LATINO ORGANIZATION FOR LIVER AWARENESS (LOLA) HOSTS LEGISLATIVE CALL-TO-ACTION AT LATINO EXPO Elected Officials Gather to Address Hepatitis C Epidemic in Latino Communities NEW YORK CITY, October 19, 1999 - State and local legislators will join the Latino Organization for Liver Awareness (LOLA) at its First Annual Legislative Summit breakfast, this Sunday October 24th. The summit will focus on the hepatitis C epidemic in the Latino community and will document the prevalence and dangers of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Community leaders also plan to call for increased funding and support of prevention, education and treatment programs for the disease. The breakfast, at the Marriot Marquis Hotel in New York, will begin at 9:00 AM. It will be a highlight of this year's LATINO EXPO, a major trade show focusing on the growing impact of the Latino consumer on marketing trends and strategies within the larger national economy. "Hepatitis C is already the third leading cause of death among Latinos and the numbers are steadily rising," said Debbie Delgado-Vega, Founder and CEO of LOLA. "This summit is an important first step in raising awareness about hepatitis C in our communities. We want to let elected officials, government polici makers and community leaders know that now is the time to take action against this disease." Almost 4 million Americans have the hepeatis C virus (HCV). In the United States, approximately 1 out of every 50 Hispanics is infected with HCV, and by 2025, the Hispanic population is expected to double. Left untreated, hepatitis C can cause permanent scarring of the liver, liver cancer and even death. Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer and New York State Assemblyman Roberto Ramirez will be among the speakers. Additionally, physicians from Mt. Sinai and New York University Medical Center will discuss advances in HCV treatment and organ donation medicine. "As more cases of chronic hepatitis C emerge, we also expect to see a dramatic increase in liver transplantation" said Lewis Teperman, MD, Director of Transplant Services at NYU Medical Center. "This event will be a critical stop in heightening awareness of liver disease in the Latino community." LOLA will also honor international talk show Cristina Saralegui with the Golden Humanitarian Award in recognition of her strong support of LOLA's on-going hepatitis C education and awareness campaign. Ms. Saralegui is featured in a series of nationally broadcast English and Spanish public service announcements on HCV to be played at the event. LOLA believes that Ms. Saralegui's prominence within the Hispanic community will be instrumental in increasing attention to this growing public health concern. For more information on the Legislative Summit, or to find out more about hepatitis C, contact LOLA toll free at (888) 367-5652.