My name is Kelly O’Dell.
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
Proclamation. Thank you to Mayor Samuel Sullivan for his support!
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.", This year 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!
2009's event now in the planning! For registration click Events
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.
it is very important to me that everyone understands that hepccanada is not an organization, just one very dedicated individual.
If anyone is interested in being involved or needs help with event planning please contact me at
kelly@hepccanada.comDr. 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 late 2009.
For more information about how you can get involved or how to support this concert, contact us!
Dr Erb's presents at the First Annual World Hepatitis Day Event in Vancouver,
click here for the powerpoint presentation.
