Health
When I quit drugs and drinking, I found out I had chronic persistent hepatitis C. I’d contracted it in 1978 when I was 17. As the years went by, my chances increased for developing cirrhosis, liver cancer, or liver failure. I might even need a liver transplant. I’d heard about interferon and its brutal side effects, including suicidal depression. I had HCV (hepatitis C virus) because I’d been so depressed as a teen, I shot drugs and shared needles in hopes I’d croak.
Read MoreNational Women’s Health Week is May 13–19. During that time the Coalition for Women’s Health Equity convened by Hadassah will hold its second annual summit in Washington, DC. The Coalition’s 28 members include the American Heart Association, Black Women’s Health Imperative, WomenAgainstAlzheimer’s, N.O.W., Planned Parenthood, and other organizations fighting for gender equity in medical prevention, research, funding, and quality care.
Read MoreI spent years fantasy photoshopping myself. I wanted to be tall and slim like Giselle, but my ankles were too thick. I was knock-kneed and short. My hair was brunette and my skin olive. I tried to wish away the dark fuzz on my forearms. I feared my face was ugly, spending hours studying blond classmates with cute turned up noses and wondering why I was so cursed. My rounded belly was the worst flaw of all.
Read MoreAustralian Greg Jefferys was near death with Hep C. The exorbitant cost of HCV treatment set him on a sojourn to find generic pills. Now he is cured and saving lives by helping strangers gain access to affordable Hepatitis C treatment.
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