THE NEWSLETTER OF THE HEpatitiS B FOUNDatioN FaLL 2013 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 5 Crystal Ball Raises $100,000+ No. 5 Cure Agenda at 64 Princeton Workshop 6 CHIPO: HBV and INFORMED African Immigrants 7 A Gay Man’s Thoughts on HBV Learn more about Hepatitis B Foundation’s A Nobel Challenge page 3 Research Institute Renamed in Honor of Dr. Baruch S. Blumberg HBF renames research he Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF) vaccine. (Hepatitis B is the leading tens of millions of lives.” institute the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute Thosted a grand celebration cause of primary liver cancer Established in 2004, the HBF’s in honor of its co- on October 7, 2013 for the official worldwide.) research institute has become the founder Dr. Baruch S. renaming of its research institute in The Hepatitis B Foundation nation’s leading nonprofit research Blumberg, who won honor of HBF co-founder and Nobel benefited enormously from the center with the largest concentration the Nobel Prize for his discovery of the hepatitis Laureate Dr. Baruch S. Blumberg. personal support of Dr. Blumberg. of scientists dedicated to finding a B virus. Front row L to The new Baruch S. Blumberg Institute From the very beginning, Dr. cure for hepatitis B. The research R: Mark Thompson, honors the scientific legacy of Dr. Blumberg served as the HBF’s institute is also an important president and CEO of Blumberg, who won the Nobel Prize co-founder, active member of economic driver, generating over The New York Times Co. in Medicine in 1976 for his discovery the scientific advisory board, and 250 new jobs in the past 6 years and and son-in-law of the late Dr. Blumberg; Jane of the hepatitis B virus. “Distinguished Scholar” until his fostering innovative partnerships Blumberg Thompson; Dr. Baruch Blumberg’s immense death in April 2011. that have created biotech companies Dr. Thomas London, curiosity and energy were hallmarks “This isn’t just a name change for based on new hepatitis B and cancer HBF board member; of his scientific persona. Described us; this is a sincere, motivational, therapies. Mrs. Jean Blumberg; and Dr. Timothy Block, as a pioneer and leading light in the profound statement, not just for us, Dr. Blumberg believed that the president of HBF and scientific community, Dr. Blumberg but for the entire Commonwealth of elimination of hepatitis B was entirely the Blumberg Institute. discovered the hepatitis B virus in Pennsylvania,” said HBF president possible in our lifetime. The newly (Photo by Stuart Lee 1967 and developed the blood test and co-founder Dr. Timothy Block. renamed Baruch S. Blumberg Institute Friedman, Bucks County to detect the virus, and invented the “Dr. Blumberg made one of the most name will inspire researchers to Herald, Oct. 7, 2013) first vaccine in 1969. As he predicted, important contributions to modern continue the search for a cure. it would also be the first anti-cancer medicine, which has literally saved Continued on page 3 Cause for a Cure The Hepatitis B Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure and improving the quality of life for those affected by hepatitis B worldwide through research, education and patient advocacy. HEPATITIS B FOUNDATION From the Editor’s Desk 3805 Old Easton Road Doylestown, PA 18902 Re-energized in Our Mission Phone: (215) 489-4900 www.hepb.org [email protected] hat a difference two years make. In 2011 the Hepatitis B Foundation The Hepatitis B Foundation is a national Wcelebrated its 20th anniversary and we were ready to rest awhile on our nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a laurels after working so hard. But instead, we rallied for new challenges and now cure and improving the quality of life for those affected by hepatitis B worldwide through we have a lot to celebrate in 2013! research, education and patient advocacy. In March, the U.S. Department of Justice struck down HBV discrimination in a settlement with two New Jersey medical schools that had denied enrollment Board of Directors to students with hepatitis B. The historic ruling now officially recognizes HBV Chairman – Joel Rosen, Esq President – Timothy Block, PhD infection as a protected disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act—a Vice President – W. Thomas London, MD Joan M. Block, Co-Founder huge advocacy success in which the Hepatitis B Foundation played a key role. Treasurer – R. Donald Leedy, MBA and Executive Director To fulfill our mission of decreasing the burden of hepatitis B and liver cancer Secretary – Janine Witte in the U.S., we partnered with AAPCHO to establish Hep B United as a national program to Joan Block support local coalitions improve screening, vaccination and linkage to care, particularly among Stanley Broadbent high-risk Asian immigrants. In recognition of Hep B United’s momentum, the CDC recently Alan Brownstein, MPH awarded HBF a major grant to build the coalition and its membership, and to serve as an official Loren Danzis, Esq James Datin partner in their Know Hepatitis B national campaign (see In The News). This year we also created Deborah Faust CHIPO, the first national coalition to address the heavy burden of hepatitis B among African Anthony Ford-Hutchinson, PhD immigrants, which is an area of tremendous need David Griffith (page 6). Please give generously to our Joseph Hediger The big news in 2013, however, is the renaming Thomas Shenk, PhD of our research institute in honor of Nobel 2013 Annual Fund! Gurney Sloan, Esq Walter Tsou, MD Your donation helps us continue our Laureate Dr. Baruch S. Blumberg, who was a co- Catharine Williams founder of the HBF and mentor to many of our valuable research, outreach, and patient Executive Director – Joan Block, RN, BSN scientists and outreach professionals for almost advocacy programs. Thank you in advance for your support of our mission Scientific and Medical Advisory Board 20 years. Dr. Blumberg believed that a cure was to find a cure for hepatitis B and to Harvey Alter, MD possible in our lifetime, so we are honored to improve the lives of those affected take up the challenge with renewed energy and Timothy Block, PhD worldwide. Thank you! Carol Brosgart, MD purpose to fulfill his scientific legacy. Nathaniel Brown, MD Raymond Dwek, DPhil, FRS Anthony Ford-Hutchinson, PhD Lawrence Friedman, MD IN THE NEWS Robert Gish, MD Hie-Won Hann, MD W. Thomas London, MD Hepatitis B Foundation Receives Hep B United’s Strategic Plan William Mason, PhD Brian McMahon, MD 3-Year Grant from CDC Published in J. Community Health Kenneth Rothstein, MD Raymond Schinazi, PhD The Hepatitis B Hep B United coalition Thomas Shenk, PhD Foundation was awarded members developed the Bud Tennant, DVM a highly competitive first national community *Baruch S. Blumberg, MD, DPhil (1992-2011) Cooperative Agreement from the Centers for strategic plan to address HBF Co-Founder & Distinguished Scientist Disease Control’s Division of Viral Hepatitis hepatitis B at their first summit in 2012. to continue building a network of hepatitis The plan focuses on three areas: educating Editor – Joan Block B partners across the country through Hep providers and communities about hepatitis B Managing Editor – Anu Hosangadi B United, a national coalition established by and liver cancer; improving testing, vaccination Contact – [email protected] HBF and AAPCHO. The award will be used and linkage to care; and eliminating perinatal Copyright 2013 Hepatitis B Foundation by HBF over the next three years to support HBV transmission. The Hep B United plan Layout & Design: CP Commercial Printing Hep B United’s organizational development, aligns with the HHS Hepatitis Action Plan and B Informed is a free publication of the technical assistance and capacity building of provides specific goals to implement at the Hepatitis B Foundation with information that is provided solely for educational coalition partners that will ultimately result in local level to advance national priorities. purposes. It is not intended to serve as increased identification of people with chronic Read at hepbunited.org/wp-content/uploads/ medical advice or endorsement of any HBV infection. In addition, Hep B United will 2013/09/Hep-B-United-JCH-Sept-2013.pdf product or company. Readers should discuss all personal medical questions and decisions work closely with the CDC to distribute and Cohen C, Caballero J, Martin M, Weerasinghe I, Ninde M, Block J (Sept. 2013). Eradication of Hepatitis B: A Nationwide Community with a qualified health care provider. support their Know Hepatitis B educational Coalition Approach to Improving Vaccination, Screening, and Linkage campaign materials. to Care. Journal of Community Health;38(5):799-804. 2 Hepatitis B Foundation | B Informed | Fall 2013 hepb.org The Hepatitis B Foundation A Nobel Challenge hosted a private reception Ensuring the Scientific Legacy of Dr. Baruch S. Blumberg for the Blumberg family …continued from page 1 and friends on June 26 to announce the renaming of its research institute in honor of Nobel Laureate Dr. Baruch S. Blumberg (right) with Dr. Dr. Baruch S. Blumberg. Timothy Block, president, Hepatitis B Foundation and The event was held at United its research institute. Therapeutics, which was graciously offered by founder and CEO Dr. Martine Rothblatt. Guest speakers included “The Hepatitis B Foundation is extremely important for the field of Prof. Raymond Dwek, professor and hepatitis B. That is why I became involved. It is a major contributor and director of The Glycobiology Institute its work is critical to finding a cure. I am very committed to making sure of Oxford University; Dr. Anthony this [work] goes forward and advances,” said Dr. Baruch S. Blumberg in Fauci, director of NIAID of the National his last interview (March 2011). Institutes of Health; Dr.