LOS ANGELES (HEPATITIS C AWARENESS, INC) -
Kelly Zirbes, the national spokesperson for Hep C Aware and The Hepatitis C Caring Ambassadors Program (HCCAP) has announced the 3rd Annual "Hep C Aware" Telethon to air over the
Internet and on KVMD TV Channel 23, Saturday, October 21, 2006. The Telethon is the signature event of the partnership between Hep C Aware, www.HepCAware.org and HCCAP, www.HepChallenge.org, both non-profit organizations dedicated to raising awareness of Hepatitis C. This event will be live on HepCAware.org for eight hours from 12-8pm PST, on TV in Southern California for two hours from 6-8pm PST and will feature musical performances, comedians and medical experts as well as special guests and featured spots about Hepatitis C throughout the entire event. Local Listings for the television broadcast can be found at KVMDTV.com.
This major event will be hosted by Kelly Zirbes, Alfie Martin, Mary White M.D. and special guests and will feature performances by some of the industry's most celebrated artists. Already on board are legendary MC5 founder and guitarist Wayne Kramer, comedians Courtney Cronin, Steve Mazan and Lisa Sundstedt and National Touring Artist Keaton Simons. Other musical artists include Peach, Kanary, Big Dume, Eden Automatic, Dig Jelly, Deb Pasternak, Homero Chavez, Scott Detweiler, Analog In, Hard Luck Story, Lauren Adams, Malea McGuinness and Kelly's Lot.
The idea for the Telethon was born 3 years after Kelly Zirbes began raising awareness of Hepatitis C to honor her friend Gioia, who lost her battle with the disease. During that time Kelly produced benefits and shows all over the country with the help of other musicians interested in making a difference. After hosting a online Music Video show on Alternative.nu Kelly realized that the Internet was the perfect tool to quickly and efficiently raise awareness and provide information about this silent epidemic. In 2004, Zirbes founded HepCAware.org and created the Telethon to do just that. With the help of Alternative.nu and the Hepatitis C Caring Ambassadors Program the telethon has also become a voice for those affected by Hepatitis C. Other sponsors include EarCandy, Roche, iHost.nu, Valeant, The Hepatitis C Support Project, The City Of Los Angeles Aids Coordinator's Office, YellowSpot Design, Go Girls Music, KVMD, KJLA and Take 12 Radio.
Hepatitis C is a systemic blood borne virus that primarily attacks the liver. One in 50 Americans have HCV yet two out of three of them do not know it. There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C. You may have been exposed to Hepatitis C and should get tested if you have: received blood, blood products, or an organ transplant prior to 1992, ever shared drug, paraphernalia, either by injecting or snorting, ever been stuck by a used blood needle, been on kidney dialysis, had a tattoo or body piercing, had sexual activity that involves contact with blood, shared personal care items(razors, toothbrushes, etc.) with other people, been incarcerated or are a war veteran (especially Vietnam).
For More Info Please Contact: Kelly Zirbes – 818-769-2701
Hep C Aware is a non-profit organization.
All contributions are tax deductible as provided by law.