NEW YORK, June 29 /PR Newswire/ -- Miss America 2000, Heather French, will be in New York City's Times Square on Monday July 3 as part of her national disease awareness campaign entitled "Helping Veterans Fight a Silent Enemy: Hepatitis C." Miss French joins NYC 2000 and the New York City Mayor's Office as co-host of the "Salute the American Hero" music tribute to urge veterans to get tested for a potentially fatal virus, hepatitis C.
"As a daughter of a disabled veteran, I have seen the health challenges that they face," said Miss French, a strong advocate of veterans' causes during her year of service." Thanks to the powerful public forum that this tribute has created, New York area veterans who fought to protect our country will learn that they don't have to suffer needlessly from preventable and treatable diseases such as hepatitis C."
As part of her year of service, Miss French has traveled across the United States with Veterans Aimed Toward Awareness (VATA) and the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) to educate veterans and their families about hepatitis C and encourage them to get tested for the disease.
Veterans interested in free and confidential hepatitis C screenings or information about the disease should go to the VATA HEPMobile, which will be parked on the corner of West 44th St. and Broadway near the entrance to the bleacher check-in, by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, July 3. The first 300 veterans who arrive at the vehicle will receive VIP passes to the grandstand seating section for the music concert. The event will be co-hosted by Miss French and Roshumba and will feature performances by The Go-Go's, Gloria Gaynor, Mya, Eddie Money, the Tito Puente Orchestra and the cast of Saturday Night Fever. Performances are scheduled for 6:00 p.m. -- 7:30 p.m.
"On behalf of NYC 2000, I am pleased to have Miss French at this important salute to current and past members of the armed forces," said Marcia G. Lee, Executive Director, NYC 2000. "Her focus on veterans rights brings an essential serious message to this event honoring those who serve our country."
About Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is an emerging health issue among America's veterans, who may be at higher risk for contracting the virus than the general public. A recent Department of Veterans Affairs testing of 26,000 VA patients found that approximately 8 to 10 percent were infected with hepatitis C. According to a CDC study of veterans with hepatitis C, Vietnam-era veterans account for approximately 64 percent of positive HCV cases. U.S. veterans who came into contact with infected blood when handling wounded soldiers or because they received blood transfusions or blood products prior to 1992, or through needle-stick injuries, or even tattoos are at risk for hepatitis C and should be tested.
Hepatitis C affects approximately 4 million people in the United States and often shows no outward signs or symptoms for up to 30 years. Almost 3 million of the approximately 4 million Americans infected with hepatitis C will develop a chronic infection, which can lead to liver cancer or liver failure. Complications resulting from the HCV-related liver disease result in an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 deaths per year, with the death toll expected to triple over the next 10 to 20 years. HCV is the leading cause of liver transplants in the United States and one study found that more than half of liver transplant patients in VA hospitals have hepatitis C.
About Miss America 2000
As a national spokesperson and advocate for homeless veterans, Miss French travels approximately 20,000 miles a month, to a different city every other day, addressing diverse audiences, and advocating awareness, funding and volunteerism for homeless veterans' programs. The Miss America Organization is the single largest provider of scholarships for women in the world, with scholarship assistance totaling nearly $35 million in 1999. It is a non-profit corporation based in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
About VATA
Terry Baker, a Vietnam-era veteran, formed VATA after both he and his wife, Kay, tested positive for hepatitis C. VATA leads an ongoing nationwide effort to inform veterans that they may have been infected through blood transfusions or other exposure to contaminated blood. The non-profit group has developed a hepatitis C information Web site (http://www.veteranshepaware.com/), brochures, and public service announcements.
ABOUT NYC 2000
NYC 2000, the official millennium committee for New York City, was established through an Executive Order by Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani to ensure that the City's millennium celebrations showcase New York audience as the capital of the world in front of an international. Comprised of a dynamic group of business and community leaders, and chaired by actor Ron Silver, NYC 2000's events will reflect the best that New York City has to offer and feature celebrations honoring New York's diverse industries beginning in late 1999, and continuing until the official start of the millennium: New Year's Day, 2000.
THE HEPATITIS C COW
As a part of the Cow Parade New York 2000 exhibit, the single largest public art exhibit to visit New York City, the New York chapter of the American Liver Foundation has sponsored the "Hep Coward." The cow, located in Washington Square Park, carries messages about the importance of getting tested and treated for hepatitis C. It urges people who think they might be at risk for hepatitis C to hold their head high and make the "moooove" to get tested.
SOURCE: Miss America Organization and Veterans Aimed Toward Awareness
WEB SITE: http://www.veteranshepaware.com/
CO: Miss America Organization; Vietnam Veterans of America; Veterans Aimed Toward Awareness
ST: New York
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