I started my Hepatitis Awareness Journey in May 2008 by asking our Honourable Mayor Sam Sullivan to declare a proclamation for Vancouver to have a World Hepatitis Day. Vancouver was the first city in Canada to declare May 19th as World Hepatitis Awareness Day, click view the original Proclamation. Thank you to Mayor Samuel Sullivan for his support! Since the initial proclamation, I am proud to announce that Mayor Gregor Robertson has continued the support for World Hepatitis Day by issuing proclamations in both 2009 and 2010.
As a person who has lived with Hepatitis C for many years and faced its very difficult challenges, I have vowed to do all I can to raise awareness, set up support and services and ensure that all those affected by Hepatitis C can access quality care and live their lives free from discrimination and stigma!
I had hoped to have a "national charity" but to date have not found enough other committed individuals to help with all the necessary work. For now I will continue doing all I can on my own.
I am proud to be the organizer of "Canada's Annual World Hepatitis Awareness Day Celebration.", 2008 being the first, held on May 20th, at Rossini's in Vancouver, With a live performance by the band DayJob (www.hepccanada.com/dayjob)
I am very grateful to all the health care professionals who attended and spoke. Thank you!
I plan to work as hard as possible to organize various events and collect multiple media stories involving all those involved with hepatitis: patients, nurses, doctors, and all vested organizations to put together events geared at education about Hepatitis C.
If anyone is interested in being involved or needs help with event planning please contact me at kelly@hepccanada.com
Events:
Hep C Canada is proud to support and partner on the following events in 2010:
University of British Columbia/Hep C Canada
There will be a celebration of hepatitis C awareness at the Hepatitis C Treatment Support Group Clinics. Patients who have completed hepatitis C treatment, are currently on treatment, or are preparing for treatment will be dressed in t-shirts and will be manning booths, giving out information, quizzes and prizes. The UBC team is working with Hep C Canada to organize these activities, at various clinics throughout the city including Pender Clinic and Downtown Infectious Diseases Clinic , North Addictions.
We will all partner this year to do a first ever TESTING FAIR taking "the Living For A Change Team" to Vandu. A HepCCanada Goal since WHD 2009: Bringing testing, supports, and services to the commnity.
When: May 19th Pender Clinic
When May 20th North Addictions When May 26th Vandu Testing fair
HepC Canada, HepC BC, South Fraser Community Services
This is the first WHD in Surrey, BC. The purpose of our event is to aid in Hep C prevention, community education and awareness of the impact Hep C & B has on our community. The WHD event will provide a mix of education and entertainment. There will be two speakers or more from our medical community to discuss various aspects of Hepatitis, from prevention and healthy living to new treatment options. Additionally, local media have been invited along with MMPs and the local MP. Hep C BC has recently opened a new office at the SFCSS, where their volunteers are available a minimum of two days a week. This is their first WHD event and they hope it will increase hepatitis awareness and increase their exposure.
When: May 19th
Where: Surrey, BC
10697 135A street, Surrey Bc
3pm -6pm
I wish to thank Honorable Mayor Gregor Robertson for issuing a Proclamation for World Hepatitis Day 2010 - to be held on May 19th. Thank you for your continued support!
I wish to thank Honorable Mayor Gregor Robertson for issuing a Proclamation for World Hepatitis Day 2009!
Global World Awareness Concert for Hapatitis C:
Momentum is building for the Global World Awareness Concert for Hepatitis C!
Dr. Siegfried Erb (left), Clinical Associate Professor of Gastroenterology, accompanies Kelly O'Dell to see Mayor Sam Sullivan (right) to discuss Vancouver's hosting of Kelly's "Dream of a Global World Awarenes Concert for Hepatitis C".
Kelly is proud to have the support of Dr. Erb concerning the need for global awareness with his submission of medical facts about Hepatitis as a growing epidemic. Kelly's hope is for the concert to take place in Vancouver 2010.
For more information about how you can get involved or how to support this concert, contact us!
News:
Kelly O'Dell was very honored to thank Sir Bob Geldof for lending his voice to our very important cause.
Thank you Bob Geldof!
Kathy Tomlinson at CBC News covers the Hep C Epidemic:
Dr. John Farley, right, speaks with hepatitis C patients whose requests for anti-viral drug coverage have been turned down by Pharmacare. (CBC)
Vancouver was the first city in Canada to declare May 19th as World Hepatitis Awareness Day, click view the Proclamation. Thank you to Mayor Samuel Sullivan for his support!
Dr Erb's presents at the First Annual World Hepatitis Day Event in Vancouver, click here for the powerpoint presentation.
World Hepatitis Awareness Day 2009:
Canada's Second Annual World Hepatitis Day celebration held May 19th, 2009 at Vancouver City Hall!
My Heartfelt thanks to the Honourable Mayor Robertson and his Staff for their support with World Hepatitis day this year!
Thank you for joining us as we, along with Global Music Group Canada, Seven Second Chase, launched the “Living for a Change” initiative - in effort to make Vancouver, British Columbia and Canada more aware of these diseases, their transmission and the individuals affected by them.
We are Proud to announce Ms Michelle Sykes won as "Runner Up" in the poster design competition! We were successful getting our poster up in over 100 businesses this year! Great start to the Living For A Change Campaign.
Thank you to all the businesses that supported this initiative!
