Niagara Health and 40 community partners hosted a World Hepatitis Day educational event on July 28 at Montebello Park in St. Catharines.
With more than 500 attendees, it was the largest turnout in the event's four-year history.
The event raised awareness about hepatitis C and liver health. It also educated the community about the wide range of services the Niagara Health Hepatitis C Care Clinic and other community agencies offer to residents.
At the event, a Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner from Niagara Health’s Hepatitis C Care Clinic and Registered Nurse from Niagara Region Public Health offered confidential hepatitis C testing and health teaching to those interested.
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.
Read a St. Catharines Standard story from the event here.
And also watch a report from TV Cogeco
