Organization - Hepatitis Education Project

The Hepatitis Education Project is committed to providing support, education and advocacy for people affected by hepatitis and to helping raise hepatitis awareness among patients, medical providers and the general public.

Description:
The Hepatitis Education Project was started in 1993 by a group of patients and medical professionals who wanted to provide support and education to others living with chronic hepatitis. Starting as just a single support group, the Hepatitis Education Project formally incorporated in April 1994. From that initial group, HEP began helping other people start their own hepatitis support groups, providing them with technical assistance and support.

At the same time the support group meetings were starting, HEP began printing a newsletter, HEPNews. Copies of the newsletter were sent to patients and to physicians who specialized in gastroenterology and infectious diseases. From an initial mailing of 35 or 40 copies, the newsletter mailing grew to over 250 by the end of the first year. Today our quarterly newsletter goes out to about 4,000 people around the U.S.

In February of 2000, HEP opened one of the only Hepatitis Resource Centers in the country, a walk-in and telephone support center for hepatitis patients and family members. Staffed almost entirely by volunteers, this center has provided counseling and support to thousands of patients since it opened and continues to provide much needed help today.

Some of HEP's other programs include working with local, state and federal legislators and agencies to advocate on behalf of hepatitis patients; offering free hepatitis C testing and vaccination for hepatitis A and B; maintaining a national support hotline; and conducting educational programs for public health, community groups and corrections.

History:
HEP was incorporated in April 1994 as a non-profit corporation, primarily as a patient support group for those with hepatitis C. Our scope has since broadened to include education, advocacy and outreach. We have a quarterly newsletter, HEPNews, which has a circulation of more than 3,000. In 1999, HEP opened the Hepatitis Resource Center in Seattle, the first of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. Our Resource Center is open six days a week. HEP is also an active member of the National Hepatitis C Advocacy Council and works closely with the Washington State legislature and our state's U.S. Congressional delegation. Most of the work at HEP is still done by volunteers, including board members, patients, and relatives.

Contact people:

Poonum Dhokia, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email) Michael Ninburg, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Rich Feffer, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Address:

The Maritime Building 911 Western Avenue, Suite 302 Seattle, WA 98104 (See a map)

Directions:

Nearest Bus Stop: Downtown buses

Miscellaneous Information

Liability
	Yes
Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers?
	Yes
Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18?
	No