July 2022
World Hepatitis Day - July 28
Every year on July 28, we celebrate World Hepatitis Day in honor of Dr. Baruch Blumberg’s birthday. Dr. Blumberg, who helped our organization grow and start a research institute, discovered the hepatitis B virus in 1967 and subsequently developed the hepatitis B vaccine two years later.

We commemorate World Hepatitis Day by raising awareness about the disease. With almost 300 million people living with hepatitis B worldwide, it's so important to bring awareness to this preventable and treatable disease.

What can you do?
  • Watch our new #BtheVoice videos from Nigeria here.
  • Join us on Facebook Live on July 28 at 10:30 a.m. to hear from three of our #justB storytellers.
  • Share on social media using the hashtags #WorldHepatitisDay & #ICantWait
  • Learn more about the World Hepatitis Alliance's #ICantWait campaign here.
  • Donate toward programs like #BtheVoice and finding a cure here.
Increasing hepatitis B clinical trial diversity and participation
Hear from Dr. Chari Cohen, our new president, and Dr. Yasmin Ibrahim, public health program manager, about what we're doing to help improve diversity and participation in clinical trials for potential new hepatitis B treatments and vaccines.

You can download the podcast, which is from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, here.
Consult corner: What is hepatitis B?
Welcome to Consult Corner, where we answer some of the most commonly asked questions!

This month's question: "What is hepatitis B?" is a question you probably can answer, but many people could not. To help bring awareness to the disease, please share this information with a friend this month!

Hepatitis B is the most common serious liver infection in the world. It's a virus that specifically attacks cells in the liver. Globally, there are nearly 300 million people living with chronic hepatitis B. Additionally, it has been estimated that about 2 billion people have been infected with hepatitis B (either acute or chronic). There are other viruses that may attack the liver such as hepatitis A, C, D and E, but each virus is unique. Fortunately, there is a vaccine to prevent new hepatitis B infections and excellent treatments for those that need treatment for individuals in need of it. Continue reading here.

For more on the basics of hepatitis B watch Hep B Virus 101 with Dr. Thomas Tu here.

If you're interested in learning more about topics like this, please join the HepBcommunity online forum here.
New "B Heppy" podcast: Hepatitis B in Vietnam
B Heppy sits down with Dr. Doan Dao from Johns Hopkins' Center of Excellence for Liver Disease in Vietnam and Vietnam Viral Hepatitis Alliance to discuss the state of hepatitis B in his native country. We talk about challenges and successes from the programs and what they are doing for July 28, World Hepatitis Day. 

You can find the podcast episodes here or anywhere you get your podcasts.

AND, if you'd like to suggest a topic for B Heppy, please send an email to info@hepb.org.
International HBV Meeting early bird registration open
This annual gathering, which is organized by the Hepatitis B Foundation, is the world's primary meeting of hepatitis B researchers. You can attend with special early bird rates if you register before July 29.

This year's meeting will take place in person in Paris, France Sept. 18-22 and online.
 
Please visit www.hbvmeeting.org for details.
The Timposium: A research symposium
honoring Timothy M. Block, PhD
On June 17, the Hepatitis B Foundation, Baruch S. Blumberg Institute and Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center hosted numerous amazing speakers who all have a connection to Timothy M. Block, PhD, founding president of our organizations. This was a special event to honor Dr. Block and reflect on his accomplishments and the many people he has helped over his impactful career. You can watch the symposium recording here.

Dr. Block officially stepped down from his post as president of the Hepatitis B Foundation at the end of June, but he will continue to be involved as Executive Chair of the Board of Directors. And he will continue his research as an adjunct faculty member at Yale University.
Find your why for World Hepatitis Day
"Hepatitis B should not derail anyone’s life. The Hepatitis B Foundation and the Blumberg Institute are changing the outcomes for people living with the disease. They are the change agents for this disease.” - Catharine Williams, vice president of the Foundation's Board of Directors.

What's your why for giving to the Hepatitis B foundation?
  • The nearly 300 million people living with hepatitis B today
  • A person you love who has the disease
  • Fighting the stigma against those with hepatitis B
  • Finding a cure
  • Supporting life-changing research
  • Finding improved treatment options for those living with hepatitis B

Whatever your why, please donate here today!
 
New International Liver Cancer Movement website!
We are pleased to announce that the International Liver Cancer Movement (#ilcm) has a new website! Working on liver cancer? Join us and be part of the movement! 

Visit the website here.
 
HepBcommunity Research Showcase vote to select the winners!
The Inaugural 2022 HepBcommunity.org Research Showcase is under way! Now that all the contestants are locked in, please go vote for the ones you like best here.
Former Moderna executive named president of
our research arm, the Blumberg Institute
Randall N. Hyer, MD, PhD, MPH, former senior vice president for global medical affairs at Moderna Inc., has become president of the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, which is the research arm of the Hepatitis B Foundation.

Timothy M. Block, PhD, founding president of the Hepatitis B Foundation and Blumberg Institute, said: “Dr. Hyer’s background makes him perfectly suited for this position and I know he's a tremendous person and scientist. While it’s challenging, certainly, for me personally to hand over the reins, Randy brings a passion and dedication to our mission that will build upon the momentum that exists in the Blumberg Institute.” Please read more here.
New Hepatitis B Information Guide
We have a new full service guide to help anyone who wants to learn more about hepatitis B.

The guide will help people understand their diagnosis, find helpful resources understand treatment options and more!

Access the guide free of charge here.

If you want to support important initiatives such as the creation of this guide, please donate here.
Hepatitis B Foundation's publication pick of the month
Detection of Hepatitis B Virus-Host Junction Sequences in
Urine of Infected Patients
Lin S, Su Y-P, Trauger E, Song B, Thompson E, Hoffman M, Chang T-T, Lin Y-J, Kao Y-L, Cui Y, Hann H-W, Park G, Shieh F-S, Song W, Su Y-S
Hepatology Communications - Aug. 25, 2022
The scientists, including Dr. Ying-Hsiu Su of the Blumberg Institute, made a breakthrough discovery about the presence of DNA from the hepatitis B virus in the urine of people who are infected with the disease. This is important because that specific DNA cannot be found in the bloodstream of patients. The researchers measured a form of the virus that only exists within hepatocyte genomic DNA called integrated HBV DNA. This DNA also is strongly associated with liver tumors, adding to the clinical relevance of this study.

An editorial in the same publication said, "The authors have brightened the prospects for a painless, noninvasive avenue for monitoring of liver diseases with their innovative work."

Note: You can find additional recommendations for relevant new journal articles here.
July 28 - Storytellers Event for World Hepatitis Day
Join us on Facebook Live here.

Sept. 11 - Bucks County Classic, Doylestown, Pa.
Details pending

Sept. 18-22 - International HBV Meeting
Learn more about our research and education programs at www.hepb.org
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.
Hepatitis B Foundation I 3805 Old Easton Road Doylestown, PA 18902 I
215-489-4900 I info@hepb.org