at this year’s Asian Heritage Street Celebration are a great way to educate and raise awareness about this major health threat to our community.”
“There are an estimated 25,000 APIAs living in the city of San Francisco with chronic hepatitis B, and an additional 100,000 who are unprotected,” said Dr. Samuel So, Director, Asian Liver Center at Stanford University. “There’s a real need for increased hepatitis B testing and vaccination in the APIA community. More than half of the deaths from hepatitis B are from our community, yet the seriousness of this disease is underappreciated, underdiagnosed, and undertreated. We are grateful for the support of our community partners for promoting awareness and prevention of this silent epidemic.”
“We are very pleased to see San Francisco’s Asian Health organizations unite for this important cause,” said James Fang, Co-Chair, Asian Heritage Street Celebration. “We are encouraging all Asian Americans and their family members to get screened at this year’s festival.”
About The Asian Liver Center at Stanford University
The Asian Liver Center at Stanford University is the only non-profit organization in the United States that addresses the high incidence of hepatitis B and liver cancer in Asians andAsian Americans. Founded in 1996, the ALC has grown to become a national and international leader in fighting this global epidemic through outreach, education, and research. For more information, visit http://liver.stanford.edu.
About the Asian Heritage Street Celebration
The Asian Heritage Street Celebration is organized by the AsianWeek Foundation, in cooperation with the Mayor’s APA Heritage Committee and over 51 organizations in the Asian American community. The AsianWeek Foundation is a non-profit 501(c) 3 committed to developing the Voices of Asian America. All proceeds from the Celebration will be donated to local and national charities. For more information, visit www.asianfairsf.com.
Grace Niwa, Niwa Public Relations
(508) 238-6547
grace@niwapr.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Photos available upon request
SAN FRANCISCO’S ASIAN HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS UNITE
TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF HEPATITIS B FOR
BAY AREA’S ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICAN COMMUNITY
DURING NATIONAL HEPATITIS B AWARENESS MONTH
Free Hepatitis B Screenings will be provided by the Asian Liver Center
at Stanford University at the Asian Heritage Street Celebration on
Saturday, May 20th, 2006
2151 Irving Street, Suite 205 from 11 am to 4pm
Sunset District of San Francisco, CA
San Francisco, CA (May 5, 2006) –San Francisco’s Asian Health organizations came together to promote awareness of the prevalence of hepatitis B and the need for testing in San Francisco’s Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) community during National Hepatitis B Awareness Month and Asian Pacific Heritage Month in May. Assemblymember Mark Leno; Fiona Ma, San Francisco Board of Supervisors; Dr. Mitch Katz, Director of Health, City and County of San Francisco; Dr. Ho Luong Tran, President and CEO, Asian Pacific Islander American Health Forum; Dr. Samuel So, Director, Asian Liver Center at Stanford University and James Fang, Co-Chair, Asian Heritage Street Celebration supported the effort at a press conference at City Hall today. Fiona Ma presented a Proclamation to Dr. Samuel So on behalf of Mayor Gavin Newsom to declare the week of May 14-20 as “Hepatitis B Awareness Week in San Francisco.”
The Asian Liver Center at Stanford University announced they would provide free hepatitis B screenings for San Francisco’s APIA community during the Asian Heritage Street Celebration on Saturday, May 20th at 2151 Irving Street, Suite 205 from 11 am to 4pm located in the Sunset District of San Francisco. Partners in this united effort include San Francisco’s Department of Public Health, the Chinese Hospital, the API Wellness Center, the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations and the APIA Health Forum.
Hepatitis B is the most common serious liver infection in the world caused by the hepatitis B virus that attacks the liver and can cause liver cancer. It is more common among APIA’s than other racial or ethnic groups in the U.S. According to the Asian Liver Center at Stanford University, an estimated 1 in 10 foreign born APIAs is chronically infected with hepatitis B, compared to 1 in 1000 Caucasian Americans. Many are not aware they have been infected, since there are usually no symptoms. Without appropriate monitoring or treatment, 1 in 4 of these chronically infected individuals will die from liver cancer or liver failure. Liver cancer, largely caused by hepatitis B, is the second leading cause of cancer death for APIA men living in the U.S.
“San Francisco is one of the major U.S. cities where chronic hepatitis B is a serious health problem due to our large Asian Pacific Islander American population,” said Mayor Gavin Newsom. “The free hepatitis B screenings that the Asian Liver Center will be conducting at this year’s Asian Heritage Street Celebration are a great way to educate and raise awareness about this major health threat to our community.”
“There are an estimated 25,000 APIAs living in the city of San Francisco with chronic hepatitis B, and an additional 100,000 who are unprotected,” said Dr. Samuel So, Director, Asian Liver Center at Stanford University. “There’s a real need for increased hepatitis B testing and vaccination in the APIA community. More than half of the deaths from hepatitis B are from our community, yet the seriousness of this disease is underappreciated, underdiagnosed, and undertreated. We are grateful for the support of our community partners for promoting awareness and prevention of this silent epidemic.”
“We are very pleased to see San Francisco’s Asian Health organizations unite for this important cause,” said James Fang, Co-Chair, Asian Heritage Street Celebration. “We are encouraging all Asian Americans and their family members to get screened at this year’s festival.”
About The Asian Liver Center at Stanford University
The Asian Liver Center at Stanford University is the only non-profit organization in the United States that addresses the high incidence of hepatitis B and liver cancer in Asians andAsian Americans. Founded in 1996, the ALC has grown to become a national and international leader in fighting this global epidemic through outreach, education, and research. For more information, visit http://liver.stanford.edu.
About the Asian Heritage Street Celebration
The Asian Heritage Street Celebration is organized by the AsianWeek Foundation, in cooperation with the Mayor’s APA Heritage Committee and over 51 organizations in the Asian American community. The AsianWeek Foundation is a non-profit 501(c) 3 committed to developing the Voices of Asian America. All proceeds from the Celebration will be donated to local and national charities. For more information, visit www.asianfairsf.com.
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