The American Liver Foundation have very nice, down-to-earth pamphlets on Hepatitis and Interferon and stuff, which they will send to you by calling their number: 1-800-223-0179 The American Liver Foundation also provides physician referrals. American Liver Foundation , 1425 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
The American Liver Foundation Liver Transplant Fund Program. Provides liver transplant patients with fundraising guidance; trusteeship and administration of patients’ funds at no charge; educational information about liver diseases and transplantation; information brochures as well as brochures on policies, procedures and fundraising.
For more information, including application form, resources list, and patient agreement form, please contact the ALF Liver Transplant Fund Program at : 1-800-GO-LIVER (465-4837) Fax (201)256-3214 Email txfund@liverfoundation.org
• The Hepatitis Foundation International, 30 Sunrise Terrace, Cedar Grove, New Jersey 07009, USA. HIF’s toll free line for callers in North America is 1-(800) 891-0707 www.hepfi.org
• National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: (301) 654-3810.
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Diseases at (301) 496-3583, but they simply refer you to the Digestive Diseases Clearinghouse number listed above.
• The CDC Hepatitis Branch Hotline numbers are (888) 4HEPCDC, (888) 443-7232 or (404) 332-4555. The voice mail allows you to request Faxed information to be sent to you or you can listen to a recording.
• Gammagard: Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi is a national (USA) law firm with offices in eight U.S. cities including Minneapolis and St. Paul. CONTACT: Philip A. Pfaffly, 612-349-0820, or Gary L. Wilson, 612- 349-8413, both of Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, or Gail D. Shore, 612-925-6102 of Shore to Shore Communications.
• American Chronic Pain Association, Inc., P.O. Box 850, Rocklin, PA 95677, (916)632-0922. 500 Chapters in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Russia. Provides a support system for those suffering chronic pain.
• U.S. Medic Alert: Medic Alert, P.O. Box 381009, Turlock, CA 95381-9009,1-800-432-5378 Canadian Medic Alert: Medic Alert, P.O. Box 0988 Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3C2T9 1-800-668-1507 Tax deductible. Chains, bracelets in a variety of styles. $35.00 Includes important info for medics. 1-800 # is engraved, and when called, any info you supplied to Medic Alert is given to medic/nurse/dr. Wallet size card with dr. name, # and emergency contact, etc. included
• Thyroid Foundation of America, Inc., ACC 630, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 (617)726-8500 Provides health education and support for thyroid patients and health care professionals.
• The Well Spouse Foundation, P.O. Box 28876, San Diego, CA 92198 (619)673-9043 (914)357-8513 Support groups; gives emotional support to spouses of the chronically ill; raises consciousness of professionals to the plight of the well spouse; advocates for legislative changes in insurance coverage for respite care and long-term care; produces a bi-monthly newsletter, WSF Newsletter.
• Agency for Health Care Administration, HMO/Managed Care Hotline, Toll Free: 1-800-226-1062 The HMO/Managed Care Hotline is a toll free telephone line maintained by the Agency for Health Care Administration to quickly respond to emergency or urgent quality of health care complaints and concerns by members of HMO’s and managed care organizations.
The Hotline is available between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and is answered by experienced, registered nurses who work with members to resolve problems.
• A good source of patient contacts is narcotics anonymous groups or drug-abuse recovery groups. Many people in these groups have hep C and they meet regularly and pass information around a lot.
SUPPORT GROUPS:
ALABAMA (BIRMINGHAM): American Liver Foundation support group. Meets the second Thursday of every month at 6:30, ALF Office Conference Room, 4 Office Park Circle, Suite 304, Birmingham Alabama. For more information, contact Virginia Greene, (205)879-0354
ALASKA (KENAI PENNINSULA): Hepatitis C support group is now forming. For information, contact Cheri Murphy in Soldotna at: (907)262-9197 or email: kcmurph@ptialaska.net
CALIFORNIA (BAKERSFIELD): Kern Hepatitis Association support groups meet weekly in various Bakersfield locations. For schedule and more information, call 661-323-5000 or 661-834-3196.
CALIFORNIA (BURBANK, LOS ANGELES COUNTY): Hepatitis C Support group meets monthly at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center. For schedule and more information, call 919-767-4162.
CALIFORNIA (LONG BEACH): Let's Talk support group meets at the VA Medical Center, 5901 E. 7th St., Long Beach in the H5 Conference Center. For schedule and more information, call Back to Life at 949-654-4250.
CALIFORNIA (LOS ANGELES): American Liver Foundation support groups meet monthly. For locations, schedule and more information, call the American Liver Foundation, Greater Los Angeles Chapter at 310-670-4624
CALIFORNIA (MARIN COUNTY): Marin County Liver Disease and Transplant Support Group for liver disease and transplant patients and their family/support people/caregivers, meets the first Thursday of each month, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the Tamalpais Creek Retirement Center, Activities Room, 853 Tamalpais Avenue, Novato. Take the DeLong exit off 101 and head west. Make a right on Novato Blvd. and a left at the first light (Tamalpais Avenue). Plenty of free parking, and handicapped-accessible. Refreshments. For more information, call 415-485-8829.
CALIFORNIA (MORENO VALLEY): American Liver Foundation support group, Inland Empire Chapter, 21439 Blossom Hill Lane, Moreno Valley, CA 92557 For more information, contact Russell D. Hamilton, Sr, (909) 778-1807
CALIFORNIA (OJAI): Hepatitis C Support group meets the 4th Tuesday of each month at the Little House. For schedule and more information, call Back to Life at 805-692-2860
CALIFORNIA (ORANGE COUNTY): Back to Life support group meets at the UCI Medical Center, 101 City Drive, Orange in the Associates Conference Room. For schedule and more information, call 949-654-4250 or toll-free in California 1-888-85LIVER.
CALIFORNIA (SAN DIEGO COUNTY): The American Liver Foundation Support Group at Scripps Green meets the first Wednesday of each month at 6:00 P.M. The first hour is a presentation by the Scripps medical team on various hepatitis/liver disease topics and the second hour is a support group. For more information, contact Phyllis at ALF (619) 291-5483.
CALIFORNIA (SAN FRANCISCO): Hepatitis C Support Project. Contact Alan Franciscus, (415) 978-2400. The Hepatitis C Support Project is the home of the HCV Advocate, a great newsletter. Please visit their site at www.hcvadvocate.org or email them at sfhepcat@pacbell.net.
CALIFORNIA (SAN FRANCISCO): HAAC: Hepatitis C Action & Advocacy Coalition. A group of independent committed heppers who haven’t copped out. If you want to change things and get involved with the politics of HCV, this is the place to call. (415) 863-5172. Email: haac_sf@hotmail.com. Contact: Brian Klein.
CALIFORNIA (SAN FRANCISCO): American Liver Foundation support group, San Francisco Bay Area Chapter, P.O. Box 150421, San Rafael, CA 94915-0421. Contact Cres VanKeulen at (415) 258-1682
CALIFORNIA (SANTA BARBARA): Back to Life Santa Barbara support group meets monthly. For schedule and more information, call 805-692-2860.
CALIFORNIA (SANTA CRUZ): Hepatitis support group meets the 3rd Monday of each month. For more information, contact Jerry Kelly at (408)438-7187.
CALIFORNIA (SANTA MARIA): Hepatitis C Support groups meets the 1st Tuesday of each month in Santa Maria. For schedule and more information, call Back to Life at 805-692-2860.
CALIFORNIA (VENTURA COUNTY): Living with Hepatitis support group meets monthly in Ventura. For schedule and more information, call 805-524-5438.
CALIFORNIA (WALNUT CREEK): Meetings are held on the last Thursday of each month at 7pm in Aspen Room #2 (downstairs) at the John Muir Hospital, corner of Ygnacio Valley Road and La Casa Via. (Sorry, no contact name or phone number available.)
CALIFORNIA (YUBA CITY): Hepatitis C Support group meeting the 3rd Monday of each month at the Glad Tidings Church. For schedule and more information, call 530-671-5644.
COLORADO: (Colorado Springs): Health Learning Center, 1644 Medical Center Point, 3rd Thursday, 7-8:30pm; (719)528-5575 Jane; (719)598-3771 Sharon; or Lance at william@divide.net.
COLORADO: (Denver): HepC Connection. For more information, contact: Ann Jesse at 1-800-522-HEPC or (303) 393-9395, address: 1714 Poplar St., Denver, CO 80220.
COLORADO: (Wheat Ridge): American Liver Foundation support group, Rocky Mountain Chapter, P.O. Box 117, Wheat Ridge, CO 80034. For more information, contact Lee Gerstner at (303) 940-3664
CONNECTICUT: American Liver Foundation support group, Connecticut Chapter, 1 Bradley Road, Suite 405, Box 4062, Woodbridge, CT 06525. For more information, contact Norma Pisetsky at (203) 397-5433
FLORIDA (BROWARD COUNTY): For more information, contact: (561) 434-0092
FLORIDA (FT LAUDERDALE): Meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at the Florida Medical Center, 5000 West Oakland Park Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL. For more information, contact: (954) 587-3777
FLORIDA (ORLANDO): Orlando Hepatitis Support System, 5624 Deepdale Drive, Orlando, FL 32821 (407) 238-9422 or (407) 238-2368 or email: peaches@magicnet.net
FLORIDA (ST PETERSBURG): Tampa Bay Hepatitis and Liver Disease Support Group, Inc. St. Petersbug Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month, 7:00-9:00 p.m. (please be prompt) at the Columbia Edward White Hospital, Auditorium - Suite 1G, 2299 9th Avenue, North St. Petersburg, FL. For more information, contact: Don Vausio - (813)577-0836 or Peggy Tatka - (813)684-4678
FLORIDA (TAMPA): Tampa Bay Hepatitis and Liver Disease Support Group, Inc., Tampa Meetings are held the fourth Thursday of each month, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. (please be prompt) at the University Community Hospital, Hospitality Room (past the Cafeteria), Bruce B. Downs & Fletcher, Tampa, FL For more information, contact: Don Vausio - (813)577-0836 or Peggy Tatka - (813)684-4678
FLORIDA (TAMPA): The Liver Disease Support Group holds meetings on the first Monday of each month at “The Health Source” at University Square Mall, 2140 Fowler Ave. Tampa FL 33613. For more information contact: M.J. Fitzsimmons (813) 899-9255 or email: mjfitz@IntNet.net
GEORGIA (ATLANTA): American Liver Foundation support group, Atlanta Chapter,4250 Wieuca Overlook, NE Atlanta, GA 30342. For more information, contact Helen Gitlin at (404) 255-1648
HAWAII: There is a Hepatitis Support Group on the last Thursday of every month at Wilcox Hospital, Conference Room A, in Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii. It is from 6:30 p.m. till 8 p.m. Interested may call: Teresa at (808) 826-7825.
IDAHO (BOISE): Southwest Idaho Hepatitis Support Group, 3rd Tues/mo, 7pm, St. Alphonsus Medical Center, 1055 N. Curtis Rd. Chickee Helms @ 208-382-6400.
ILLINOIS (CHICAGO): American Liver Foundation support group, Illinois Chapter, 225 W. Washington Street, Suite 2249, Chicago, IL 60606. For more information, contact Paul Ladniak at (312) 419-7086
IOWA: Hepatitis C Foundation sponsored support group. For information contact (800)324-7305.
IOWA (CEDAR RAPIDS): Hepatitis Education Project sponsored support group. Call 1-800-218-6932 for more information.
IOWA (DAVENPORT): American Liver Foundation support group, Quad Cities Chapter, 4328 Ridgewood Court, Davenport, IA 52807. For more information, contact Patti Erpelding at (319) 359-1994
KANSAS (KANSAS CITY): A meeting is held the second Wednesday of each month at KU Medical Center, Prairie Room, which is nearby Delp cafeteria. Parking is available in the parking garage across the street from the main hospital entrance on Cambridge, 2 blocks west of State Line Road at 39th street. Ask at the info desk for directions to the Delp cafeteria. Phone (913)677-6561.
KANSAS (WICHITA): Hepatitis C Foundation support group meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7:00pm. For more information, call (800)324-7305
Maryland (Frederick) Living With Hepatitis Support Group, Frederick County Health Department, 350 Montevue Lane, entrance C, 7-8:30pm. Tel 301-694-0245. Geraldine Frank, Facilitator, tfrice@erols.com. Meets 4th Thur./ month (except for June, July, Aug. Nov. & Dec.)
MASSACHUSETTS (BEVERLY): Beginning on Monday February 17, 1997 and continuing every 3rd Monday of each month, Beverly Hospital will offer support group meetings for all individuals affected by Hepatitis C. This group welcomes all people with Hepatitis C as well as spouses, older children, friends and anyone with a concern about this disease. For more information, contact: Hepatitis C Seminar & Support Group, 85 Herrick St. Beverly, Massachusetts (508) 922-3000 extension 2240.
MASSACHUSETTS (NEWTON): American Liver Foundation support group, New England Chapter, 246 Walnut Street, Suite 401, Newton, MA 02160. For more information, contact Judi Kaplan Elkin at (617) 527-5600.
MASSACHUSETTS (WORCESTER): Hepatitis support group, meets the first Monday of each month from 6:30- 8:00 @ U-Mass Hospital Worcester, MA in Lecture Hall B.
MICHIGAN (WEST MICHIGAN): Hepatitis C Foundation sponsored support group. For information contact Mary Kolanowski (616)336-9351 or (800)324-7305.
MINNESOTA (Minneapolis/St. Paul): Liverhope Support Group. Meetings are the 2nd and 4th Tuesday each month 7-9 PM Shepard of the Hills Lutheran Church 3920 North Victoria Street Shoreview, Minnesota 1/2 mile north of I-694 on the Victoria St. exit. LiverHope too Education Group Education for the newly diagnosed. Meetings are the 3rd Sunday each month 7-9 PM 901 Meadowwood Drive Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. http://www.liverhope.com/ Voice mail: (763) 780-0108 Pat Buchanan (763) 566-3839 pat@liverhope.com Helen Clark (952) 933-0932 helen@liverhope.com
MINNESOTA (ROCHESTER): American Liver Foundation support group, Rochester & Southeastern Minnesota Chapter, 615 Eighth Avenue, SW, Rochester, MN 55902. For more information, contact Sylvia Aronson at (507) 289-0914.
MISSOURI (ST. LOUIS): Hepatitis C Support Organization meets the second Monday of each month at the Clayton Library, corner of Central and Maryland, from 7-8:45 p.m. Contact person is Nancy Marsh, 2665 Midland Ridge Drive, St. Louis, MO 63114. (314) 428-7973.
MONTANA (BOZEMAN): Connections, 821 W. Mendenhall St., Bozeman, MT 59715. Contact Casey Rudd, 406-556-1139, caseyconnections@msn.com
MONTANA (HELENA) American Liver Foundation,Pacific Northwest Chapter, Contact 406-459-2417
MONTANA (Kalispell) : Hep C Montana, Flathead Valley United Church of Christ, 204 7th Avenue West Contact: 406-257-3825
MONTANA (Missoula) Hep C Support and Information Group. Missoula Public Library. 301 East Main. Contact: 406-721-2366
NEBRASKA (OMAHA): Hepatitis C Foundation sponsored support group. For information contact Kay Helms (402)398-1487 or (800)324-7305.
NEW HAMPSHIRE : Hepatitis C Foundation sponsored support group. For information contact Roberta Glenn (603)652-4326, Ed Nash (603)742-4732 or (800)324-7305.
NEW JERSEY (CENTRAL JERSEY): Hepatitis C Foundation sponsored support group. For information contact, Valerie Mead (908)247-2628, Barb Verb (908)937-8820 or (800)324-7305.
NEW JERSEY (NORTH JERSEY): Hepatitis C Foundation sponsored support group. For information contact John Sorrentino (201)743-2380 or (800)324-7305.
NEW JERSEY (SOUTH JERSEY): Hepatitis C Foundation sponsored support group. For information, contact Libby Leidolf (609)935-0807 or (800)324-7305.
NEW JERSEY (Summit): Union County, NJ, Support Group Meets last Friday of every month (7:30PM) Overlook Hospital, Conference Rm #2 Summit, NJ contact: susie@hepcesn.net. Also: Hepatitis C Education & Support Network, Inc. Focus on educating the public, promoting awareness and supporting people with HCV Toll-free Support Line (1-888-437-2376) hepcesn@hepcesn.net
NEW MEXICO (ALBUQUERQUE): Hepatitis C support group meets the 4th Saturday of each month at the Lovelace HR Center at 1258 Ortiz SE, Albuquerque, NM from 9am to 11am. For more information, contact Janet Brown at (505)292-4338.
NEW YORK (LONG ISLAND): The Hep C Courage Group holds meeting in Manhasset. For more information, contact Judy or Gina at (718)595-2805.
NEW YORK (MELVILLE): American Liver Foundation support group, Greater New York Chapter, 200 Broadhollow Road, Suite 207, Melville, NY 11747. For more information, contact Mary Beth Tully at (516) 393-5076.
NEW YORK (ROCHESTER): Hepatitis C Foundation Support Group, 16 Sanders Farm Dr., Penfield, New York 14526 Contact: John Trowbridge at (716) 377-9330 or (800)324-7305.
NEW YORK (ROCHESTER): American Liver Foundation support group, Western New York Chapter, 75 Buckland Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618. For more information, contact Nancy Koris at (716) 271-2859.
NORTH CAROLINA (CHAPEL HILL): American Liver Foundation support group, Triangle Area Chapter, UNC Department of Medicine, Div. of Digestive Diseases & Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #7080, 423 Burnett-Womack Bldg., Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7080. For more information, contact Robert S. Brown Jr., MD, MPH at (919) 966-2516.
OHIO (CLEVELAND): American Liver Foundation support group, Northern Ohio Chapter, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Ab2, Cleveland, OH 44195. For more information, contact Sharon Mendelsohn at (216) 444-8409.
OHIO (COLUMBUS): The HEPCAT support group meets every other Thursday at the OSU Medical Center. For more information contact: Emma Birch 614-337-1450 email: EBirch@aol.com.
OHIO (TOLEDO): American Liver Foundation support group, Toledo Chapter, 419 Saint Clair St., N., Apt. 303, Toledo, OH 43604. For more information, contact Richard Gee at (419) 243-5777.
OREGON (COOS BAY): Hepatitis Education Project sponsored support group. Call 1-800-218-6932 for more information.
OREGON (MEDFORD): American Liver Foundation support group, Southern Oregon Chapter, 2578 Table Rock Road, #15, Medford, OR 97501. For more information, contact Barbara Bransford at (541)857-9245.
PENNSYLVANIA (LANCASTER): Hepatitis C Foundation sponsored support group. For information, contact Jean Collin (717) 394-7110 or (800)324-7305.
PENNSYLVANIA (LEIGH VALLEY): Hepatitis C Foundation sponsored support group. For information, contact Dianne Slagle (610)432-2481 or (800)324-7305.
PENNSYLVANIA (PLYMOUTH MEETING): American Liver Foundation support group, Delaware Valley Chapter, 600 West Germantown Pike, Suite 400, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462-1046. For more information, contact Deborah Katz at (610)260-1497.
TENNESSEE (MEMPHIS): Hepatitis Support Group meets the third Wednesday of every month at 6:00, Lobby Conference Room, St. Francis Hospital, 5959 Park Avenue. For more information, contact UT: (901)448-05813, Shirley: (901)853:4606, or Ann: (901)755-0403
TENNESSEE (NASHVILLE): The Nashville Hep Support group is currently forming. For more information, contact Jim Nevels at (502)886-2754 or email: vgnevels@hop-uky.campus.mci.net.
TENNESSEE (NASHVILLE): Hepatitis C Foundation sponsored support group. For information contact Mary Harrington (615)385-3718 or (800)324-7305.
TEXAS: Texas Liver Coalition, Phone: 1-800-72-LIVER.
TEXAS (WACO): LifeMatch Group. For more information, call: (254)840-9620.
VIRGINIA (NORFOLK): Hepatitis support group sponsored by Schering-Plough meets at Leigh Memorial Hospital, in the private dining room on the 2nd Thursday of each month. For more information, contact Dianna Pullium (757) 552-8587.
WASHINGTON STATE (PASCO): Hepatitis Support Group. Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Pasco, WA held in the Carondelet Room right next to the cafeteria Second Wednesday of every month - 6:30 to 7:30. Contact Person: Cindy Purdin - 509/545-6338. thebreezeone@earthlink.net.
WASHINGTON STATE (KENNEWICK): Hepatitis C support group meets on the third Monday of every month at Kadlec Medical Center, the Columbia Room, Richland WA at 6:30 pm. For more information, contact Joyce at (509)627-8053 or Julie at (509)627-0786.
WASHINGTON STATE: (SEATTLE) Washington State, Hepatitis Education Project. Resource Center located at 4603 Aurora Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98103-6513. Local phone number for Seattle area: 206-732-0311, toll free 1-800-218-6932. Sponsors 20 support groups across the state of Washington, call Resource Center for locations. Web site: http://www.scn.org/health/hepatitis email hep@scn.org.
WASHINGTON STATE: (VANCOUVER). Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases (PKIDs), P.O. Box 5666, Vancouver, WA 98668 Provides service to parents and families all over the US, and some other countries. For more information, contact Trish Parnell at (360)695-0293 voice (360)695-6941 fax or email pkids@pkids.org. A Web site is also available at: http://www.pkids.org/
WASHINGTON STATE (YAKIMA): Hepatitis C Support group meets 4th Monday of each month at 7:00 pm at Wellness House, 210 S. 11th Ave. Suite 40, Yakima, WA 98942. For more information call Ellie at 509-452-5456 or Wellness House at 509-575-6686.
WEST VIRGINIA: Hepatitis C Foundation sponsored support group. For information contact Dana Mack (304)273-2450.
WISCONSIN (MILWAUKEE): American Liver Foundation support group, Wisconsin Chapter, 710 W. Oregon Street, #7, Milwaukee, WI 53204. For more information, contact Deborah Larkins at (414) 257-7477.
