Joan M. Block, RN, BSN
Co-Founder, Hepatitis B Foundation

2006 promises to be an exciting New Year for the Hepatitis B Foundation! We are launching new outreach and advocacy initiatives, and a new facility is under construction. All of these plans will be reported in B Informed as they unfold this year, so stay tuned.

Key issues that the foundation has identified as areas of great need are hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or primary liver cancer, of which 80% of cases worldwide are caused by chronic hepatitis B infections. Hepatitis D is a deadly virus that affects 15 million people (read page 5) but is not well understood.

Counting everyone in the U.S. who has hepatitis B is a priority since the current estimate of 1.25 million affected Americans is based on data from 20 years ago!

Making certain that hepatitis B is not forgotten has never been more important. The good news is that based on our Annual Fund Appeal, you agree and responded more generously than ever before.

On behalf of the Hepatitis B Foundation and those who care about our Cause for a Curewish to express heartfelt gratitude for your support. Thank you.

BInformed, Winter 2006.