Each year the Hepatitis B Foundation receives a donation from a generous anonymous donor to give out as “travel scholarships” to help folks attend the annual B Informed Patient Conference. I’d like to share with you the following e-mail that I received from a single mother who had applied for and received one of these “travel scholarships” to attend this year’s conference held in Philadelphia:

Dear Steve,
First, I want to say what a pleasure it was to meet you at the B Informed patient conference. I’m so glad that I went and I’m hoping that next year my son will be able to go as well.

Steve, I’m writing because I would like to return the check you gave me [as a “travel scholarship” from the Hepatitis B Foundation]. I am so grateful for the generosity that inspired such a gift, but I feel that it should go to someone who could really benefit from it.

As a single mother of a son with hep B, I’ve had to face many challenges, some of them financial. At the same time, I’m finally getting on my feet and my son just graduated from college – things are getting better. In fact, I look forward to being able to contribute more to the Hep B Foundation in the coming years!

When I left the patient conference, I was simply unable to deposit that check. I remembered talking to one young man from Canada – Vancouver, I think – who clearly was a better candidate than I for such a gift. Would you be able to send it to him instead? Or to whomever else you may know of who could use some extra financial help?

You may be shaking your head at my “flip-flop” – and I wouldn’t blame you!

The simple truth is that the past few years have been difficult and I carry with me a kind of leftover fearfulness. But you know, I met a lot of wonderful people at the conference and hearing of their struggles reminded me that my son and I are turning the corner.

It’s time to give back not take. So shake your head if you must (!), but please help get this money to someone else in greater need than me.

Mom from Arizona

I think many of us can identify with this mother’s fearfulness, especially if you’ve been newly diagnosed with hepatitis B.

In coming to terms with having hepB, we typically go through stages, like denial, anger, and depression, the same as someone who is grieving. Finally, by learning about the disease, meeting other people with hep B, and letting some time go by, we reach the acceptance or “turning the corner” stage.

Like the mom from Arizona, many of us happily begin a fifth stage, reaching out and helping others.

Best wishes,
Steve