hepVoice Vol.26 | Page 2

Note from our CEO The countdown is now well and truly on to World Hepatitis Day! It’s less than two months until the world unites to raise awareness and influence real change. 28 July will be a particularly momentous occasion for us this year as we launch our Find the Missing Millions campaign. Civil society and patient groups across the globe are taking the lead in increasing efforts to find the undiagnosed and screening initiatives have taken place in almost every region of the world. The launch of Find the Missing Millions will be supported with the publication of our white paper on overcoming the barriers to diagnosis and this month we held a global stakeholder consultation to discuss civil society and the affected community’s role in this. One of the biggest barriers remains the lack of affordable diagnostics so we’re pleased to share information on the Global Procurement Fund. Turn to page 12 to see if your organisation is eligible. Finally, we’re especially excited to be bringing the first-ever NOhep Village to the Global Hepatitis Summit and we’ll be using the opportunity to launch the next phase of the Quest to Find the Missing Millions. Be one of the first to join the quest, more info on page 8. We hope you enjoy reading! Contents Regulars 3 Hep headlines 6 World Health Assembly, Spring Testing Week, Advocacy resources For the diary World Blood Donor Day, Global Hepatitis Summit, Support. Don’t Punish Global Day of Action Features 8 In action: Efforts ramp up to Find the Missing Millions 12 14 Testing initiatives take place across the globe Focus: How to procure affordable medicines and diagnostics Are you eligible via the GPRO Fund? Wall of Stories snapshots: “A journey through fear, understanding, and reassurance” William from the USA shares his story Stay connected www.worldhepatitisalliance.org [email protected] Want to contribute? We welcome your contributions so please get in touch at [email protected] to have your news and stories included in future issues and feel free to share the magazine with your network 2 hep Voice June 2018 A round-up of some of this month’s stand-out facts and figures: Vaccination in Venezuela, Find the Missing Millions 4 Raquel Peck Chief Executive Officer This month in numbers This month in numbers www.facebook.com/worldhepalliance @Hep_Alliance 2 Less than months until World Hepatitis Day! Download posters, social media graphics, toolkits, merchandise designs and all you need to support your activities here. 13,000 More than people have been vaccinated against hepatitis B in Venezuela over the past 2 months. 1,700 Over tweets were sent in support of Spring Testing Week, which took place 18-25 May across Europe. 35 global experts joined us for a two-day stakeholder meeting on 17-18 May to discuss overcoming the barriers to diagnosis of hepatitis B and C. Don’t miss out - receive hepVoice straight to your inbox! @worldhepatitisalliance June 2018 3 hep Voice