Bronx, N.Y. (September 28, 2004) – The Latino Organization for Liver Awareness (L.O.L.A.) the first national, bilingual and bicultural organization dedicated to liver awareness, will be hosting a banquet in honor of the group’s 10th anniversary. The celebration is to take place on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 at the Interchurch Center in New York, from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

Among the special guests will be Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión, Jr., Senator Efrain Gonzalez, Assemblyman & Chairman of the Bronx Democratic Committee Jose Rivera, liver disease specialists, and transplant surgeons to name a few, for their efforts in helping to raise awareness of liver disease within the Hispanic community and for their involvement with L.O.L.A throughout the last ten years.

“This event is to say thank you to those that have given support and raised awareness for liver disease, particularly hepatitis C virus and organ & tissue donation within the Hispanic community,” said Debbie Delgado-Vega, Founder & CEO of L.O.L.A. “The support we have received has enabled us to help save the lives of many individuals, especially Latinos, who are hit hardest by liver diseases like hepatitis C.”

Also in attendance at the event will be Debbie Vega, founder and CEO of L.O.L.A., herself a liver transplant recipient, Elaine Berg, president of the New York Organ Donor Network, Dr. Lewis Teperman, Director of Transplantation at New York University Medical Center, Catherine Paykin, Director of Organ Donation for the National Kidney Foundation, Jose Nicot, former Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s Chief of Staff, Miriam Perez, Public & Professional Education Specialist for the New York Organ Donor Network, Gladys Moreira-Olsen, Director of Operations for L.O.L.A., staff and members of L.O.L.A.

Liver Disease and the Latino Community

Liver disease, such as hepatitis C (HCV), is a serious and deadly problem, especially among the Latino community. HCV is the most common blood-borne infection in the United States, affecting some four million Americans and one out of every 50 Latinos. According to the New York City Department of Health more Latinos die from end stage liver disease due to hepatitis C and co-infection with hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS than any other group. Unfortunately, socioeconomic factors such as poverty, lack of insurance, language barriers, and general lack of awareness, combine to limit access of Latinos to testing, treatment and/or lifesaving transplants.

“Over 16,000 Americans are waiting to receive liver transplants and not nearly enough donors are available to provide these organs,” said Delgado-Vega. “This is why it is especially important to screen and treat liver diseases, such as hepatitis C, before they progress and cause severe liver damage requiring a transplant.”

About L.O.L.A.

Founded in 1994, L.O.L.A. is the first national bilingual bicultural organization dedicated to raising awareness on liver disease through informational materials, prevention & education community outreach programs, treatment & referral services, support groups, quarterly newsletters, HCV Prison Educational Presentations and HCV Public Education Campaigns to the Latino and Americans communities and other underserved populations who suffer from liver disease in the United States.

L.O.L.A. also provides culturally appropriate bilingual information on liver transplantation, encourages organ and tissue donation and provides support groups for pre and post liver transplant recipients.

For more information about L.O.L.A., the reception, or to find out more about liver disease or liver transplantation, contact L.O.L.A. at (718) 892-8697 or visit www.lola-national.org.