Advisory: Congressmen to attend event recognizing Viral Hepatitis Testing Day
Free testing will be offered: ‘Get Educated, Raise Awareness, Know Your Status’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Thursday, May 23, 2013, Congressional Viral Hepatitis Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-4), Rep. Bill Cassidy (LA-6), Rep. Charlie Dent (PA-15) and Rep. Mike Honda (CA-17) will attend a free hepatitis testing event in honor of National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day.
More than 5.3 million people in the U.S. are living with hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C and 65 to 75 percent are not aware they are infected. Viral hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer – one of the fastest growing, deadly and most expensive cancers to treat in America. Did you know hepatitis C is curable and hepatitis B is treatable? We can reduce costs and fatalities, and that starts with getting tested.
WHO: Congressmen Hank Johnson, Bill Cassidy, Charlie Dent and Mike Honda, along with Ron Valdiserri, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health & Human Services and John Ward, Director of the Division of Hepatitis at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
WHAT: Viral Hepatitis Testing Day – get a free test for hepatitis B and C.
WHEN: Thursday, May 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Rayburn foyer (Refreshments will be served)
MEDIA: Please RSVP andy.phelan@mail.house.gov if you plan to cover the event.
Held in cooperation with: National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable, Caring Ambassadors, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, Orasure, Association of Chinese American Physicians, Hepatitis B Initiative of Washington, D.C., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Corporate Hepatitis Alliance, Community Education Group.
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