For Immediate Realease:

Contact: Steve Kersker

May 7, 2002

WALK FOR HEPATITIS AWARENESS

On May 11th Hepatitis Supporters will walk to spread Awareness on this deadly disease. It will take place in St. Petersburg: South Straub Park, near the Yacht Club, at 1^{st Ave., N.E. and Beach Drive. Walk begins at 10:00 AM. We will have Hundreds of people with Hundreds of signs. We will flood
the downtown area with our message}^!

^{Scheduled Speakers 9:30 to 10:00
AM}

^{*County Commissioner John Morroni will read a
proclamation from the Pinellas County Commission declaring May 11 as
Hepatitis Awareness Day in Pinellas County.}

^{*Mayor
Rick Baker will read a proclamation from the City of St. Petersburg declaring
May 11 as Hepatitis Awareness Day in St. Petersburg.}

^{*Congressional Aid George Cretekos will say a few words
on behalf of U.S. Congressman Bill Young.}

^{THIS IS A CRISIS LIKE OUR NATION FIRST FACED
WITH AIDS}

^{Hepatitis C is a virus that causes liver disease and is
spread by direct contact with infected human blood and conservatively infects
4,470 St. Petersburg residents and 16,590 Pinellas County residents, most of
whom have no idea they have contracted a potentially fatal liver
disease.}

^{Most infections are found among 40 to 59 year olds who
usually experience no symptoms for 20 to 40 years, then may develop profound
health consequences that include cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer and
death.}

^{Among the 12 top causes of death by age group in Pinellas
County, Chronic Liver Disease/Cirrhosis ranks 6th amongst 35 to 44 year olds;
ranks 4th amongst 45 to 54 year olds; and ranks 7th amongst 55 to 64 year
olds.}

^{It is vitally important to identify infected individuals as
early as possible, so that they can be offered health education, counseling and
treatment.}

For Additional Information Contact: Steve Kersker (727) 823-8404 e-mail stevekersker@aol.com .

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