feb98b

February 1998 - hepcBC.bull

ADVERTISING:

The deadline for placing advertisements in the hepcBC.bull is the 15th of
each month. Rates are as follows: Newsletter Ads: $10 for 1/6th page, per
issue $100 for 1/6th page, 12 issues (in advance) $20 for 1/3rd page, per
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ADVOCACY ANNOUNCEMENT CLASS ACTION SUITS:

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Camp Church and Associates Sharon Matthews / Kim Graham 4th Floor, Randall
Building Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1Z5 1-800-689-2322

Grant Kovacs Norell Bruce Lemer Grosvenor Building 930-1040 West Georgia
Street Vancouver, BC, V6E 4H1 Phone: (604) 609-6699 Fax: (604) 609-6688

Before August 1, 1986 Klein Lyons David A Klein 805 West Broadway, Suite
500 Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 1K1 (604)874-7171 (604)874-7180 (FAX)

also:

Dempster, Dermody, Riley and Buntain William Dermody 4 Hughson Street
South, 2nd Floor Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3Z1 (905) 572- 6688

The toll free number to get you in touch with the Hepatitis C Counsel is
1-(800)-229-LEAD (5323). It may not be working yet so please be patient.

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TRACEBACK PROCEDURES:

This information is for anyone who has received blood transfusions in
Canada, if they wish to find out if their donors were Hep C positive.

TRACEBACK INQUIRIES

Contact: Dr. Lisa Jeppesen, Dr. P Doyle,or Glenda The Canadian Red Cross
Society 4750 Oak Street Vancouver, BC, V6H 2N9 1-888-332-5663 (local 207)

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A fundraising dance will be held on February 28. Mark your calendars now.
The dance will be held at the Dorchester Hotel in Nanaimo, and snacks will
be served. All proceeds will go to HeCSC. Support your support group.
Mark your calendars now! Tickets will cost $10.00. For more information,
call Ria Klomp at (250) 248-6072. Victoria members: Call the Victoria
office (388-4311) to sign up. If enough people are interested, a bus may
be provided.

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VICTORIA UPDATES

Joanne Balchin has stepped down as secretary and librarian. She is taking
time off for her interferon treatment. We have all benefitted from her
help, and hope she will be back with us soon. David Mazoff
(“Squeeky”) is taking over her duties, and is also our new Office Manager.
We are asking that those of you who have overdue materials return them as
soon as possible, so that others may have the benefit of them. We are
desperately seeking a secretary or two, mainly to take minutes at the
meetings. If you are willing to help, please let the office know (Tel.
388-4311). Also, if you have signed up for the Class Action Suit and would
like to be in contact with others who have done so, please call the office.

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WHEN WILL IT END?

The local Parksville/Qualicum newspaper carried the following story just
before Christmas that shows how dangerous Hep C can be. The headline:

HEP C CLAIMS ANOTHER LOCAL VICTIM

Hepatitis C claimed a local victim last week— 43 year old Marilyn Sweet, a
teachers assitant at Ballenas Secondary school—who died on December 19, a
month after being hospitalized with pneumonia.

Marilyn used to walk 3 miles every day from her Martindale Road home. So
last week 25 people, her family, friends and other Hep C sufferers,
followed her foot steps for a walk in her memory, and decided to make it an
annual event to raise public awareness of Hepatitis C.

Marilyn contacted the liver disease 13 years ago from a tranfusion of
tainted blood during childbirth, said her sister. It is estimated there are
around 300 people in the local area infected with Hep C. The Mid Island
Chapter of the Hepatitis C Society of Canada has recently formed in Nanaimo.

Those wishing support can phone 248-6072 or 752-1718. Gary gjones@island.net

Alternative Treatment Made a Difference for Me

By Herb Moeller

Following a course of Interferon treatment in 1995, during which I came
close to normal AST and ALT levels, my AST and ALT levels returned to
levels experienced prior to the Interferon treatment within weeks after
treatment stopped. A second course of combination Interferon - Ribavirin
treatment had some unexpected side effects and I had to discontinue treatment.

This prompted me to look for alternative treatment. During my search I
came across the Hepatitis C Handbook, by Matthew Dolan (London: Catalyst
Press) ISBN No. 0952950901. This book can be ordered through your local
bookstore.

In the book a number of treatment options are discussed; one option I found
interesting dealt with Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM. The symptoms
described in the book very much described my symptoms and suggested a
treatment.

I was experiencing symptoms such as night sweats; thirst; dry mouth; liver
pains; vertigo; dry skin; fatigue; dry cough; and mood swings. It was time
to do something about this—so I contacted the author in London and
discussed with him the possibility of obtaining the TCM herbal treatment
discussed in the book. Since I was going to be in London, he invited me to
meet with him and John Tindall (a TCM practitioner) at the Gateway Clinic
in London, to discuss a possible course of treatment.

I started the treatment ‘Cool Water’ in August 97 and have seen a slow but
continued alleviation of symptoms. My night sweats have almost disappeared
and so have my joint pain-discomfort, and fatigue-tiredness, and, best of
all, I am starting to feel more like myself again. While this herbal
medication is not a cure—my AST and ALT levels have remained in their usual
range—it is certainly a treatment that has made a difference in the way I
feel physically and emotionally.

I recommend the Hepatitis C Handbook. It’s comprehensive, well-written and
describes what hepatitis C is all about. It is filled with helpful hints,
helping the reader to develop a better understanding of hepatitis C and
thereby deal with its attendant complications.

The Handbook covers background, facts; figures and theories of hepatitis C
including treatment options, such as conventional medicine, traditional
Chinese medicine, Western herbal medicine; vitamins, minerals, and
homeopathic treatments, as well as lifestyle issues, such as diet, alcohol,
drugs, exercise, yoga, Qi Qong and stress.

Anyone wishing to contact me may do so at 604-241-7766 or by email
HMoeller@compuserve.com

THIS IS AN OPEN LETTER

to all that have received tainted blood and then been caught in the circle
of continuing to pass it on. I have experienced many bouts of depression
since hearing the news that I tested positive for HepC. In writing this
open letter maybe I can rid my mind of some negative thoughts.

My short story

In 1978 I received multiple transfusions during surgery. I was so grateful
for the gift of blood that saved my life that day. I was a 27-year-old
mother of two children. I had emergency surgery that was far worse than
the doctors expected.

In 1980 I was able to start donating blood. I thought it only fitting to
give back to such a worthwhile cause. After all I had received such a
precious gift, and I was more than willing to respond in kind. The Red
Cross was very happy to have me on board as a donor. My “O” negative blood
is always in high demand, especially for new-born babies. My mother had
known the tragedy of losing a baby to Rh factors. I myself was extra
cautious when I was pregnant. I was only too glad to give some helpless
child and parent a chance at life, although I am sure some went to adults too.

I was called many times over the years to come in for donation. In 1988, I
was even called one day at my place of work: would I come in and donate for
an emergency involving a baby? They would even pay my cab fare to the Oak
street clinic from Burnaby.

It is that very day that haunted me the most in 1993 when I got the news
that I was Hep C positive. I had donated blood after a four year rest. I
had been travelling and experiencing ill health occasionally, probably HepC
related. I received a letter in the mail on a Friday from the Red Cross
informing me that I had tested positive for Hep C. I was dumbstruck. I was
thinking it was AIDS related and I was about to die anytime real soon. Of
course my doctor was not available until Monday.

It was then that my thoughts were with the many babies that had received
blood from my donations. How were they? How could this be happening—how
horrific? My mind went into meltdown; as a human being I felt somehow
responsible. I know that I had no control or knowledge of such actions,
but I found it difficult to cope with almost anything. I internalised the
idea that I was tainted.

I gave myself over to my own terror of what was next for me. I had in my
mind that this HepC was like AIDS, and I suppose it is in a way. I had
questions about what effect this would have on me and how was I going to
die, thinking that it was surely a death sentence that was being handed to
me. I became furious with the Red Cross. How could they—this trusted
agency—make such a horrendous set of events come to be.

My doctor explained that the “test” wasn’t available until recently and
that the best was now being done. It was not until much later that I
began finding out the truth about the testing and how it wasn’t being done.
I am very angry most days still. I not only received tainted blood but
also was included in the continued use of tainted blood.

I still cringe when I see the advertising for the Gift of Life. What other
unknown blood virus is going to surface next?

Yet all in all I am very glad that I received the transfusions. I have seen
my children grow into beautiful women and one has become a mother herself.
Now I look at my grandchildren.

Maybe it is this very event that brings me to tears every time I think of a
helpless baby and others so fragile receiving tainted blood. Not just for
me but for the thousands of other donors as well and how they could have
been brought into the circle of continuance. Now I tend to get mad rather
than sad about these events.

I have learned so much about Hep C from this group. I have researched
every possible source of information. I am learning more and living better
for it. I sought out the advice and care of a Naturopath in January 1997.
This has made a big difference in my care and understanding of Hep C. I
still have tired days and still need to watch my health.

I am starting to work on the willingness to forgive the Red Cross. They do
(did) have a Gift of life: many people have enjoyed extra years in their
lives because of blood transfusions. Not everyone has suffered, not
everyone knew not all was done, not all is lost.

But, I still go into a kind of shock every time I get a nick or cut my
hands. I just stop; it’s like I can’t touch anything, and especially
anyone. I want to hide. I have thrown out whole pots full of potatoes
because I nicked myself while peeling. I don’t think there is a Band-Aid
big enough or strong enough to keep the virus inside me. This may seem a
little farfetched but I am realising that I am human and can have anxious
moments about something so insidious.

My bouts of depression are lessening. The research and knowledge of others
has helped. For that I am very grateful. Thank you, one and all,
especially fellow HepCer’s. I will get to a meeting eventually and make
visual contact with some of you.

Sincerely,

Louise Schmidt

Maxim Pharmaceuticals Announces Phase II Hepatitis C Clinical Trial Planned
For Spring 1998

Stockholm: MAXIM today reported interim feasibility and safety data for the
use of “Maxamine” in combination with interferon-alpha (IFN-a, Intron A®)
in chronic hepatitis C (HCV) patients who have been characterized as
non-responders to previous interferon treatment. Additionally, Maxim has
also announced that it plans to test Maxamine in combination with
interferon in a 240-patient HCV Phase II trial to commence in the United
States in Spring 1998.

“Maxamine Therapy” is based on research carried out by its founding
scientists from the University of Goteborg, Sweden. Research has shown
that free oxygen radicals have the potential to inhibit the stimulation or
activation of Natural Killer-cells (NK-cells) and T-cells by cytokines such
as interferon and Interleukins. “Maxamine,” a histamine type-2 receptor
agonist (H2R) based on the body’s natural histamine molecule, inhibits the
production and release of free oxygen radicals thereby protecting NK-cells
and T-cells and allowing for more effective activation by cytokines.

The Company’s rationale and support for the use of “Maxamine Therapy” in
the treatment of hepatitis C patients is based on a number of findings from
preclinical and clinical studies: NK-cells, a key component of “Maxamine
Therapy’s” mechanism of action, have been described as the body’s first
line defense against viral infections. However, oxidative stress (release
of reactive oxygen metabolites) caused by the inflammatory cellular
response to viral infection in the liver may prevent NK-cells from
performing their antiviral function. Specific cells that reside in the
liver tissue (Kupffer cells) and act as macrophages may also inhibit
NK-cells. Interferon-alpha, an NK-cell stimulant, is the primary treatment
for HCV, yet has limited efficacy as a single agent. “Maxamine” has been
shown to enhance or synergize with cytokines such as interferon-alpha in
the treatment of cancer patients. “Maxamine” treatment has demonstrated
efficacy in Phase II clinical trials in advanced melanoma patients having
liver metastases (extending median survival to 18 months from the expected
survival of 4 months). With respect to viral diseases, “Maxamine” was
effective in protecting animals from a lethal injection of herpes simplex
virus type II (Hellstrand et al., Clin. and Diag. Lab. Immunology, 2:3,
277-280, 1995) and Maxim’s scientists have shown a statistically
significant difference in blood histamine levels between patients that
respond to interferon treatment versus those that do not respond
(publication in press). Lastly, the interim results of the Phase I study
suggest that “Maxamine Therapy” is safe in high-risk HCV patients.

Maxim Pharmaceuticals is developing novel therapeutics and vaccines for the
prevention and treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Maxim’s focus
is to develop novel products that include pharmacoeconomic and disease
management benefits such as out-patient therapy, improved clinical
efficacy, higher level of safety, lower treatment cost and improved patient
compliance. The Company’s lead product “Maxamine” is in Phase III trials in
the U.S., Europe and Australia for malignant melanoma and other Phase II
and III Trials are ongoing or planned for other cancer indications
including acute myelogenous leukemia, renal cell carcinoma, multiple
myeloma and prostate adenocarcinoma. The Company’s secondary platform
technology, “MaxVax,” now in preclinical development, utilizes a mucosal
vaccine carrier/adjuvant system for a broad range of infectious disease.
The Company expects to commercialize its technologies through a combination
of in-house development and collaborative agreements with pharmaceutical
companies. Note: “Maxamine,” “Maxamine Therapy,” “MaxVax” and the Maxim
logo are trademarks of the company.This release is also available on the
Internet at: http://www.noonanrusso.com. SOURCE Maxim Pharmaceuticals

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