A New Coalition in Parliament!

Lord Parkinson, Sadie Frost and global musicians ask people to "GET TESTED!" for World Hepatitis Day, 19th May 2010

LONDON, May 17, 2010 - World Hepatitis Day: At the first health reception of the new Parliament,
celebrities such as Sadie Frost and Matt Horne will unite with patients,
politicians and musicians from around the world to ask people to GET TESTED!
for World Hepatitis Day. The exclusive reception, hosted by Lord Parkinson,
will launch an international music album called This Day showcasing original
collaborations and tracks from David McAlmont, Skye (of Morcheeba), Siobhan
Donaghy, Bernard Butler, Melanie Laurent and other leading global music
artists.

The album highlights the tragically low levels of awareness of hepatitis
B and C which affect 1 in 12 of the global population (fifteen times as many
as HIV/AIDS) and which kill one person every 30 seconds. It sends a powerful
message of global unity. Industry veterans Alan McGree and David Enthoven
will also attend the event.

The event comes as the World Health Organisation debates a resolution on
viral hepatitis for the very first time, a development which could give it
the profile it merits alongside HIV and AIDS, TB and malaria. This is a first
step towards concerted global action to tackle these deadly viruses that
affect 500 million people worldwide.

In the UK alone between 250,000 and 500,000 people are living with
hepatitis C but only around 100,000 have been diagnosed.

This parliamentary reception comes at the mid-point of a national
hepatitis C testing week, organised by The Hepatitis C Trust, with buses
visiting cities throughout the UK offering the brand new OraQuick(R)
hepatitis C on-the-spot saliva test, the first hepatitis C test with a CE
Mark to be able to give a result in just 20 minutes. This is part of a
massive new drive by the charity to improve access to testing and increase
diagnosis and the reception will also see the launch of a national project to
offer hepatitis B and C tests in pharmacies and a GP awareness project that
will be powered by volunteers, most of whom are hepatitis C patients
themselves.

Charles Gore, Chief Executive of The Hepatitis C Trust and President of
the World Hepatitis Alliance, said: "If we diagnose people, we can treat them
and cure their liver disease. If we don't, thousands of them in the UK will
die. It's that simple." Speaking about hepatitis globally, he added: "I am
thrilled that celebrities and musicians are supporting the efforts of patient
groups across the world. Millions of lives can be saved simply through better
awareness. World Hepatitis Day is the chance to shout the GET TESTED! message
on a global scale. If we shout loud enough, the World Health Organization,
which is right now considering the first ever resolution on viral hepatitis,
will be forced to listen and to act."

Actress and designer Sadie Frost is a long-time supporter of The
Hepatitis C Trust as a result of the tragic loss of her father to hepatitis
C. Sadie Frost said, "My father died of hepatitis C so this is a deeply
important cause for me. I am here to make people aware of the risks and get
tested. It could have saved my father's life and it will certainly save
millions of others."

Oliver Sim, lead singer of the XX, said, "People we love have been
tragically affected by hepatitis C - we ask our fans to show their support on
World Hepatitis Day and get the message out there." Ollie will be announcing
the day and encouraging fans to GET TESTED! at a gig in Tokyo on the day.

Notes to editors:

1. Please contact Jane Allen at The Hepatitis C Trust (on 07779-595609,
020-7089-6220 or jane.allen@hepctrust.org.uk) for more details, including
interviews with case studies, doctors, trustees, artists from This Day or the
celebrity spokespeople.

2. Journalists and photographers are welcome at the reception (19 May,
4-6pm, Strangers' Dining Room, Palace of Westminster) but must request an
invitation in advance. Please contact Jane Allen on
Jane.Allen@hepctrust.org.uk

3. About World Hepatitis Day

The third annual World Hepatitis Day will take place on Wednesday 19 May
2010, as part of an ongoing campaign launched by the World Hepatitis Alliance
in 2008. An entirely patient-led initiative, World Hepatitis Day in 2010 aims
to raise awareness of hepatitis B and C, as well as extend the political
support for the disease to levels seen in HIV / AIDS, TB and malaria. The
long-term objective of the World Hepatitis Day Campaign is to prevent new
infections and to deliver real improvements in health outcomes for people
living with viral hepatitis. worldhepatitisday.org

4. About the National Testing Bus Tour

During the week of May 17th, The Hepatitis C Trust is organising 3
potentially life-saving bus tours across England and Scotland. Local
celebrities, town mayors and MPs will be turning out to support the buses and
set the example for their town by raising awareness or getting tested. The
schedule is:

    Manchester, Piccadilly Gardens, 17 May
    Blackpool, Coral Island, Bank Hey St, 18 May
    Bedford, Main Square, 18 May
    Newcastle, Grey's Monument loc TBC, 19 May
    Frimley, Surrey, 19 May
    Bridlington, King Street, 20 May
    Sheffield, middle of Fargate, 21 May
    London, Portobello Road, 21 May
    Inverbness, 17 May
    Perth, 18 May
    Dundee, 18 May
    Edinburgh, 19 May
    Glasgow, 20 May
    Stirling, 21 May
    Alloa, 21 May

5. About hepatitis B and C:

    - Hepatitis B and C are infectious blood borne, cancer-causing viruses
      that mainly attack the liver. If undiagnosed and left untreated, they
      can be fatal.
    - 500 million people worldwide (1 in 12) are currently infected with
      hepatitis B or C. Most of the 500 million infected do not know.
    - This is 15 times the number infected with HIV/AIDS.
    - Between them, hepatitis B and C kill 1 million people a year.
    - It is estimated that there are 250,000-466,000 people living with
      Hepatitis C in the UK, but only around 100,000 have been diagnosed.
      Around 320,000 people are living with hepatitis B in the UK. More
      details about hepatitis C can be found at www.hepctrust.org.uk

6. Risk factors for hepatitis C:

    - Blood transfusions before 1992
    - Sharing any equipment to inject or snort drugs
    - Sharing razors or toothbrushes with an infected person
    - Tattoos or piercings in un-registered premises
    - Having medical surgery, dental surgery or blood transfusions in
      high-prevalence countries

Hepatitis B shares the same risk factors as above and is also sexually
transmitted.

7. About The Hepatitis C Trust:

The Hepatitis C Trust is the national UK charity for hepatitis C. It
provides information, support and representation for all those affected by
this disease. Started by patients, the majority of its governing Board of
Trustees and its staff, paid and voluntary, are patients.

The Hepatitis C Trust's helpline is 0845-223-4424

www.hepctrust.org.uk

Jane Allen, 020-7089-6220, jane.allen at hepctrust.org.uk