Hepatitis C Assistance Programs

Hepatitis C is a disease of the liver that is transmitted by viral infections. Many individuals infected with the virus will show no symptoms through the course of the disease even as it is causing damage to the liver. In some cases, the disease can lead to cirrhosis and death. There is no cure for Hepatitis C, but there are treatment options available that can suppress the virus.

Hepatitis Foundation International

• The Hepatitis Foundation's goal is to create a community for support and assistance for those living with a hepatitis infection or providing care for someone with such an infection. The Foundation has made it their mission to work towards the eradication of virally transmitted hepatitis, including the C variation. Visitors to the website can access their extensive collection of research on the disease, including DVDs, videos, booklets and information sheets. They also offer physician referrals and a support group directory, and they provide telephone support for those who cannot find a support group in their area.

  Hepatitis Foundation International
  504 Blick Drive
  Silver Spring, MD 20904
  hepfi.org

C. Everett Koop Institute

• The institute was founded by the former surgeon general of the United States, C. Everett Koop. The mission of the institute is to promote the ideas of health and well being, as well as to broaden the scope of thinking when it comes to curing disease and living longer lives. The hepatitis C wing of the institute provides information about the disease and personal risk-assessment tests for those who think they could be at risk of contracting hepatitis C. The website also provides chronicles from experts, patients and caregivers, giving support to those who need it. The website has information on support groups, and provides a message board for people to use to interact and discuss the challenges that face those living with the disease.

  C. Everett Koop Institute
  One Medical Center Drive,
  Lebanon, NH 03756
  epidemic.org

HVC Advocate

• The HVC Advocate program is open to people infected with the disease and those who want to help raise awareness. The website acts as both an information resource and a public advocate for more research into the disease. In addition to providing news updates whenever hepatitis-related stories are in the mainstream, the website has an extensive support and research library where interested parties can learn about the disease and what type of work is being done to find new treatments and to find a cure. The website also provides a listing of local support groups, so anyone infected can find like-minded people in their area to connect and network with.

  HVC Advocate
  Hepatitis C Support Project
  PO Box 427037
  San Francisco, CA 94142
  hcvadvocate.org