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Brotherhood Crusade’s First Media Breakfast on Hepatitis-C Huge Success

(Los Angeles) - President and CEO Charisse Bremond Weaver hosted a Media Breakfast to discuss Brotherhood Crusade’s leading role in the national Hepatitis C initiative sponsored by The Balm in Gilead and Roche Pharmaceuticals. Held at the historic headquarters on Slauson Avenue, the breakfast was well attended by print, radio and community media links.

In November 2006, Brotherhood Crusade was chosen as lead for faith-based agencies in Los Angeles County to begin testing, informing and educating residents about this chronic and sometimes life-threatening blood disease. “Hepatitis C presents as inflammation of the liver and has common symptoms of fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice and itchy skin. It is primarily transmitted through shared drug needles and may cause some people to develop cirrhosis, liver failure and/or liver cancer,” said Miriam Ha, MPH, PA-C of the East Valley Community Health Center and Hepatitis C Coordinator for Brotherhood Crusade, during her presentation.

Ms. Ha added that African-Americans and Latinos are least likely to be tested for this disease, as these communities tend to be underinsured and fearful of revealing past or present drug use. Also, due to the rise in popularity of tattoes, young adults in urban areas are equally susceptible to contracting Hepatitis C from infected ink needles.

As health and wellness is one of Weaver’s four point plans for improving the lives of people in South Los Angeles and surrounding areas, she knew this type of partnership was a natural fit for Brotherhood Crusade. “When Roche Pharmaceuticals shared that Hepatitis C is just as rampant in the African American community as HIV, I had to do something. Brotherhood is about serving the community and this is our chance to get the word out about the importance of having a healthy liver,” said Weaver.

Some of today’s Media Breakfast attendees were Jacquie Stephens of KJLH, Marty Cartwright of the L.A. Watts Times, Yussuf Simmonds of the L.A. Sentinel, Brotherhood Crusade Board Member Lillian Mobley, Sarah Harris of “Save The Date Central”, Miya Walker of LaGrant Communications, Lena Cole Dennis from Jenesse Center, Inc., and Will Harris of L.A. Bridges. They left the meeting in awe and vowed to help spread the word that 650,000 people in California have Hepatitis C and that Brotherhood Crusade is here to help stem the spread.

Founded in 1968, the Brotherhood Crusade supports underserved

communities by funding and assisting numerous vital agencies. The Brotherhood Crusade supports families and individuals through ongoing supportive services, economic development, health services and education programs. We also provide special programs in times of crisis. The Brotherhood Crusade created the Brotherhood Business Development and Capital Fund, the African American Unity Center and Mothers In Action, as well as other needed agencies.

If you would like to make a contribution to the Brotherhood Crusade, please send your tax-deductible gift to:

Brotherhood Crusade
200 E. Slauson Avenue
Los Angeles, Ca 90011
Tax Id#:95-2543819
www.brotherhoodcrusade.org