Local Organizations Team Up With The Office of the Bronx Borough President to Launch Hepatitis C Awareness Campaign

Bronx, NY -- August 21, 2002 -- The Office of the Bronx Borough President, the Latino Organization for Liver Awareness (LOLA) and the Hunts Point Multi-Service Center, Inc. (HPMSC) announced today the launch of one of the most ambitious and extensive community education projects to raise awareness of hepatitis C (HCV) and to inform the community how they can "Get Tested / Get Treated." The program will be launched at a health fair taking place at 754 East 151" Street, Bronx, New York from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

The organizations will work together to provide information on hepatitis C to the community through presentations at local clinics and community-based groups. The goal of the program is to educate people regarding hepatitis C, its risk factors and at-risk populations, including Latinos. To better serve people in the Bronx area, the Hunts Point Multi-Service Clinic will open a new department for hepatitis C next month where patients who suspect they have hepatitis C can obtain testing and treatment.

Hepatitis C particularly affects Latinos. According to the National Coalition of Hispanic Health and Human Services, about one in every 50 Latinos in the United States has Hepatitis C. Latinos have more than a 40 percent greater chance of being infected with Hepatitis than the general population. Hepatitis C can be spread through contact with contaminated blood and the risk factors include: blood transfusions prior to July 1992; injection drug use with shared needles; sex with multiple partners; and intranasal cocaine use with shared straws.

"In light of these statistics, it is clear that there is a critical need to educate Latinos about hepatitis C and its impact in our communities," said Debbie Vega, Founder and CEO of LOLA. "LOLA and Hunts Point Multi-Service Center are here to educate and service the people of the Bronx".

LOLA is the first bilingual organization dedicated to raising awareness, prevention, education, treatment and transplant referral services to the Latino and American communities and other underserved populations who suffer from liver disease in the United States. The organization provides culturally appropriate information on liver diseases, liver transplants and encourages the promotion of organ and tissue donation.

Hunts Point Multi-Service Center has been servicing the community for over 35 years. It's mission is to enhance the quality of life for residents of the South Bronx community through the provision of comprehensive services in the area of medical care, behavioral health, health education and human services. HPMSC provides one-stop access to the entire realm of ambulatory care services including: Adult Medicine, Pediatrics and Adolescent Health Care, OBGYN, Dental, AIDS/HIV, Women, Infants and Children's (WIC) Health and Nutrition Program and Pharmacy Services and more.

For more information on this liver diseases please contact: LOLA at (718) 892-8697 or Hunts Point Multi-Service Center at (718) 401-5433.