HFI CEO to Represent USA at European Liver Meeting

Silver Spring, MD, February 24, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Hepatitis Foundation International - The Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board, WHO Collaborating Centre for Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis, and the European Liver Patient Association will hold a meeting on “Preventing and control of viral hepatitis; the role and impact of liver patient groups in and outside Europe” in Lucca, Italy, March 13, 14 2008. The purpose of the meeting is to open a dialogue to identify the role and impact of various partner agencies, organizations and patient groups. Thelma King Thiel, Chair and CEO of the Hepatitis Foundation International (HFI) will be representing the United States reporting on prevention initiatives and collaborative efforts with patient groups, local and federal government agencies and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. “I look forward to sharing our unique primary and secondary prevention program and materials called Foundation for Decision Making with several European countries,” says Thiel. “Our mutual goal is to bring viral hepatitis under control and to improve outcomes of patients in treatment.”

Representatives will be attending from WHO/EURO, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, The Netherlands, the UK and the United States. HFI’s recently produced DVD for young adults called Give Your Liver a Break received a prestigious Emmy Award for excellence. This is one of 14 educational DVDs HFI has produced targeting young children, adolescents, college students, patients, healthcare providers and another for those who participate in high risk behaviors. Each DVD uses animation depicting how cirrhosis occurs and identifies modes of transmission in several languages for various ethnic groups. All DVDs are available for viewing at www.hepatitisfoundation.org

The Hepatitis Foundation International is a non-profit health agency whose mission is to support education and research promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors and the prevention of viral hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, and substance abuse.

For Immediate Release Contact: Candice Abate
1-800-891-0707

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