Ex-druggie bidding to help beat killer virus
Ex-druggie bidding to help beat killer virus
A FORMER drug user who contracted Hepatitis C is to take part in the trek of a
lifetime to raise awareness of the virus.
Thomas Walker will trudge 100km through the foothills of the Himalayas to raise
cash for the Hepatitis C Trust Aware-ness Campaign.
The 45-year-old from Sheffield contracted the virus about 10 years ago and lived
with it for years with few symptoms.
Fortunately his body cleared the virus naturally, but Thomas is still involved
in campaigning to raise awareness of the illness.
He said: "I decided to join the trek after finding out I had contracted the
virus. Years later I was lucky to find out I no longer had it, but I do still
have the antibodies.
"I had a chaotic lifestyle and I did take drugs, but I am one of the lucky ones.
Now I want to help people who may also be living with Hepatitis C unknowingly to
get diagnosed and treated as early as possible."
The Nepalese trek, which takes place in October, will see 12 Hepatitis C team
members set off on an ambitious eight-day trip.
It is estimated 200,000 people in England have chronic Hepatitis C. Many are
unaware they have the condition and that it can cause serious liver damage.
The blood-borne virus is spread by the transfer of blood from person to person,
through the sharing of needles or syringes when injecting drugs.
It can also be spread through unprotected sex or tattoos, and body piercings
where unsterile equipment is used.
Those at risk include people who had a blood transfusion before Hepatitis C
screening was introduced in 1991.
Treatment is available but, as there is no vaccine against the virus, prevention
of new infections is important.
Earlier this year Thomas appeared in a government poster campaign to raise
awareness of the illness and his face was pasted across Sheffield.
He is now seeking sponsors for his trek.
Call 0114 237 5065.
27 April 2006
http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=58&ArticleID=1467184