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December 17th 15:44

Note: I have found out that applying for the medical use of marijuana has it's side effects. One being, you will be followed around by the authorities and watched continually. Another is the new drug trials, it is my past experience being on morphine and switching to marijuana so the new drug has all effectiveness as narcotics harm the liver and are not good for you or your liver. The treatment can be worse,  some even compared it like chemo. Myself I feel that is extreme, but that is what I have been told. My experience is; I can not compare it to chemo as I never and never hope to be on it ever. The thing is this, it lessens your chances to a degree, in certain individuals one thinks. No it effects everyone differently, Point made. Liver transplant protocols as well; one should look into as it may effect your chances now directed towards a third time round treatment. That is something others have not had the chance to see and are no longer with us. {RIP}  Now it is on my doorstep per-say, for future use, but it's another thing to be put on a treatment; once it is experimental and the study group has been picked and set.  So check it all out and look after yourself at all times and get into a routine of documenting your health daily for future references if need be it is always something to be desirous but is it to be prepared at all time most stressing, I think it is but we do what we must and that is never give up hope never quit trying never quit ever and wake up grateful for the day you now have at hand and make it a day to be remembered or not the choice is up to you as sometimes our health gets in the way. This is just a heads up I ran into applying for my new 3rd time round treatment protocol. I wish you well.

NEWS FLASH

    
OTTAWA
, Dec. 15 /CNW Telbec/ - 

Canada

's New Government is one step closer

to finalizing compensation to individuals infected with hepatitis C from the

blood system prior to January 1, 1986, and after July 1, 1990.

 
The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, said today that the

federal government and plaintiffs' counsel have concluded the final settlement

agreement which will now proceed to the Courts for scrutiny and approval.

 
 "This step marks a milestone in our commitment to get money into the

hands of those infected, prior to 1986 and after July 1, 1990, as quickly as

possible," said Minister Clement. 

 
"Two steps remain before these people begin

to receive compensation payments. The first is to seek approvals of the Courts

in 
British Columbia
, 
Alberta
, 
Quebec
 and 

Ontario

, where the class actions are

filed. The second step is the creation of the administrative structure to

receive and to evaluate applications.

"We are working as quickly as possible to provide compensation to the

class," said Minister Clement.

The federal government will set aside $1.023 billion (composed of

$962 million for compensation, $20 million in administrative costs,

$37.29 million in legal fees plus applicable taxes, and $500,000 in

disbursements plus applicable taxes) for the pre-1986/post-1990 final

settlement agreement, which is based, to the extent possible, on parity with

the federal share of compensation for those infected from 1986-1990.

 
The final settlement agreement sets out the guidelines for providing

compensation to the pre-1986/post-1990 class. It expands on the details

already provided by Prime Minister Stephen Harper on July 25, 2006, and

includes the benefit schedules.

 
 Health 

Canada

 and counsel representing the pre-1986/post-1990 class will

provide further information as it becomes available. Class members are advised

to contact their class counsel for details on the settlement. The information

on how to apply will be issued at a later date as it becomes available, and it

will be posted as well on the Health Canada Web site.

 
Egalement disponible en français

For further information: Media Enquiries: Carole Saindon, Health 

Canada

,

(613) 957-1588; Erik Waddell, Office of the Honourable Tony Clement, Federal

Minister of Health, (613) 957-0200; Public Enquiries: (613) 957-2991,

1-866-225-0709; Health 

Canada

 news releases are available on the Internet at

 
www.healthcanada.gc.ca/media

I have taken some time off for Christmas and will be back in the new year. Till then follow direction on compensation claims and keep all the notes and contacts and whom you spoke too and what time etc., if you can; record everything while fresh. Then if your still having problems please e-mail me with your concerns. I know a few have slipped through my e-mail (new progy) and some HepC e-mails were removed as Spam by accident for this I will be more careful. Please keep in touch if you have concerns. The HeCSC site is still working, and it is just so busy it is hard for me to keep up now. They have instructions on their site as well. I wish everyone well and hopefully get your compensation/s soon.

New Updates
 I am getting more requests for meetings in support group format. I feel under the newer compensation act and now more people coming out and stating; I in-fact need a support group! To inform myself and contact other infected heppers as I call the people at meetings. Anonymity is a must in said meetings as it may cost some one their job or position in community efforts etc.. Yes the list goes on but now again I reflect upon the past and how the meetings in-fact again failed because people are scared to be affiliated in any way with this disease. Now I have my own theory's about meetings and the fact anonymity is so much, so expected, that trust issues come out in the meetings, and adverse effects take place yes, but that's life. If you want something sometimes it revolves around lifestyle and place of meeting/s, and people or life styles at said meetings. It's a "we" disease people for meetings, and a "me" disease at meetings. We own our disease, as we live with it daily and will till a cure if found, and myself I feel that's just around the corner. We do have the USA to thank for that, but are they going to help us here, do yaw think? So it's a Canadian "we" program, (we must be strong) and we must have information and if meetings are desired. I am more than willing to make them happen, if... I get enough names and numbers only. Then I can make it happen.

New information about the compensation pre and post can be found on the federal site and since I am a member and telephone support for them. My new number is 1-306-545-1628.
The link for the compensation information and downloads is here: http://www.hepatitiscsociety.com/index.htm

I am willing to speak with anyone about HCV and have some fresh ideas I haven't talked about with my director as yet so I will be posting updated materials as it comes to me. I wish everyone well and success and some comfort with this history breaking event. Finally after 17+ years of service work it is paying off.

More Canadians being diagnosed with hepatitis

    2006 survey reveals Canadians do not understand hepatitis or know their 
    chances of contracting it

    TORONTO, March 24 /CNW/ - An alarming number of Canadians - more than
50 per cent of the population - are not aware that hepatitis is a form of
liver disease and more than half mistakenly believe they are at low risk (54%)
or have no risk at all (25%) of contracting hepatitis, according to a new
survey commissioned by the Canadian Liver Foundation.
    In Canada, one in 10 people has a liver disease and more than half a
million people currently have a form of viral hepatitis. According to the
World Health Organization, the rate of hepatitis is rising as is chronic liver
disease. For this reason, there is a worldwide need for more research to
develop better prevention and treatment methods.
    "The results of this survey are dramatic because many people are not even
aware they have a form of hepatitis until serious liver damage has occurred,"
notes Gary Fagan, president, Canadian Liver Foundation. "It is clear that more
education is required to ensure Canadians have a better understanding of the
seriousness of hepatitis, the risks associated with it and how to reduce their
chances of contracting it."
    Asked to define hepatitis, fewer than half were aware it is a form of
liver disease, 31 per cent of Canadians believe it is a blood-borne infection,
10 per cent think it is a sexually transmitted disease, and four per cent
believe it is a form of food poisoning. Nearly one in 10 Canadians (7%) could
not define hepatitis at all.
    Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver that can be caused by a variety of
factors, including: viruses, alcohol, obesity, chemicals including medications
or your own immune system. Viral hepatitis, such as hepatitis A, B or C, is
caused by specific viruses that are transmitted in many ways, for example:

    -  Hepatitis A: by eating or drinking food or water contaminated by fecal
       matter of an infected individual.
    -  Hepatitis B: by infected blood and body fluids. It is easily
       transmitted through unprotected sex with an infected person and from
       mother to newborn child.
    -  Hepatitis C: by blood to blood contact with an infected individual
       including sharing injection needles and drug equipment, tattoos and
       body piercing using unsterile equipment and sharing personal items
       like razors or toothbrushes.

    "The population in Canada with chronic hepatitis B and C acquired their
disease many years ago. In the next decade, unless we are more successful in
finding and treating patients, we expect to see rates of cirrhosis, liver
cancer and liver failure to increase two to threefold," says Dr. Morris
Sherman, president, Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver. "There is
a lack of recognition at federal and provincial levels of government of the
magnitude of this problem. With some exceptions, few jurisdictions are doing
anything about it. The economic burden resulting from this will be severe."
    The survey also revealed that young men (aged 18 to 34 years) are most
likely (61%) to think they are at low risk of getting hepatitis and
18 per cent believe they are at no risk at all. Risky behaviour in general,
often characteristic of this age group, may actually put them at further risk
of contracting hepatitis.
    In contrast, young women (aged 18 to 34 years) are most likely to think
they are at risk of contracting hepatitis, with 24 per cent believing that
risk is moderately high.
    "There is a general lack of understanding about the risks associated with
contracting a form of viral hepatitis," said Dr. Stephen Wong, assistant
professor and the program director of the Section of Hepatology for the
University of Manitoba. "Simple measures such as not sharing needles, razor
blades and toothbrushes, washing your hands after using the washroom, the use
of sterile tattooing and piercing equipment, and practicing safe sex can
significantly reduce the risks of infection."

    About the Liver
    When asked to name the most common form of liver disease, Canadians (49%)
mentioned cirrhosis more than any other form. In the Prairies (Manitoba,
Alberta and Saskatchewan) 41 per cent of residents could not name any form of
liver disease whatsoever, compared to 22 per cent in Quebec.
    In fact, liver disease is Canada's fourth leading cause of death by
disease. The most common forms of liver disease include fatty liver disease,
gallstones, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. According to a recent report, fatty
liver disease, linked to obesity, is now the number one cause of abnormal
liver test results(1).

    About the Canadian Liver Foundation
    Established in 1969, the Canadian Liver Foundation was the first
organization worldwide to provide support for research and education into the
causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of liver disease. Each year, the
Foundation provides vital funding to Canadian researchers to ensure the search
for treatments and cures continues. The Foundation serves patients, families,
health care professionals and the general public through its volunteer
chapters across Canada. For more information, visit www.liver.ca or call     
1-800-563-5483.

    CLF/CASL/Discover the World of Hepatology Conference
    The Canadian Liver Foundation recognizes the importance of partnerships
to address liver disease and liver health. For this reason, a number of key
groups are meeting in Toronto March 30 - April 2 to address the importance of
liver health and the need for more hepatologists to treat individuals with
liver disease, including:

    -  CASL (Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver)
    -  Discover the World of Hepatology (co-organized by CLF & University of
       Manitoba)
    -  CAHN (Canadian Association of Hepatology Nurses)
    -  NCRTP-HepC (National Canadian Research Training Program in
       Hepatitis C)
    -  University of Toronto, Liver Updates in Hepatology
    -  CLF National Volunteer Meeting


    ---------------------------------
    (1) The Medical Post. February 15, 2005. Volume 41 Issue 07.

I am taking some time off due to health issues, I hope to be back soon. I have been through allot as of late and I am too run down physically to continue till my grieving is further on and I am feeling  better. Right now I have to take a week or month off more like a couple of months after the house is gone and I am moved I will have time as well. SO my life is a mess right now and need to straighten it out. I won't be attending events till I am relocated and my health matters go away.

Looking for people to start up new groups in Saskatchewan. Information on how to start your own chapter go to the main Federal site here is the link. 
 http://www.hepatitiscsociety.com/english/HepCChapters.htm
Also feel free to phone me as well at home and I can walk you through it may-haps. I am a firm believer when making a chapter to have at least 2 heppers on the board and a mediator and a nurse a doctor and yes incase a lawyer and Government rep. For an Ideal chapter it's one that fits your needs currently, and later down the road it can be changed if need be.

 I have a server I am going to be transferring to and that individual might have room for others as well or I can share mine (space not site) with you for your own. With that comes a domain name and x amount of e-mails I believe. The thing is exposure we need to be seen and have proper information to the public.

 Almost done my research on transplant protocol for Saskatchewan. I just have to do all the legalities, and protocols now, and re write it (copy write protocol, internet protocol etc.) some what. I am not a doctor so it will be compiled and put down in a way one can (layman terms) follow with their own approach towards their needs. Think of it as a guideline ok. Nothing wrong with a different way of doing things as long as it is correct and doesn't reflect on the site in a negative way. I would follow the Federal Link and follow their instructions first and foremost as I am a member as well.

Compensation papers can be downloaded from the federal site as well. Use the link above as to find them on the main HCV site. We are a member of the Federal Hepatitis C site for Telephone support and "I FEEL" we need more people to grow and expand, Educate and Improve the quality of lives of other individuals and families with HCV with in their family unit/s. You will need hospital records and sign a waver of release to get your 86 to 90 files which should already be in place. Fill in the forms and follow instructions. Be vigilant but respectful, it can go a long way with a little respect.