Anonymous donor provides record gift for hepatitis B research |
A very generous Florida couple who wishes to remain anonymous has contributed $500,000 to the Blumberg Institute, which is the research arm of the Hepatitis B Foundation, to advance research toward a cure for hepatitis B.
The donor chose to make the contribution after calling the Foundation's helpline and learning about our commitment to finding a cure. The gift is the largest in our history. The funds will enable Blumberg Institute researchers, led by Ju-Tao Guo, MD, W. Thomas London Professor and vice president for research, to pursue new strategies to cure hepatitis B. One strategy uses gene editing and mRNA; the other targets the viral surface antigen using a novel screening technique.
“Both strategies are unique and should go a long way in opening up entirely new approaches to treating chronic hepatitis B,” said Timothy M. Block, PhD, president and co-founder of the Hepatitis B Foundation and Blumberg Institute, who is involved closely with the research projects. “This is the kind of innovation that is needed for there to be a cure for hepatitis B.” Read more here.
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Progress toward a cure: Update from Timothy M. Block, PhD |
A primary goal of the Hepatitis B Foundation has always been to find a cure for the disease.
When we asked Timothy M. Block, PhD, Hepatitis B Foundation president and co-founder, about progress towards a cure by the many scientists worldwide working on that challenge, he discussed many different angles. Read more here.
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The Hepatitis B Foundation Gala set for April 1.
Please mark your calendar!
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Our annual Hepatitis B Foundation Gala is set for April 1 this year, and we're hoping the pandemic will have eased up enough that it will be in person!
The Gala has always been a fun-filled event that brings together some of the Foundation's most loyal supporters to celebrate our accomplishments, talk about what's ahead for us, and raise funds to support our public health, advocacy and research programs.
Right now we're seeking sponsors, selling display ads in the program and soliciting donations of items for our silent auction. Please read more here.
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One-on-one cancer support from Imerman Angels |
We are partnering with Imerman Angels to help provide support for people living with liver cancer. This program offers one-on-one mentoring for cancer patients and caregivers. Right now they are need of a mentor who is 40-60 years old and has had liver surgery. Please sign up if you can help.
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#justB positive: watch John's story |
When he was 16, John learned during a routine medical checkup that he has hepatitis B. After his mother reacted with tears and concern, he decided that he needed to demonstrate to himself and others that people living with the virus can live full, adventurous lives.
John decided to organize a charity bike ride to raise money for hepatitis B research. The support he received from people following his journey from Florida to Pennsylvania gave him the strength necessary to endure an often-exhausting cycling experience.
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Be the next #justB storyteller! |
The Hepatitis B Foundation is recruiting U.S. participants for our next #justB digital storytelling workshop, which brings together individuals living with or affected by hepatitis B to learn how to share their stories. Participants create short videos to help raise awareness, combat stigma and discrimination, and advocate for hepatitis B screening, prevention, and care. The workshop will be facilitated with our partner StoryCenter in March 2022.
All travel, accommodations and meals will be coordinated and paid for by the Hepatitis B Foundation. Participants also will receive a $150 stipend after completing the workshop.
To apply for the #justB storytelling workshop, please submit this form. We review applications on a rolling basis and will contact selected applicants with more details.
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Is it okay to hug with hepatitis B? |
Welcome to Consult Corner, where we answer some of the most commonly asked questions that we receive!
This month's question: If I have a chronic hepatitis B infection, can I hug my children or partner?
Yes, you can and should hug your partner, children or even others! Hepatitis B is not spread casually, and it cannot be spread through hugging, sneezing or coughing.
Actually, hugging has many health benefits such as reducing stress and fear, boosting heart health and reducing pain, to name a few.
Hepatitis B is transmitted through direct contact with infected blood and infected sexual fluids. This can occur through sharing sharp instruments such as razors, nail clippers, toothbrushes or earrings, since small amounts of blood can be exchanged through these items. Hepatitis B is also transmitted during unprotected sex with an infected partner, sharing needles, unsterilized medical or dental equipment and from an infected woman to her newborn during the delivery process. Also, body piercing and tattooing are potential sources of infection if unsterile needles are used. Please visit our web site to learn more about hepatitis B transmission, and how to protect your loved ones with the hepatitis B vaccine.
Jan. 21 is International Hugging Day! So, celebrate this day by giving your loved ones a hug to show them how much you love them.
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New "B Heppy" podcast: #justB storytellers |
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New this week: In part two of a two-part series, B Heppy chats with Jacki, Joe and Xuan about their hepatitis B experience. We talk about how they got involved with the #justB storytelling program, their experiences since the stories have come out, and resources they used when they were first diagnosed.
You can find the podcast episodes here or anywhere you get your podcasts . AND, if you'd like to suggest a topic to be covered in B Heppy, please send an email to info@hepb.org.
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We believe that discrimination shouldn't stop someone with hepatitis B from traveling, studying abroad or moving to another country. Please help us learn more about what discrimination you have faced.
Report discrimination at the Hepatitis B Foundation's Discrimination Registry here.
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Clinicians invited to participate in survey |
A group of clinicians at California Pacific Medical Center, Stanford University School of Medicine and University of California San Diego are conducting a survey to assess perspectives and practices among clinicians who care for patients with hepatitis B. They are hoping to better understand how guidelines and practices may vary worldwide.
All clinicians worldwide who care for people living with hepatitis B are invited to participate. The survey is anonymous and takes less than 10 minutes. Your participation is greatly appreciated. If you are a clinician, please take the survey here.
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As always, the new year gives us all a chance to reflect on what goals we want to set and what impact we want to have on our loved ones, community and the world.
We want to share a unique opportunity for the new year that allows you to make an impact on every one of them: donating appreciated stock in support of our mission. If you have appreciated stock, consider joining the many supporters of the Hepatitis B Foundation who are switching to stock donations! Here’s why:
- Your dollar goes further. The Foundation can use the full value of the stock gift to support those affected by hepatitis B, while you save on two types of taxes.
- It only takes a few minutes. The online stock donation platform below allows you to make your financially conscious gift in just a few minutes.
Many people are surprised at how easy stock giving can be. And this new online tool makes it extra accessible — it completes the paperwork for you!
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Hepatitis B Foundation's journal pick of the month |
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The Impact of hepatitis B vaccination in the United States, 1999–2018
Wen-Qiang He, Guan Nan Guo, Chenxi Li
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The study involved people 6+ years with a hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination history and an HBV serologic test from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2018. Subjects 18 and older with linked mortality records from 1999–2014 were incorporated in a mortality analysis. About 64,000 participants were included in the main analysis, with almost 30,000 (41%) having completed HBV vaccination (three or more doses, vaccinated).
The highest vaccination rate was 86.5% and that was for those born after 1991. Vaccinated participants had higher prevalence of vaccine-induced immunity than the unvaccinated (47% vs. 7%). For those born after 1991, VE was found at 58% overall and 85% for those 20 years and older. But there was no effect among those born prior to 1990. HBV vaccination was associated with reduced risk of mortality in general and cancer-related mortality, but not for death related to cardiovascular disease.
The study showed that, in the universal infant vaccination era, the HBV vaccine has shown substantial effectiveness against HBV infection and maintained strong protection for 20 years.
Note: Additional recommendations for new journal articles are posted here.
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Feb. 17 - Blumberg Institute Seminar: Peter Leedman, PhD
Online Event
Details coming soon
Feb. 24 - Blumberg Institute Seminar: Keith Jerome, PhD
Online Event
Details coming soon
March 24 - Blumberg Institute Seminar: Drew Weissman, MD
April 1 - Hepatitis B Foundation Crystal Ball Gala, Warrington, Pa.
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Learn more about our research and education programs at www.hepb.org
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The Hepatitis B Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure and improving the quality of life for those affected by hepatitis B worldwide. Our commitment includes funding focused research, promoting disease awareness, supporting immunization and treatment initiatives, and serving as the primary source of information for patients and their families, the medical and scientific community, and the general public. |
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Hepatitis B Foundation I 3805 Old Easton Road Doylestown, PA 18902 I
215-489-4900 I info@hepb.org
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