Articles

PRESS RELEASE "ANY WAY THE WIND BLOWS"

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:01:33 GMT

ST. LOUIS: The Friends of the Saint Louis University Liver Center invite you to learn more about incorporating green as a part of your lifestyle at the upcoming “Any Way The Wind Blows” event on Saturday, October 16, 2010, from 6:00 until 9:00 pm. The event will be hosted by John and Natalie Alberici, and will take place at the Alberici headquarters, located at 8800 Page Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri.

Eco-friendly companies and organizations will provide information and presentations for guests, in order to demonstrate how even the average consumer can include “green” measures and initiatives as a part of their daily lives. The event will also feature cocktails and hors d’voures with a locally-grown organic focus, along with live music and other “living green”-oriented entertainment and activities.

Representatives from Alberici and their “green” division Vertegy will be on hand to provide tours of the award-winning Alberici headquarters complex. Alberici’s headquarters has been added to the list of the nation’s “greenest” buildings by being awarded LEED® Platinum certification, the highest level awarded by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

Various Booth and Sponsorship levels/opportunities are available for “Any Way The Wind Blows”. Companies and organizations already committed to the event include American Document Destruction, EPC, Metro Lighting, The Bug Store and Vi-Jon Company - with additional businesses being added to the event’s vendor/sponsor roster weekly.

Tickets for the “Any Way The Wind Blows” event are $35 for general admission. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $100 each, and include an exclusive pre-party and a personalized tour opportunity conducted by John Alberici beginning at 5:00 pm prior to the public event. Proceeds from the “Any Way The Wind Blows” event will benefit the Saint Louis University Liver Center.

Just as the “green” movement promotes the preservation and renewal of our earth’s natural resources, the Saint Louis University Liver Center provides patients from around the world with a new hope in the fight against liver diseases.

The Friends of the SLU Liver Center supports the research efforts of the world-renowned Saint Louis University Liver Center for the treatment and cure of liver diseases, and to promote understanding and awareness of liver disease. All money raised by the organization stays in the St. Louis area to perform life-saving research and treat patients in St. Louis.

One of the Center’s better-known patients is Grammy-winner Naomi Judd, who after being diagnosed with hepatitis C, was given just three years to live and now credits Dr. Bacon and his team for saving her life.

Dr. Bruce R. Bacon, Co-director of the SLU Liver Center, notes, “The work that we have been able to do here at the Saint Louis University Liver Center, with the support of the Friends organization, has resulted in the cure of hundreds of hepatitis C patients with medications that have not yet become commercially available and at no cost to the patient.”

Bacon continues, “Each day we are discovering that more people are suffering from liver disease, including hepatitis C and B, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, autoimmune liver disease and liver cancer. Many believe there’s little hope after being diagnosed, but there are new treatments available and there is hope.”

Bacon believes there are critical reasons to support the fundraising efforts of the Friends of the SLU Liver Center:

•    The SLU Liver Center enjoys worldwide recognition as a center of excellence for research and treatment of liver diseases.
•    Hepatitis C affects five million people in the United States. One in 50 people have hepatitis C, and nearly two-thirds of those people don’t know they have it.
•    Hepatitis C can be diagnosed through a simple blood test and is curable in about 60 percent of patients.
•    There are over 30 other liver diseases which can be diagnosed and treated.
•    All the money raised by the Friends of the SLU Liver Center stays in our region to support local research and treatment.

The Friends organization has raised and donated more than $1.9 million for the SLU Liver Center since its inception. The funds help support the critical infrastructure of the Liver Center from faculty salaries to visiting professorships and patient-oriented seminars and research. By leveraging the donations of the Friends, the Liver Center is able to use the funds as“seed grants” for investigators to gather preliminary research data that in turn generates larger grants from outside sources. This seed grant process has generated $18 new dollars from outside the region for every $1 raised locally.

For more information about the Friends of the Saint Louis University Liver Center’s “Any Way The Wind Blows” event sponsorship opportunities, or to purchase tickets (by October 9), please contact Executive Director Leisa Duff via email at lduff@friendsoftheslulc.org or by calling the Friends of the Saint Louis University Liver Center office at (314) 576-3078.

And to learn more about the outstanding Alberici LEED® Platinum certified headquarters, please visit the company’s web site at www.alberici.com.

Gwinetta Love

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:58:18 GMT

My Story began on September 4th 2005, when I donated blood to the American Red Cross.

A week after I donated the blood, I received a letter stating they ran several tests on my blood and I was positive for Hepatitsis C Virus. I was devistated when I recieved the diagnosis on the HCV Virus, but went to see my primary physician (M. Granger) he then in turn sent me to a gastrologist (D. Cline), who did futher testing to ease my mind in the testing done before. After finding the same results, I took it upon myself to learn and investigate this virus futher. I downloaded alot of information on the HCV Virus and it's treatments'. I was in denial about having HCV because I had no symptoms, until September of 2008. I prayed and with faith, also with my family's help, I decided to start the treatment.The treatment was a series of injection's, that were self administerd. The affects of the injection's were like having to go through Chemotherapy. I started the treatment October 1st 2008 until April 1st of 2010. I went back to the doctor for routine blood work and the HCV virus had been detected again. Currently back on the Hepatitis C treatment. What I am asking for is that people join the cause to help us find a cure for the Hepatitis C Virus.

BBQ JAM SIT IN FUNDRAISER AT STOVALL'S GROVE

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 22:28:13 GMT

ST. LOUIS, MO.: The Friends of the Saint Louis University Liver Center will be rocking out to help fund life-saving research and a cure for liver diseases at their BBQ & JAM Sit-In Fundraiser. The event will take place on Saturday, April 10, 2010 from 3:00 until 7:30 pm at Stovall’s Grove, 18720 Stovall Lane in Pacific, Missouri (located off Hwy. 100 near Wildwood.)

Stovall’s Grove, a well-known area dance hall, will be the perfect venue for this year’s event. The building has recently been added to the City of Wildwood Historic Registry. As in previous year’s JAM Sit-In events, the day will be filled with great food and music performed by some of St. Louis’ best local band representatives and outstanding musical talent - Ron Sallee, J Hayes, Wade Long, Kirk Duff, JD Wheeler, Dan Reilly, Toby Tretadue, and many more.

Tickets are $25 per person, and include a BBQ dinner being prepared by members from the St. Louis BBQ Society. The BBQ & JAM event has become a popular annual event, and the Friends organization is hoping to have at least 125 guests in attendance at this year’s event.

The funds raised will benefit the Friends of the SLU Liver Center, which supports the research efforts of the world-renowned Saint Louis University Liver Center for the treatment and cure of liver diseases, and promotes understanding and awareness of liver disease. All money raised by the organization stays in the St. Louis area to perform life-saving research and treat patients in St. Louis.

The Friends organization has raised and donated more than $1.9 million for the SLULC since its inception. The funds help support the critical infrastructure of the Liver Center from faculty salaries to visiting professorships and patient-oriented seminars and research. By leveraging the donations of the Friends, the Liver Center is able to use the “seed money” as a match for larger grants from outside sources that generate $18 new dollars from outside the region for every $1 raised locally.

Sponsorship and ticket information is available through the Friends office by contacting Leisa Duff at 314-576-3078 or lduff@friendsoftheslulc.org. Additional information about the 2010 BBQ & Jam Sit-in Fundraiser can be found at the Friends of the Saint Louis University Liver Center’s website at www.friendsoftheslulc.org.Click here to download press release

STRATHALBYN 2010

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 22:28:01 GMT

ST. LOUIS, MO.: The Friends of the Saint Louis University Liver Center are inviting local area shooting and sporting clays enthusiasts – as well as the organization’s supporters – to join them at their Second Annual Strathalbyn Farms Club event on Saturday, May 15, 2010.

Located on 120 pristine acres in the Weldon Springs area of St. Charles County, Missouri, Strathalbyn Farms Club offers a unique club environment and a perfect country meeting place for the Friends organization. Guests will spend the day in the country enjoying sporting clays, arena horseback riding, hiking and fishing.

Registration begins at 1:30 pm, with the arena horseback riding and the shotgun sports taking place between 2:00 and 5:30 pm. A country-style buffet dinner will be served at 6:00 pm. The fun and festive hayride around the Strathalbyn Farms Club grounds begins at 7:30 pm, and the day’s events will close out with a large bonfire where guests can enjoy cigars and s’mores.

Representatives from Marco Polo Outfitters L.C. and Browning® will be on hand to demo shotguns and provide on-site training for shooters. Other sponsors of the Friends’ Strathalbyn Farms Club event include Presenting Sponsor, Special Design Healthcare, along with Gilead Pharmaceuticals, MSG Jewelers, Winchester®, Jon’s Pipe Shop and Outdoors, Inc. The Friends organization is also looking for additional event sponsors at various investment levels.

The Strathalbyn Farms Club event is one of the fundraising events sponsored by the Friends of the SLU Liver Center, which supports the research efforts of the world-renowned Saint Louis University Liver Center for the treatment and cure of liver diseases, and promotes understanding and awareness of liver disease. All money raised by the organization stays in the St. Louis area to perform life-saving research and treat patients in St. Louis.

The Friends organization has raised and donated more than $1.9 million for the SLULC since its inception. The funds help support the critical infrastructure of the Liver Center from faculty salaries to visiting professorships and patient-oriented seminars and research. By leveraging the donations of the Friends, the Liver Center is able to use the “seed money” as a match for larger grants from outside sources that generate $18 new dollars from outside the region for every $1 raised locally.

Tickets for the upcoming Strathalbyn Farms Club event vary by the activity level selected by each guest. Those guests who want to participate in the shooting sports can choose from two ticket prices – the $150 ticket includes 50 rounds of sporting clays and Winchester shells, and the $180 ticket will double those amounts to 100. Guests choosing not to participate in the shotgun sports can purchase tickets for $110 per person. All tickets include the buffet dinner and Club activities.

Sponsorship and ticket information is available through the Friends office by contacting Kathi Miller at 314-576-3078 or kmiller@friendsoftheslulc.org. Additional information about the Strathalbyn Farms Club event can be found at the Friends of the Saint Louis University Liver Center’s website at www.friendsoftheslulc.org.

FRIENDS OF THE SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY LIVER CENTER PRESENTS “THE ABC’S OF LIVER DISEASE” AT SAINT LOUIS SCIENCE CENTER

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:37:44 GMT

Continuing Education Event For School Nurses To Feature Nationally Acclaimed Speakers

ST. LOUIS, MO.: The Friends of the Saint Louis University Liver Center will be presenting “The ABC’s of Liver Disease” at the Saint Louis Science Center, 5050 Oakland Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110 on Wednesday, January 20, 2010. The presentation is sponsored by the biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, and will take place from 1:00 to 3:00 pm in the Science Center’s Life Science Lab.

This inaugural educational event will be held for St. Louis area school educators and nurses, where they can learn first-hand from the doctors of the Saint Louis University Liver Center about the trends in liver disease among school-aged children, and what activities are putting them at risk for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and other liver diseases.

Nurses who attend this presentation will receive 2.0 Contact Hours of continuing education through the Saint Louis University School of Nursing, an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Missouri Nurses Association.

The presentation will feature two nationally acclaimed speakers from Saint Louis University’s Liver Center – Bruce R. Bacon, M.D. and Brent A. Tetri M.D. Dr. Ajay Jain will join theses two for the Q&A session following the presentation.

Dr. Bacon is the James F. King, MD Endowed Chair in Gastroenterology, Professor of Internal Medicine, and Director of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Dr. Bacon’s research has largely been in iron metabolism in the liver, and he was a member of a research team that discovered the gene that is abnormal in patients who have hereditary hemochromatosis. He has been honored for his research with the 1989 Marcel Simon Award for best research in hemochromatosis by a young investigator. In 1993, he was elected into the American Society for Clinical Investigation. Dr. Bacon’s basic research has been funded by a grant from the NIH to examine signaling pathways in hepatic stellate cells.

Dr. Tetri is also a Professor of Internal Medicine and a member of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. He joined the faculty of Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center in July 1991 and has an active research interest in the mechanisms of pancreatic fibrogenesis and treatment of fatty liver disorders. Dr. Tetri uses pancreatic stellate cells to better understand and prevent the process that causes chronic pancreatitis. He is also an internationally recognized expert in disorders of the liver caused by insulin resistance and fat accumulation in the liver.

This special event is being presented by the Friends of the SLU Liver Center, which supports the research efforts of the world-renowned Saint Louis University Liver Center for the treatment and cure of liver diseases, and promotes understanding and awareness of liver disease. All money raised by the organization stays in the St. Louis area to perform life-saving research and treat patients in St. Louis.

“Each day we are discovering that more people are suffering from liver disease, including hepatitis C and B, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, auto immune liver disease and liver cancer,” said Dr. Bacon. “Many believe there’s little hope after being diagnosed, but there are new treatments and there is hope.”

Unfortunately, liver diseases aren’t relegated to the adult population. Dr. Tetri notes "As our children and adolescents become more sedentary and overweight, we are seeing more fatty liver disease in young people and sometimes this has already progressed to cirrhosis in teenagers. This combination of excess sugar and snack foods, plus sedentary screen time is causing diabetes and liver disease in our children that was mostly found in older adults just two decades ago.”

Dr. Bacon adds, “Educational and prevention programs funded through the Friends organization are crucial for local health providers, educators and most importantly, children and adults in the St. Louis area.”

He believes there are critical reasons to support Friends of the SLU Liver Center:
-    The Saint Louis University Liver Center enjoys worldwide recognition as a center of excellence. -    Hepatitis C affects 5 million people in the U.S. One in 60 people have hepatitis C, and nearly two-thirds of those people do not know they have it.
-    Hepatitis C can be diagnosed with a simple blood test and is curable in about 60% of patients.
-    In addition to hepatitis C, there are over 30 other liver diseases which can be diagnosed and for which there are treatments.
-    All money raised by the Friends of the Saint Louis University Liver Center stays in the St. Louis area to support programs in education and research in liver diseases.

The Friends organization has raised and donated more than $1.7 million for the SLULC since its inception. The funds help support the critical infrastructure of the Liver Center from faculty salaries to visiting professorships and patient-oriented seminars and research. By leveraging the donations of the Friends, the Liver Center is able to use the “seed money” as a match for larger grants from outside sources that generate $18 new dollars from outside the region for every $1 raised locally.

“The ABC’s of Liver Disease” presentation is open to all St. Louis metro area school nurses, both public and private. Admission and parking are free, but seating is limited. RSVP by calling Kathi Miller at 314-576-3078 or via email at kmiller@friendsoftheslulc.org by Monday, January 18, 2010.

7th ANNUAL DENIM & DIAMONDS BENEFIT

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:43:57 GMT

“BRING ON THE BLING!”

FRIENDS OF THE SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY LIVER CENTER TO HOST THE 7th ANNUAL “DENIM & DIAMONDS” BENEFIT

Proceeds of Gala Event to Benefit World-Renowned Research/Treatment Center

ST. LOUIS, MO.: The Friends of the Saint Louis University Liver Center are planning a “bling-a-ding ding” celebration for their 7th annual “Denim & Diamonds” event, taking place on Saturday, September 26 from 6:30 until midnight at the Westport Sheraton Lakeside Chalet.

Just as the top-ranked Saint Louis University Liver Center is a “diamond’ within the St. Louis medical community, the Friends organization is inviting supporters to dress casually in their best denim, but to wear their best “bling” to show their support of the organization and the life-saving research and treatment they provide to patients from all over the world.

KSDK-TV Newschannel 5 Investigative Reporter and Anchor Leisa Zigman is the Master of Ceremonies for the evening’s festivities, which will include a cocktail reception, a sumptious three-course sit-down dinner, a live and silent auction with fabulous prizes such as an exclusive Jimmy Buffett concert package. Guests will close out the evening with great dance music from the musical group “Siren”.

Mr. and Mrs. John Alberici will serve as the Honorary Chairpersons. Major “Denim & Diamonds” supporters include the following companies and organizations:

Gold Level – Schering Plough Corporation, Special Design Health Care
Silver Level – Alberici Foundation and Express Scripts
Bronze Level – Weiss Brentwood Volvo, Dula Foundation, Salix Pharmaceuticals, Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Romark Laboratories, Pharmassett, Inc. and Novartis

Other sponsors include: Roche, St. Louis Bank, Delmar Gardens, Dowd Bennett LLP and Huntleigh Securities.

The “Denim & Diamonds” event is the annual major fundraiser, sponsored by Friends of the SLU Liver Center, which supports the research efforts of the world-renowned Saint Louis University Liver Center for the treatment and cure of liver diseases, and promotes understanding and awareness of liver disease. All money raised by the organization stays in the St. Louis area to perform life-saving research and treat patients in St. Louis.

One of the SLU Liver Center’s better-known patients is Naomi Judd, who was part of the Grammy-winning duo “The Judds” and is a best-selling author and motivational speaker.

After being diagnosed with hepatitis C and given just three years to live, Naomi Judd became a patient at the Saint Louis University Liver Center and credits co-founder Dr. Bruce R. Bacon and his team for saving her life. Judd, who initially kicked off the first “Denim & Diamonds” event in 2003, will return to support the Friends organization and SLU Liver Center as the Inspirational Speaker for the “Denim & Diamonds 7” gala event.

Dr. Bacon believes there are critical reasons to support Friends of the SLU Liver Center:

The Saint Louis University Liver Center enjoys worldwide recognition as a center of excellence.
Hepatitis C affects 5 million people in the U.S. One in 60 people have hepatitis C, and nearly two-thirds of those people do not know they have it.
Hepatitis C can be diagnosed with a simple blood test and is curable in about 60% of patients.
In addition to hepatitis C, there are over 30 other liver diseases which can be diagnosed and for which there are treatments.
All money raised by the Friends of the Saint Louis University Liver Center stays in the St. Louis area to support programs in education and research in liver diseases.

Tickets for the “Denim & Diamonds 7” event are $200 per person, or a table of ten is available for $2,000. The Friends organization is also looking for additional corporate sponsors at various investment levels. Information about sponsorships and ticket reservations are available through the Friends office by calling 314-576-3078

Additional information about the “Denim & Diamonds 7” event at Westport Sheraton Lakeside Chalet hotel can be found at the Friends of the Saint Louis University Liver Center’s website at www.friendsoftheslulc.org, or by calling 314-576-3078.

For further information, contact: Leisa Duff 314-576-3078

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME!

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:43:10 GMT

JULY 29, 2009 CARDINALS VS. DODGERS BASEBALL TICKETS

TO BENEFIT FRIENDS OF THE SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY LIVER CENTER

ST. LOUIS, MO.: Play Ball! Baseball fans are invited to join the Friends of the Saint Louis University Liver Center as they enjoy a night at Busch Stadium for a special fundraiser. The organization has 700 tickets available for the Cardinals vs. Dodgers baseball game on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 7:15 pm.

The tickets are $32 each (for Section 129 and 130) and $25 each (for Sections 363, 365 and 367), with $10 from each ticket sold to benefit the Friends of the Saint Louis University Liver Center.

Tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis - and when they are gone, they are gone! In order to purchase and receive delivery of these special benefit tickets, the public should contact the Friends of the Saint Louis University Liver Center no later than July 15, 2009.

With the sale of 500 tickets, the organization will receive an honorary ceremony where Saint Louis University Liver Center Co-Director Dr. Bruce Bacon will get to throw out the first pitch of the game!

The Friends of the SLU Liver Center supports the research efforts of the world-renowned Saint Louis University Liver Center for the treatment and cure of liver diseases, and to promote understanding and awareness of liver disease. All money raised by the organization stays in the St. Louis area to perform life-saving research and treat patients in St. Louis.

One of the Center’s better-known patients is Grammy-winner Naomi Judd, who after being diagnosed with hepatitis C, was given just three years to live and now credits Dr. Bacon and his team for saving her life.

Dr. Bruce Bacon, co-founder of the SLU Liver Center, notes, “The work that we have been able to do here at the Saint Louis University Liver Center, with the support of the Friends organization, has resulted in the cure of hundreds of hepatitis C patients with medications that have not yet become commercially available and at no cost to the patient.”

Bacon continues, “Each day we are discovering that more people are suffering from liver disease, including hepatitis C and B, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, auto immune liver disease and liver cancer. Many believe there’s little hope after being diagnosed, but there are new treatments and there is hope.”

Bacon believes there are critical reasons to support Friends of the SLU Liver Center:

The SLU Liver Center enjoys worldwide recognition as a center of excellence for research and treatment of liver diseases.
Hepatitis C affects five million people in the United States. One in 50 people have hepatitis C and nearly two-thirds of those people don’t know they have it.
Hepatitis C can be diagnosed through a simple blood test and is curable in about 60 percent of patients.
There are over 30 other liver diseases which can be diagnosed and treated.
All the money raised by the Friends of the SLU Liver Center stay in our region to support local research and treatment.

The Friends organization has raised and donated more than $1.7 million for the SLULC since its inception. The funds help support the critical infrastructure of the Liver Center from faculty salaries to visiting professorships and patient-oriented seminars and research. By leveraging the donations of the Friends, the Liver Center is able to use the “seed money” as a match for larger grants from outside sources that generate $18 new dollars from outside the region for every $1 raised locally.

For more information about the upcoming Cardinals vs. Dodgers game with the Friends of the Saint Louis University Liver Center or to purchase the special benefit game tickets by July 15, please contact Executive Director Leisa Duff via email at lduff@friendsoftheslulc.org or by calling the Friends of the Saint Louis University Liver Center office at (314) 576-3078.

Kathy Bryson

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:12:02 GMT

During my thirty years as a nurse I was exposed to many forms of body fluids, mainly blood. Nurses weren't required or encouraged to wear gloves until the AIDS scare and even then it wasn't strict protocol. Needle sticks were also common as safety measures weren't in place until after 2000. Testing nurses after an exposure for HCV was not standard until 1998.

In October 2003, I had a needle stick. Following new hospital policy I had blood drawn for an exposure from an unknown source. The tests revealed that I was positive for HCV. I had no symptoms other than feeling a little tired.

I was referred to Dr. Bruce Bacon by my primary physician. Blood work was obtained and a liver biopsy scheduled to determine the amount of scarring.

On December 11, 2003 I was informed that the HCV had progressed to primary liver cancer ( Heptocellular Carcinoma or HCC). HCC carries a poor prognosis with a survival rate of less than 5% over a year.

Dr. Bacon sent me to the SLU Cancer Center where Dr. DiBisceglie and the cancer team aggressively fought the cancer. Two surgeries and four months of Chemotherapy followed.

I've reached the 3 1/2 year mark of no recurrence. Dr. Richart, my Oncologist says he is not ready to deem that I'm in remission yet, but I'm looking forward to the 5 year anniversary.

Primary liver cancer (HCC) is one of the only cancers on the rise with 75% of this cancer a result of HCV.

It is estimated that there are 5 million people with HCV and have no idea as I didn't. Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop has warned “We stand at the precipice of a grave threat to our public health. It affects people from all walks of life, in every state, in every country. And unless we do something about it soon, it will kill more people than AIDS.

The more research, the more the physicians can fight this deadly disease. Your donation can save lives.

Naomi Judd

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:31:27 GMT

"After my initial appearance at the 2003 event, I'm thrilled to be back as the Inspirational Speaker for the 2009 "Denim & Diamonds" fundraiser to support the Saint Louis University Liver Center."

"As a living example that Dr. Bacon and the Saint Louis University Liver Center CAN cure patients with liver diseases, the monies raised by the Friends organization through events like Denim & Diamonds is crucial to fund important, life-saving research."

"I invite supporters and the public to join me again for this important event to benefit the Saint Louis University Liver Center."

View Naomi's Website

View Event Details

Report from the European Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (EASL)

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:10:39 GMT

Drs. Bacon and Di Bisceglie recently attended the 43rd Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (EASL) in Milan, Italy from April 22-27, 2008. The Saint Louis University Liver Center was well represented at this meeting as Drs. Bacon and Di Bisceglie were co-authors on 7 presentations.

Several bits of information from this meeting are of interest to supporters of the SLULC. The final results of the IDEAL trial were presented. This large multi-center study of patients with hepatitis C in the United States compared the effectiveness of PEG-interferon 2a (Pegasys) with PEG-interferon 2b (PEG-Intron) along with ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C due to genotype 1 HCV. The results showed that the sustained response rates (cure rates) were the same between the two medications at 40% and 41%. Side effect profiles were also similar.

Also, final results of a large trial called COPILOT were reported. This study investigated maintenance therapy with PEG-interferon 2b in patients with advanced liver disease and showed that there may be a benefit in those patients who have portal hypertension with a decreased incidence of bleeding from enlarged veins in the esophagus (esophageal varices). It is unclear whether this benefit should result in a change in our practice. Finally, numerous results were reported of studies evaluating protease inhibitors and polymerase inhibitors, the new “small molecules” that are being developed as adjunctive treatments for patients with hepatitis C. It seems apparent that these new treatments will indeed change the way in which patients with hepatitis C are treated; although final results with FDA approval will not be available for 3 to 4 years.

All in all, the meeting was very successful and a tremendous amount of new information was presented.

Good News for Some Hard-To-Treat Hepatitis C Patients

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:04:21 GMT

ST. LOUIS - In a multi-center trial led by a Saint Louis University researcher, investigators found that a new combination therapy of daily consensus interferon and ribavirin helps some hepatitis C patients who have not responded to previous treatment. The findings, published in the June issue of Hepatology, offer a new option for hepatitis C patients, and may be effective even for those patients with factors that make their condition difficult to treat.

"This represents an important advance for difficult to treat hepatitis C patients who have failed to respond to traditional therapy," said Bruce Bacon, M.D., director of the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and co-director of the Saint Louis University Liver Center.

About 4 million people in the U.S. have been infected with hepatitis C; an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 people die from complications each year in this country. Hepatitis C is caused by a virus, transmitted by contact with blood, and may initially be asymptomatic. For patients who develop chronic hepatitis C infection, inflammation of the liver may develop, leading to fibrosis and cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), as well as other complications including liver cancer and death.

For patients with chronic hepatitis C, the prognosis varies. About half fully recover after an initial course of pegylated interferon and ribavirin anti-viral therapy that may last from six months to a year.

The remaining patients, known as non-responders, may improve but the virus is not eliminated. These patients are at greatest risk for worsening, and subsequent treatments have shown limited effectiveness for this group. In addition, those with genotype 1 (a particular genetic variation of the virus), those with high baseline virus levels, those with advanced liver disease and African American patients are all less likely to respond well to treatment.

The study looked at 515 patients at 44 different sites. Patients were given either one of two doses of daily consensus interferon and ribavirin, or no treatment.

For patients with less severe liver damage who had shown some response to initial treatment, the success rate was above 30 percent. The overall results showed that, for patients who had been unresponsive to initial treatment, consensus interferon and ribavirin worked for about 7 percent of patients given the lower dose and about 11 percent of patients given the higher dose of consensus interferon and ribavirin.

"This study shows that select patients who have failed to respond to prior therapy are candidates for retreatment with consensus interferon and ribavirin," Bacon said.

The study, Daily-Dose Consensus Interferon and Ribavirin: Efficacy of Combined Therapy (DIRECT) was funded by Valeant Pharmaceuticals and 3 Rivers Pharmaceuticals.

Robin Ude

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:58:24 GMT

July 17th 2001 my husband Steven Adelman died from complications of liver disease due to Hepatitis C. Steven was 45, outgoing, a smart businessman, a great handball player and a friend to so many people. He lived the last 8 years of his life knowing that he had hepatitis, and hiding it from everyone he knew and loved. Steven felt the stigma of the disease would prevent him from doing the things he loved to do with the time he had left. Not even his father or twin sister knew until the end. We lived in silence and fear. We knew little about the course of the disease and spent much of the time in denial. He was lucky in that he had few severe symptoms until the last few months of his life. He experienced vassal bleeds on one occasion that almost took his life. His true decline only lasted two weeks. Two weeks of intensive care, blood transfusions around the clock, dialysis, surgical procedures, pain and tears. It's hard to describe the horror Steven endured or the things that we went through watching him bleed to death, because his liver was no longer functioning. After Steven's death, I was consumed with thoughts of what we could have done different. If we had only known more about the disease and taken it more serious, would he still be alive? If his friends and family would have been in on the secret would they have been more supportive of his living a healthier lifestyle? If he had given treatment a chance could he have been cured? A year passed and I was invited to participate in the formation of a new charity which consisted of a group of liver disease patients, their friends, family and other supporters. This became known as The Friends of the Saint Louis University Liver Center. This group of Friends raised over $500,000.00 in our first two day fundraising event known as the Denim and Diamonds Weekend. After the event I was asked to be the first President of the Friends Board of Directors. Together the board members and volunteers have made a commitment to raise money to help support the research at the Saint Louis University Liver Center, to eliminate Hepatitis C and many other liver diseases. These monies have been used to generate additional funding and have led to millions of dollars in additional research grants. We can not begin to imagine the awareness that has been raised along the way. My involvement with the Friend's organization had given me the opportunity to speak out and no longer have to be silent about this horrible disease, that kills so many. I do not want to see others suffer with this disease alone. My work is a tribute to Steven and his love. I am thankful that his life brought so many of you into mine. I am grateful for your support since his passing. Please help in honoring his life and continuing this important mission with whatever you feel you can contribute to our cause by using the secure online payment method below. Gratefully, Robin Ude, Ph.D.

Dan Tinnes

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:57:12 GMT

Once I heard I had Hepatitis C, I was devastated. Not knowing anything about Hep C really scared me. After hearing the diagnosis, my wife and I did a lot of research about the disease; what to do, how to treat it, what caused it, etc. We realized in a large percentage of cases, Hep C could be beat. So I started working out to build muscle mass and gained some weight, so I would not have to miss much work. While doing the research, I also had to find a doctor to cure the disease. Many people said Dr. Bacon and his clinic was the best. People had excellent reviews about Dr. Bacon's practice and the SLULC. They were right on! The SLULC staff helped me the greatest with my work. The knowledge at the clinic made me feel confident about the whole process. The hardest part during the treatment (which is a form of chemotherapy), was trying to continue to work, especially the last three months of treatment. I know by looking at me you couldn' tell I was sick, but my energy was getting low and my attitude was not the best either. I hung in there as much as I could but still missed a lot of work. During those last three months, I was at my weakest point with chemotherapy. The main goal was achieved and I did beat the Hepatitis C. If you are a reader recently diagnosed with Hepatits C and will be starting the treatments, I recommend you follow the strict structure and drink lots of water and Gatorade. Also the chemotherapy bands did help me for the weekends after the injection. There is light at the end.

As a friend of the Saint Louis University Liver Center, I ask you to support SLULC research which will help find ways to better treat those affected with various liver diseases and ultimately find a cure!! Please scroll down to use the secure payment method below, and a contribution of any amount is greatly appreciated! Thanks Dr. Bacon, my family is very grateful!

Anida Bauer

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:53:31 GMT

Dear Family and Friends,

My life began to take a drastic turn when I was 22 years old. Three days before my graduation from Saint Louis University I had a tragic accident on a riding lawn mower. Because of my deep faith in God, my wonderful family and friends, and a very special guy in my life and his family, I was able to walk again and live my dreams.

I didn't realize until 30 years later that there would be a connection between my amputation and my diagnosis of Hepatitis C. I diagnosed myself after reading a front- page article in the Saint. Louis Post Dispatch. The article recommended that a specific blood test to detect Hepatitis C should be given to anyone who had a blood transfusion from 1969 to 1990. Frightened, I realized in a split second that I had all the symptoms that the article described because I had a blood transfusion in 1969 as a result of my amputation. Naomi Judd also had Hepatitis C and flew into Saint Louis to receive her treatments from Saint Louis University's renowned liver specialist, Dr. Bruce Bacon. How blessed I felt to have him so close and to know that there was hope! After six months of interferon treatments, my hopes were dashed when after a year of undetectable virus, it returned. But I still believed in miracles, so I joined a new study under Dr. Bacon's supervision in which I injected myself once a week with a more powerful pegylated interferon and oral ribavirin. Living through 11 months of chemotherapy is rough but faith, family, and friends and the will for a cure made it all possible.

Now, five years later, I am free of Hepatitis C Virus! I feel so excited about the new research and cures that are within our reach! I ask you to help me raise awareness and money to fund research at Saint Louis University Liver Center so others, like me, can experience the miracle of a cure. God Bless you.

Nancy Marsh

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:51:46 GMT

Hello Family & Friends,

My story begins in 1992 when my blood donation for a friend was rejected due to having "antibodies for hepatitis non-A, non-B". My blood was tested and I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. From 1992 through 1996 I did two 6 month treatments followed by a 20 month research program (similar to chemotherapy). Still not responding to treatment, in 1997 I qualified for yet another research program using a combination of drugs (interferon and ribavirin). Finally my body responded and 12 months later there was no sign of the virus-I was cured! I've been virus free since April of 1997! For me, the research proved successful!

I became involved with the "Friends" because of Dr. Bruce Bacon, the world renowned doctor who led me to a cure. The mission of the Friends of the Saint Louis University Liver Center is to raise money for research. In 1992 there was little info and few treatments available for patients diagnosed with what was then known as a "terminal" disease.... It was amazing to watch research uncover the variety of virus types (called genotypes) there were. Research that has occurred since I was diagnosed now results in many more cures. Further, with the advent of newer drugs (eg, protease and polymerase inhibitors) even more people will be cured in the future!

There is much more research to be done and I encourage you to join me in the battle. Please help by making a donation to the Friends of the Saint Louis University Liver Center using their secure payment process. If you're unable to donate, please volunteer. Your donation and helping hands can be the major catalyst on the road to a cure! Thank You!