Niagara Health System’s Hepatitis C Care Clinic and community partners are hosting a World Hepatitis Day educational event on Tuesday, July 28 at Centennial Square in Niagara Falls.
The event will raise awareness about hepatitis C and liver health. It will also educate the community about the wide range of services the NHS Hepatitis C Care Clinic and more than 30 community agencies offer to residents.
“Hepatitis C care providers are excited about the advancements in treatment we can offer,” says Brenda Yeandle, Clinical Leader of the NHS Addictions Programs in Port Colborne, which includes the Hepatitis C Care Clinic. “We hope events such as the one happening on World Hepatitis Day in Niagara Falls will offer the opportunity for people to get tested for Hepatitis C.”
At the Niagara Falls event, a Registered Nurse from the NHS Hepatitis C Care Clinic will offer confidential hepatitis C testing to those interested.
Niagara’s rate of hepatitis C is higher than the provincial average.
Hepatitis C is spread when blood carrying the virus gets into the bloodstream of another person. The virus attacks the liver and if left untreated can result in the development of cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. While thousands of Canadians are infected, many are not aware and remain undiagnosed. It is vital to get tested if you think you may have been exposed to hepatitis C.
The event at 4310 Queen Street in Niagara Falls runs Tuesday, July 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Niagara Health System is very grateful for the financial support provided by Gilead Sciences Canada Inc. and Abbvie to help us host this important event. To learn more about Gilead, please visit: www.gilead.ca. To learn more about Abbvie, please visit: http://www.abbvie.ca.
About the NHS Hepatitis C Care Clinic
The Hepatitis C Care Clinic is a part of the Addiction Services Program of Niagara Health System. The team consists of a physician trained in hepatitis C care and treatment, two registered nurses, a social worker, outreach worker and clinic coordinator. The NHS clinic is located in Port Colborne (260 Sugarloaf Dr.) and we have satellite clinics in Niagara Falls (Greater Niagara General Site), St. Catharines
(4 Adams St.) and Welland (Welland Hospital).
The team provides:
- Hepatitis C education.
- Counseling and support – individual / group.
- Hepatitis C – Testing, treatment, and treatment after-care; case management.
- Support for those who may not be suitable for treatment.
- Community outreach.
- Addiction assessment, referral, addiction recovery support and relapse prevention support; case management.
Outreach services:
The outreach worker’s services are available to anyone in Niagara; you are not required to be a client of our clinic. Call 905-378-4647, ext. 32552, to contact Don Crocock directly.
More information about the NHS clinic is available at: www.niagarahealth.on.ca/site/hepatitis-c-care
Media contact: Steven Gallagher, Communications Specialist, 905-378-4647, ext. 43879; steven.gallagher@niagarahealth.on.ca
