Natural Treatments may help with
hepatitis C
by Dr. Zoltan P. Rona
Hepatitis C is a serious inflammatory liver disease caused by a
virus acquired from infected blood.
About 60 per cent of the cases are thought to be contracted
through intravenous drug use, blood transfusions, sexual contact
or by accidental perforation of the skin with a contaminated
needle. In 40 percent of the cases, the source of the infection
is unknown.
At least 20,000 Canadians acquired hepatitis C thanks to the less
than competent efforts of the Canadian Red Cross and Health
Canada's Health Protection Branch (HPB), who failed to screen for
the virus in the blood supply.
The majority of victims have no symptoms, but about 50 percent
have abnormal liver function blood tests. About 10 percent to 25
per cent of the cases ultimately develop chronic liver disease
leading to cirrhosis and death. Signs and symptoms of active
disease include fever, weakness, nausea, dark urine,
light-coloured stools, abdominal discomfort and jaundice.
Conventional medical treatment of chronic hepatitis C involves
injections of interferon three times a week for six months.
Unfortunately, interferon injections have a sustained (long term)
benefit in only 25 percent of the cases.
Any liver problem, including hepatitis C, can be helped by
periodic juice fasting and a diet high in raw fruits and
vegetables and low in fats, sugar, processed foods and all animal
proteins, especially fish, shellfish, beef, pork and dairy
products.
Avoid supplementation with megadoses of vitamin A or niacin
because these can cause abnormal liver function tests in some
individuals.
Supplement instead with carotenoids found in greens, carrots and
other raw fruits and vegetables.
Artichokes should be added in liberal amounts to the diet because
they contain natural factors that protect the liver. Herbs such
as licorice, burdock, dandelion, black radish, goldenseal, green
tea, red clover and yellow dock have either anti-viral effects or
can cleanse the liver and bloodstream.
Silymarin, a flavonoid found in milk thistle, can help heal a
damaged liver and aid in its regeneration.
Curcumin, a potent anti-inflammatory yellow pigment found in the
herb tumeric, is equally important in reversing any liver
disease.
Since the 1950s, there have been several reports of the benefits
of supplementation or infusion of vitamin B12, folic acid, raw
liver extract and vitamin C. The basic effect of these nutrients
is to reduce the mean duration of hepatitis.
Supplementation with the bioflavonoid cianidanol (catechin) is
also effective in reducing the damage seen in hepatitis.
Other natural supplements of benefit include bifidobacteria,
coenzyme Q10, liquid chlorophyll, bovine colostrum, DMG
(dimethylglycine), N-acetyl-cysteine, and the amino acids
L-methionine and L-cysteine.
Dosages for all these remedies depend on individual patient
tolerance and disease severity. Supervision by a natural health
care physician is strongly recommended.
Dr. Zoltan Rona is a general practitioner with interests in
nutritional and preventive medicine in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Permission granted by author to Smilin' Sandi, on 7/15/98, for
inclusion of article in hepc bull newsletter.
For further information regarding alternative therapies for HCV,
check online at “Natural Interferon Boosters”
http://www.wwonline.com/rona/natur.htm
“Natural Treatments may help with hepatitis C” article
can be found online at “Sandi's Crusade Against Hepatitis
C” http://webhome.idirect.com/~dusanm/smking/index.htm
Smilin' Sandi, smking@idirect.ca, ICQ UIN: 5259509
Will Canadian Hepatitis C Patients be
Denied Access to a Potentially Superior Combination Therapy like
Their American Neighbours?
by Craig B.
This article is intended to provide hepatitis C patients with
information on recent developments in treatment. The research was
done by members of the Windsor Hepatitis C Support Group.
The April 98 issue of Hepatology contained an article by Dr.
Jenny Heathcote (from the University Of Toronto and a physician
of mine in the past) and others titled “Retreatment of
chronic hepatitis C with consensus interferon.” Consensus
interferon (the brand name is Infergen, by Amgen) was used in
this trial to treat patients who had relapsed after one course of
Interferon therapy or had not responded to Interferon therapy in
the first Place. The researchers reported that when they treated
patients who had relapsed after previous treatment with 15
micrograms of consensus interferon for 48 weeks, they managed to
get a sustained virologic response in 58% of these patients. This
response rate is the highest ever seen when treating relapsers.
It is necessary to compare this sustained response rate with
those seen in other studies that treated relapsers with other
interferons.
The National Institutes of Health in the US held a development
conference on the management of hepatitis C in March/97 and has
published the proceedings and findings. In a chapter called
“Retreatment with Interferon,” it did an analysis of
the published literature in this area and found overall that only
28% of the patients retreated with other interferons develop a
sustained biochemical response. Keep in mind that a biochemical
response is not as good an indicator of cure as a virologic
response-the measure used in the consensus interferon study.
The combination of interferon alpha 2b (brand name IntronA - made
by Schering Plough) plus ribavirin (brand name Rebetol), also a
Schering product, has been tested in hepatitis patients. The
results of a study using this combination in relapsers showed a
49% sustained virologic response after 6 months of therapy versus
a response rate of only 5% when using IntronA alone. The side
effects of this combination were much more toxic than using any
interferon alone. These results were reported at the American
Association for the Study of the Liver Disease (AASLD) conference
by Dr. Gary Davis, in 1997. Based on this study the FDA in the US
has in the last month given Schering approval to market this
combination and the company has called it Rebetron.
Here is the problem. Schering will not sell ribavirin (Rebetol)
alone but only as part of a combination pack (Rebetron) which
includes their interferon, IntronA. This means that patients in
the US are not able to use consensus interferon (which is FDA
approved in the US) in combination with ribavirin unless they pay
for the combo pack, throw away the IntronA, and buy consensus
interferon separately-a very expensive way of doing things. In
Canada, neither the combo (Rebetron) nor consensus interferon
(Infergen) have yet been approved by the Health Protection
Branch, but I assume the approvals will be the same as in the US.
If this happens Canadian hepatitis C patients and their doctors
will not be able to choose the interferon they want to use in
combo with ribavirin.
Consensus interferon has demonstrated that it is a superior
interferon in other ways as well. In Dr. Heathcote's study they
treated patients who did not respond to a first course of
interferon therapy with 15 micrograms of consensus interferon.
The published data says that retreating non-responders with other
interferons does not work-the response rates are around 0% (this
was reported at the NIH Conference). The consensus interferon
study showed a 13% sustained response rate in this difficult to
treat group of patients. Consensus interferon has also proven
that it works better than IntronA in patients with a high
hepatitis viral load. This was demonstrated in an earlier study
where Dr. Heathcote was one of the researchers. This study was
started in 1992 and used only 9 micrograms of consensus
interferon and only used it for 6 months since that was how long
physicians treated patients for at that time. However the drug
still showed that it could cure patients that IntronA could not.
What about patients who have never been treated with interferon
before? The combination of IntronA and ribavirin has been tested
in this group and Schering reported at The Digestive Diseases
Week Conference in New Orleans this May that the response rates
are far superior to those seen using IntronA alone.
I think that combination therapy of ribavirin plus an interferon
is probably the most effective therapy for untreated patients.
The interferon used in the combination should be the interferon
that shows the best response. Is it fair that patients and
doctors be forced to use a particular interferon in combination
with ribavirin? Shouldn't we be free to make that choice based on
the published evidence, instead of being forced into a decision?
I have also discovered that Amgen Canada has an emergency drug
release program where physicians can get consensus interferon for
their patients at NO COST.
Finally, we gathered a lot of information on this subject, but
did not include it in this article. We have a comprehensive
package available, and if any would like a copy of that, you may
call Craig @ (519) 252-9399, or Janice @ (519) 735-7146.
Herbs for Specific HCV Symptoms
(Ed. Note: See the next column for warnings.)
BID - twice a day. TID - three times a day. QID - four times a
day.
Anxiolytics (Anti-anxiety)
1. Valerian
2. Chamomile
3. Hops
4. Kava Kava - muscle relaxant, anticonvulsant, and analgesic
properties.
5. Korean, Chinese, and Indian medicine including the plants
centella asiatica, radix peoniae alba, radix polygalae, and radix
platycondi.
6. Panax Ginseng
7. Siberian Ginseng
Bruising
1. Vitamin C
2. Grape Seed Extract
Constipation
1. Dandelion root - 200-500 mg
2. Aloe Vera
Depression
1. St. John's Wort has the ability to inhibit monoamine oxidase
(MAO), but it has also been demonstrated to inhibit the reuptake
of serotonin. The dosage from a standard 0.3% hypericin extract
is 300 mg taken 3 times daily. A gradual escalation should be
followed - one capsule for 2 or 3 days, then, two capsules, then
three.
The St. John's Brand Transdermal Patch (R) is an adhesive
delivery system that releases St. John's Wort, enabling users to
benefit from the constant time-released action rather than having
to remember to take three 300-mg. capsules each day. The patch
may be applied to the shoulder or the back and replaced once
every 24 hours. The St. John's Brand Transdermal Patch (R) is
waterproof, so users can shower, bathe or swim without it
affecting the patch's performance. These patches (Kira brand) are
available in London Drugs or Superstore.
2. Ginkgo Biloba - 40-80 mg TID
Diabetes
1. Dandelion - through insulin which buffers blood glucose levels
2. Garlic - hypoglycemic action
3. Ginseng - hypoglycemic action
4. Bittermelon
5. Fenugreek
6. Aloe Vera
7. Bilberry
8. Ginkgo Biloba
9. Grape Seed Extract
Diarrheal (Anti)
1. Goldenseal
2. Carob Pod Powder
Diuretic (for water retention, edema)
1. Horsetail (360 mg) - Diuretic and astringent. Detoxification
herb. Rich in silicon & calcium.
2. Dandelion leaves- 4-10g by infusion (tea).
3. Gotu Kola
Fatigue
1. Bee Pollen (450 mg) - Nutritive energy super food.
2. Ginseng, Siberian (410 mg) - For fatigue from chronic,
debilitating stress.
3. Barley Juice Powder (480 mg) - Concentrated essence of vital
young plants. Nutritious supplement that gives quick energy. High
in protein & minerals.
4. Co-enzyme Q
5. Siberian Ginseng
Immune Stimulation
1. Echinacea - immune-boosting properties,including stimulation
of phagocytosis, increased motility of leukocytes, and increased
T-lymphocyte (increased killer T cells) and interferon
production. Increased neutrophils. Increased macrophage activity.
2. Garlic
3. Mistletoe
4. Licorice
5. Panax Ginseng
6. Aloe Vera - increased macrophage activity. Increased
interferon production.
Impaired Mental Function
1. Ginkgo Biloba
2. Gotu Kola
Insomnia
1. Kava
2. Valerian
3. St. John's Wort
4. Passion Flower
5. Hops
Inflammation (Anti)
1. Tumeric (curcumin) - 400-600 mg TID curcumin or 8,000- 60,000
mg tumeric
2. Bromelain
3. Aloe Vera
4. Ginger - 2-4 grams powder or 20 grams fresh.
5. Licorice
6. Feverfew
7. Echinacea - The inhibitory activity of lipoxy genase accounts
for its anti-inflammatory activity.
8. Garlic
9. Burdock Capsules (360 mg) - Rid the body of acidic,
inflammatory pain. Blood purifier & anti-inflammatory.
10. Golden Seal (500 mg) -Effective antibiotic,
anti-inflammatory, healing tonic.
11. Yucca (490 mg) - reduces inflammation
12. La Pacho
Iron (high)
1. Gotu Kola - chelates free iron molecules.
Itching
1. Aloe Vera
Leg Cramps
1. Gotu Kola
Migraine Headaches
1. Feverfew - 0.25-0.5 mg and up to 1-2 grams for acute attack.
2. Ginger
Nausea
1. Ginger - 2-4 grams powder or 20 grams fresh
Skin
1. Oregon Grape - Cleansing infection fighter especially for skin
problems.
2. Topical St. John's Wort
Spider Nevi
1. Gotu Kola
Thymus Stimulant
1. Mistletoe
General Liver Tonics
1. Dandelion root (460 mg) - Liver & kidney tonic. Bitter
laxative, tonic, & diuretic. For liver/spleen ailments also
joint pain & eczema.
2. Milk Thistle- increases Glutathione
Liver Protection
1. Milk Thistle (Silymarin) : 70-210 mg TID. Silymarin may
stimulate certain immune functions. Promotes tissue regeneration.
2. Licorice
3. Tumeric/Curcumin
4. Panax Ginseng- increases the activity of the Kupffer cells.
Anti-virals
1. St. John's Wort
2. Garlic
3. Licorice - increased interferon production
4. Panax Ginseng - enhances activity of the reticuloendothelial
system-increased macrophage activity- increased interferon
production- increased natural killer cells.
5. Aloe vera - increased monocytes & macrophage
6. Echinacea
7. LaPacho (Pau d'Arco)
Herbs for additional IFN/Ribavirin Side Effects
Neuropathy/ Neuralgia
1. Ginkgo Biloba
2. Cayenne Pepper (capsicum)
3. Gotu Kola
Cataract/ Glaucoma/ Macular Degeneration
1. Ginkgo Biloba
2. Bilberry
3. Grape Seed Extract
Retinopathy
1. Ginkgo Biloba
2. Bilberry
Cold Sores
1. Licorice - Topical glyceyrrhetinic acid
2. Melissa Officinalis- high lysine content- Herpilyn product
available in US
Canker Sores
1. Licorice - 200 mg dissolved in 200 ml water as a mouthwash.
QID
Sores in Mouth
1. Capsicum Lozenges
Contra-indications, Side Effects and Toxicity of
Some Herbs
by Darlene Morrow, B.Sc.
Aloe Vera
Avoid during pregnancy. Causes you drug contractions. Has been
shown to be excreted into mothers milk. Avoid if breast feeding.
Dandelion
Contra-indicated in hyperproliferative disorders.
Echinacea
Echinacea is contraindicated in progressive systemic disorders
such as tuberculosis, leukosis, collagenosis, multiple sclerosis,
HIV infections, and other autoimmune diseases.
Feverfew
Contra-indicated in pregnancy.
Ginkgo Biloba
Side effects from GBE are few and mild. Infrequently,
gastrointestinal disturbance, head ache, and allergic skin
reaction may occur. Very large doses may cause restlessness,
diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Contra-indicated in people taking
anticoagulants.
Ginseng
The incidence of side effects for ginseng is low; insomnia and
nervousness usually occur at inappropriately high dosage levels.
It is contraindicated in individuals who have asthma, emphysema,
fibrocystic breasts, high blood pressure, clotting problems, and
cardiac arrhythmia, as well as in pregnant or lactating women. Do
not use large doses during acute infections. This can affect some
immune functions. In some women it has been shown to cause breast
soreness. Contra-indicated if you have high blood pressure.
Hops
Contra-indicated in severe depression.
LaPacho
Chronic administration may cause moderate to severe anemia.
Licorice
Licorice can promote water retention, and hypertension. An
increase in your dietary potassium (bananas) may help alleviate
this problem. Do not use without the guidance of your physician
if you have high blood pressure
Mistletoe
Can have significant toxicity. Use only under the supervision of
a physician.
Packaged Chinese Herbal Products.
Use with extreme caution. The popular "Sleeping Buddah"
was found to contain morphine. Many of these products are
contaminated with other things as well. See your herbalist for
good quality, organic combinations.
St. John's Wort
Side effects include mild gastrointestinal disturbances (taking
with food may alleviate this). Adynamic ileus has been reported.
Also can cause fatigue, pruritus, and weight fluctuation.
Photosensitivity (increased risk of sunburn) may occur. There is
also a precaution against taking foods and drugs that interact
with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI), such as
tyramine-containing foods, alcoholic beverages, narcotics, and
amphetamines. Warnings have surfaced about the dangers of the
concurrent use of serotonergic agents (e.g. Trazodone, Elavil,
Paxil, Prozac) inducing serotonin syndrome, since evidence is
showing that St. John's Wort may act as an SSRI. Do not take with
the advice of a physician. Symptoms of moderate serotonin
syndrome include mental confusion, muscle twitching, sweating,
flushing, and ataxia. Severe serotonin syndrome can cause acute
delirium and blood pressure changes.
Valerian
Large doses or extended use may lead to symptoms of poisoning.
Take the tea twice a day for no more than three weeks at a time.
May cause gastrointestinal upset in sensitive individuals.
References:
1. Muller, Julie L. , Clauson, Kevin A. Top Herbal Products
Encountered in Drug Information Requests (Part 1). [Drug Benefit
Trends 10(5):43-50, 1998. ©1998 SCP Communications, Inc.] http://www.medscape.com/SCP/DBT/1998/v10.n05/d3287.mull/d3287.mull-01.html
2. Dehmlow C, Erhard J, de Groot H. Inhibition of Kupffer cell
functions as an explanation for the hepatoprotective properties
of silibinin. Hepatology 1996 Apr Issue: 4 Volume: 23 Pagination:
749-54
3. Muller, Julie L. , Clauson, Kevin A. Top Herbal Products Encountered in Drug Information Requests: Part 2. [Drug Benefit Trends 10(6):21-23, 31, 1998. © 1998 SCP Communications, Inc.] http://www.medscape.com/SCP/DBT/1998/v10.n06/d5131.mull/d5131.mull-01.html
4. Sherman, Carl. Eastern Anxiolytic Herbs Have Novel Mechanisms.
[Clinical Psychiatry News 26(6):23, 1998. © 1998 International
Medical News Group.] http://www.medscape.com/IMNG/ClinPsychNews/1998/v26.n06/cpn2606.23.02.html
5. Sherman, Carl. Herbal Remedies May Be Useful Anxiolytics.
[Clinical Psychiatry News 26(6):23, 1998. © 1998 International
Medical News Group.] http://www.medscape.com/IMNG/ClinPsychNews/1998/v26.n06/cpn2606.23.01.html
6. The
Reynolds Office of Health and Nutrition
7. Thuan L. Tran, MD. Adynamic
Ileus Associated with the Use of St. John's Wort. Department
of Family Practice Kaiser Foundation Medical Center Fontana,
California. November, 1997--Volume 125, Number 16, pp. 1022-1087.
8. Demott, Kathryn. St. John's Wort Tied to Serotonin Syndrome.
[Clinical Psychiatry News 26(3):28, 1998. © 1998 International
Medical News Group.] http://www.medscape.com/IMNG/ClinPsychNews/1998/v26.n03/cpn2603.28.01.html
9. Murray, Michael T. The Healing Power of Herbs: The
Englightened Person's Guide to the Wonders of Medicinal Plants.
2nd Edition. 1995
Prima Publishing.
CYCLE OF CONSCIENCE
Fifteen year old Hep C victim to bike across Canada "Cycle
of Conscience" aims to collect 1 million signatures.
Ottawa, ON, June 12, 1998 - Fifteen year old Ottawa youth, Joey
Hache, left Ottawa today on what he hopes will be a campaign to
keep the unresolved issue of Hep C compensation in the media
spotlight over the summer Parliamentary recess. "I told the
Prime Minister I would be his conscience on this issue,"
Hache said, "and I intend to keep my promise."
Hache hopes to collect 1 million signatures from Canadians who
support his call to re-open the Hep C compensation package,
extending it to all victims of the tainted blood scandal. If
hesucceeds, it could force the Liberal government to re-visit its
controversial decision to compensate only those who received
tainted blood through transfusions between 1986-90. Joey Hache
first came to media attention when, prior to the April 28 vote in
House of Commons and the height of the Hepatitis C compensation
debate, he accused the Prime Minister of treating his Liberal
MP's like "political prisoners". As he watched news of
Mr. Chretien's visit to Cuba and the protest against Castro's
holding of political prisoners, Joey made the astute comparison.
Liberal MP's were being forced to vote the party line even though
they publicly stated they would prefer to vote their conscience.
The Opposition's motion for a free vote on the Hepatitis C
compensation issue was forced into a confidence vote by the Prime
Minister. The day of the vote, Joey Hache was in the gallery as
he watched the entire right side of the House stand in support of
victims of Hepatitis C. As expected, the entire Liberal party
stood one by one against and the motion was defeated. But Joey
was not. In the dead silence following the fateful tally, Joey
stood and began to clap, showing his thanks to Opposition MP's,
and waving to them. In response, an unprecedented event occurred,
as Conservatives, Reform, NDP, Bloc Quebecois and a lone
Independent MP rose to their feet in unison and "brought
down the house" in thunderous applause. The Speaker of the
House took a full 10 minutes to settle things down, as security
guards threw Joey and Hep C victims out of the gallery.
Since then, Joey launched his own private campaign against
government dictatorship as he became "the PM's
conscience," urging Mr. Chretien and Allan Rock to open up
the compensation equally to all infected with Hep C by tainted
blood. Frequent letters, e-mails and visits to MP's on Parliament
Hill have since made Joey Hache a "household name" to
all who serve in the prestigious Federal government buildings in
Ottawa. All Opposition health critics and MP's have publicly
supported Joey's campaign and will meet him at strategic points
across Canada to encourage him through his arduous trek.
On June 15, 1998, Joey will start from Halifax, Nova Scotia,
dipping his bicycle wheel into the ocean at 12:00 noon local
time. "This really is a grass roots project, with just a few
people coordinating from our home in Russell, Ontario" says
Joe Hache senior. "We are counting on the support of
Canadians to show they care." Reform health critic, Dr.
Grant Hill will be in Halifax to help kick off this first leg of
the journey. NDP leader, Alexa McDonough is also scheduled to
meet him on Tuesday, June 16.
Plans are to visit communities through Nova Scotia, PEI, New
Brunswick and Quebec, arriving in Ottawa, Ontario on July 1,
1998. Joey, who suffers from a rare blood disorder, must receive
transfusions every 3 - 4 weeks and is scheduled to receive his
124th bag of blood on July 2nd at Ottawa's CHEO hospital.
Although concerns have been raised about Joey's health and
ability to complete the journey, his parents have decided to
allow the trek under close supervision. "If he can't ride
the bike, he'll ride in the van. This isn't an endurance cycle,
it's a trip to collect signatures of support." says Joey's
Dad. Updated reports and press conference schedules will be made
available to all media throughout the summer.
---------------------------------------------------------
SCHEDULE
Aug 1 Moosomin SA
Aug 2 Grenfell SA
Aug 3 Indian Head SA
Aug 4 Regina SA
Aug 5 Moosejaw SA
Aug 6 Chaplin SA
Aug 7 Swift Current SA
Aug 8 Medicine Hat AL
Aug 9 Lethbridge AL
Aug 10 High River AL
Aug 11 Calgary AL
Aug 12 Edmonton AL
Aug 13 Banff AL
Aug 14 Golden BC
Aug 15 Revelstoke BC
Aug 16 Vernon BC
Aug 17 Kelowna BC
Aug 18 Chilliwack BC
Aug 19 Vancouver BC
Aug 20 Nanaimo BC
Aug 21 Victoria BC
Please be there to greet Joey when he comes to your town.
Contact: Connie Hache at (613) 445-0467
Web Site : Joey
E-mail: jhache@istar.ca
SQUEEKY'S CORNER
Thanks a Lot!
Last month, Sandy Smith, one of our volunteers (Volunteer? ---ok,
backbone, mainstay, Ground of all Being) at the Victoria chapter
came up with this brilliant idea. She said, "Why don't we
ask Bill Gates for a computer?"
Well, I'll tell you, I was, to put it bluntly, trembling in my
knee socks; almost dislodged a suspender--and you know what the
recoil can be like; but Sandy's courageous approach had already
secured us a generous donation and continued support from the
Royal Canadian Legion, so I tightened my MCP belt, took a breath
and said, "Sure." The upshot? We wrote some
letters---LOTS OF LETTERS--and we got back lots of letters---and
we got nowhere, nada, zilch, bubkas.
And then…………..
We got a telephone call from Maureen Chant at The Jim Pattison
Group with an extremely generous offer of some used computer
equipment. Neato! (PS: Did I tell you I shop more often now at
Save-On-Foods, but it's really because of the J. Higby's
Chocolate Thunder frozen yoghurt-eh, Joan?). There was a problem
though, if you can call it that. The Pattison Group had only
donated computer peripherals, and first we needed computers to
attach the peripherals to, as well as some software to run the
things, if we ever got them. Minor details!
And then…………..
A masked gentleman on a white horse who prefers to remain
anonymous, nameless, incognito and the rest, called and offered
to provide us with some slightly older computer equipment so that
we could continue to educate Canadians about hepatitis C. The
offer was extremely generous and we are still trying to catch our
collective breath.
And then……………
Martin Harris of Microsoft Canada made us an offer we couldn't
refuse. We had asked specifically for software to enable us to
improve the look of the bulletin, our Website and to help manage
our office information and databases. Microsoft came through big
time, providing us with Office 97 and Publisher 98. Both
programs, by the way, are the smoothest babies I've ever worked
with. Flawless installs, really intelligent design and very easy
to use for the average idiot-who me? Now if we could just get
those 400 Mhz Pentiums and a few 19” monitors-------sigh………..
Where do we go from here?
You know, we didn't ask for computers so we could play PacMan.
Already, we have transferred our databases to a more workable
format, which enables us to have better contact with our members,
and address your needs. We are also in the process of shifting
the production of the hepc.bull to offset printing from
photocopying, which will make the bulletin much easier to read,
and lower costs, as well. And we are now able to exchange
research information, search for information, collate results and
write and contact people much more efficiently as we move toward
pressing for a cure for this insidious disease.
We still need a bigger office, we need to organise a concerted
effort at getting the public involved in finding a cure for
hepatitis C, and we need to settle the compensation issue once
and for all. None of this happens when you sit on your tush and
complain about the other guy not doing anything. It happens,
when, like Sandy-who doesn't even have hep!!!-you listen to that
“still small voice” and take that first scary step.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot.
Thanks Bill. J
IN MEMORY
One of our members, Annie Ahrens, of Nanaimo, passed away this
last month. Her family has asked that donations be sent to HeCSC
in lieu of flowers.
HEPATICO
Carol D. of Vancouver reported to our office that after taking
Hepatico for one month, her LFTs have gone down to normal for the
first time in four years!