OREGON CITY, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 5, 2005--The Hepatitis C Caring Ambassadors Program (HCCAP) enthusiastically announces the launch the Internet-based Hepatitis C Awareness 2005 Campaign (www.hepcchallenge.org), which coincides with the May observance of National Hepatitis Awareness Month. The campaign is focused on raising hepatitis C awareness in the minds of the general public, elected officials, and policy-makers. Hepatitis C is the most common chronic, blood-borne infection in the United States, and is the leading cause of chronic liver disease among Americans. An estimated 3.9 to 4.5 million Americans have been infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), with nearly 30,000 new cases occurring each year. The centerpiece of the HCCAP Hepatitis C Awareness Campaign is an interface that allows users to easily send their Congressional representatives an e-mail message expressing concern about the hepatitis C epidemic. HCCAP has set a goal of 100,000 messages to be sent to Congress during the month-long Hepatitis Awareness observance. In addition, the HCCAP site has information about the recently introduced Hepatitis C Epidemic Prevention and Control Act, which mandates a comprehensive federal hepatitis C program to include counseling and testing, early detection, surveillance, education, training, and research. Other features of the HCCAP Hepatitis C Awareness 2005 Campaign site include daily tributes to persons who have contributed to the betterment of those with hepatitis C, daily hepatitis C facts, and a calendar of local and regional Hepatitis Awareness Month activities.
