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New Orleans - Louisiana's Hepatitis C Awareness Benefit Concert has expanded this year to include a "Week of Hepatitis C Awareness" ending with the 5th annual "Once In A Blue Moon" All-Star Benefit Concert.
Award-winning singer, Timothea, New Orleans' "Siren of Soul," has joined forces with Hepatitis Movement for Awareness to make this years annual event an even greater success. DrumsOnTheWeb and LA's WWOZ, 90.7 FM radio station also committed to the worthy cause, guaranteeing a record turnout for this year's events.
The week begins with TV and Radio appearances, feature articles in both music and medical magazines, and newspapers across America. On Thursday November 18, the Hepatitis C Focus on Youth Conference will address awareness within our educational systems. How we, as a community, can play an active roll in bringing Hepatitis C issues to the forefront in the battle to stop the spread of this deadly virus.
Guest speakers include members from the medical community and families with infected children. Parents and their children will talk about the struggles they face because of the lack of education and understanding the needs of our youth infected with Hepatitis C.
The goal of the conference is to promote youth based environment models and motivate our local and state governments to become active members in awareness. Guest speakers will also present the latest information concerning active duty, military veterans and dependents filing VA claims. Members of the Hepatitis C movement will discuss proven ways to achieve awareness followed by a question and answer session between guest speakers.
On Friday November 19, The Hepatitis C Movement for Awareness, which holds the annual National "Weekend for Awareness" and March on Washington, DC, will join Siren to Wail for a "Second Line March” accompanied by the community and led by Big Chief Victor Harris Of the Fi Yi Yi Indian Tribe, The Corry Henry Brass Band will accompany marchers through The Big Easy. This will lead the way to the Drum Circle at Congo Square, with a candlelight vigil honoring the memory of Crystal Perry (1990-2004) and others untimely death by Hepatitis C. Read more
The Drum Circle will be one of a kind, combining the unique sounds of Mardi Gras Indians and Second Line drummers, in addition to legendary drummers and percussionists from around the world. The chant of rhythms will be recorded and released on the upcoming production featuring a variety of Louisiana artists; produced by New Orleans' own Timothea. The event will be broadcast live on radio and internet by WWOZ FM Radio.
The awareness benefit and concert is Saturday, November 20, 2004, at Tipitina's Uptown, New Orleans. Timothea says, "We're calling in the music forces of the world to make 2004 the largest "Once In A Blue Moon Benefit Concert". Many nationally known stars will join in making awareness a nationwide event and set the precedence for an all-star night.
The benefit concert features headliners, and legends, Bobby Rush, Allen Toussaint, the Dixie Cups (Going To The Chapel) plus, some of the best artists that New Orleans has to offer. Brass Bands, Funk, Zydeco, Gospel... Musicians include Frankie "Let Me Take You on a Sea Cruise" Ford, Sunpie, The Iguana's, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Irene Sage, Bamboula 2000, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Troy Andrews (Trombone Shorty) featuring David Torkanowsky. And, of course, Timothea with the Blue Soul All Star Review and guests Jeslyfe, Tayna Boutte, Diane Lotny, Lance Ellis, and Bob Andrews.
Outside Tipitina's will be a Silent Auction tent beginning at 7:30 PM and ending at 11 PM. Artwork and Photographs by some of the greatest with the sounds of Slewfoot & Cary to guarantee a great time while helping a worthy cause.
Currently, the only means to stop the spread of this disease is through preventive efforts such as awareness, testing, and education. There is no vaccine to protect people. Hepatitis C (HCV) is a blood borne virus that infects over 5.8 million Americans. The virus transmits by blood to blood contact. HCV is the number one epidemic in the world and infects almost 300 million people worldwide. It is the leading cause of liver transplants in the United States. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) statistics report 30 percent of middle age adults with infections over 20 years are expected to develop end stage liver disease.
When end stage failure occurs, the patient's only hope is a liver transplant. According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, the organ donation and transplantation division, "Only 5,000 livers are available each year", and leaves the majority on that list with no options for life. There is no cure for most and no vaccine. Early detection, through testing, is essential, so patients can take preventive measures shown to extend lives.
"What people don't know can hurt. Hepatitis C is a silent disease and is one of the top five diseases missed by the medical professionals," Timothea continues.
The HCV epidemic is discovering "what was", the consequences of a tragedy that occurred within the nation's blood supply. In 1988, 242,000 HCV infections were reported annually. These high figures were reported throughout the 1980s. Since 1988, when effectual heating or washing of blood products became available, the annual number of new infections declined more than 80 percent by 1998. Only 20% of patients with hepatitis C know they have the disease. Four Million people have no clue they carry the virus and this is why it is imperative people who are at risk, get tested to save their life and stop the spread of this insidious virus.
The Right to Know Foundation, a nonprofit organization that sponsors the "Are U at Risk?" testing campaign, will provide vouchers for "in-home" Hepatitis C test kits for just the $10, the cost for shipping, sent in when you mail the voucher (normally $95 for the test). The event organizers say, "The purpose of our event is the foundations' primary mission; to alert the public on the many ways the virus is spread and encourage people at risk to get tested."
The test kit vouchers will be available to all who feel they are at risk for the virus. Plenty of information and support on risk factors, treatment options and counseling for a wide variety of needs, will be on hand also. Timothea ends, "Even if you don't have Hep C, you probably know someone who does, so come on out for a great time with a purpose, help us stop the spread of this deadly virus."
Please plan to attend these important events
and help stop the spread of Hepatitis C.
Accommodations have been reserved at a special rate of $67.00 per night at the Holiday Inn Westbank. Call toll free 1-877-553-1235. To reserve your room at this discounted rate, please mention the booking code "Siren To Wail – HMA."
Holiday Inn Westbank
100 Westbank Expressway
Gretna, Louisiana 70053
1-877-553-1235
click here for full itinerary and details
click here for press release
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