(Bethlehem, PA, Wednesday, July 28, 2021) — COVID-19 has been in the crosshairs of public health, but another insidious but curable virus is spreading and it deserves attention, too. The CDC estimates about 2.4 million individuals in the United States have Hepatitis C (HCV) – and over half of those don’t even know they have it. Left untreated, the impact of HCV infection can be catastrophic, leading to liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure. Further, healthcare costs associated with chronic HCV infection are $6.5 billion per year and continue to rise, while the average lifetime healthcare cost for an individual infected is nearly $65,000.
For World Hepatitis Day on July 28th, NASCAR Driver Will Rodgers will shine a light on the areas of the country that are hit hardest, answer the question of who should be tested (which is just about everyone according to new guidance from the CDC), and outline the steps that the public-private sectors should take to facilitate, increase and destigmatize HCV testing in the U.S. Notably, there are approximately twice as many people living with HCV in the U.S. compared to HIV, while funding for HIV has been nearly tenfold that of HCV for almost fifteen years.
Will discusses how, through broad scale testing and awareness, we can eliminate Hepatitis C in the United States and reduce the future burden on our healthcare system. He answers questions such as:
- What is Hepatitis C and why is there a stigma surrounding it?
- How common is Hepatitis C? Which areas of the country that are hit hardest?
- What are the symptoms? What happens if left untreated?
- How does Hepatitis C create a burden on our healthcare system?
- Can you share the work that the Will Rodgers Liver Health Foundation does?
- How can we get more people to get tested and seek treatment?
- Where can viewers/ listeners go for more information?
Will was diagnosed as a child with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and endured many medical procedures and additional health challenges all before his 5th birthday. He considers his life a crusade to raise awareness of liver disease and to fight the stigma and shame that keeps so many from testing and treatment. As an example of his commitment, his foundation offers free, simple Hepatitis C tests at select NASCAR events that can be taken right at the track, with results delivered in minutes.
Will Rodgers Bio: Will Rodgers was born in Maui, Hawaii in 1994. It was evident by Will’s first birthday that he was intrigued by any kind of motor and often longed to take rides on the neighbor’s tractor, which he had named Bob. Will was so drawn to being fast he would even want to race shopping carts in the grocery store. Unfortunately, at the age of three, Will became ill with a virus which was believed to be attacking his liver. Shortly after becoming ill, Will was diagnosed with a slowly progressive liver disease called Primary Schlerosing Cholangitis (PSC). PSC is a rare disease with no known cure and Will was blessed to have been able to be diagnosed so quickly. For the next few years, Will received treatment from Johns Hopkins University and Dr. Kathleen Schwarz. He no longer needed treatment at five years old.
Will began racing go-karts at eight years old on the island of Maui and proceeded to win the Hawaii State Championship for his division in 2005. He continued racing in California with go-karts, motocross, off-road UTVs and sports cars. In 2016, Will entered NASCAR and the world of stock car racing. He and his father wrenched together on the available cars with the money the family had and even built a car themselves. Will has moved on to win a number of development series races and made his Xfinity debut in 2019.
Will is dedicated to spreading the word about all types of liver disease and paring it with his passion for racing by providing at-track and off track events. His focus is Connect To Care by way of education and testing with the goal being to eradicate of all forms of liver disease.
About OraSure Technologies, Inc:
The OraSure family of companies delivers the innovative solutions and services backed by science that their customers need to solve the world’s greatest health and wellness challenges. They seek out and tackle their customers’ most complex problems head-on and give them access to actionable and insightful information. Whether that’s developing new sampling and data analysis methods, or creating new ways to diagnose and link patients to critical treatments and support — they are committed to finding new routes of discovery.
These interviews are provided by OraSure Technologies, Inc.& Will Rodgers. OraSure Technologies, Inc. is collaborating with the Will Rodgers Liver Health Foundation to increase awareness around the role Hepatitis C (HCV) plays in chronic liver disease and promoting testing services for HCV within the United States.