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Rosslyn, Va. – 1 in 10 of Asian Americans are affected by the disease, making Hepatitis B a health issue uniquely Asian American one but one that is otherwise less talked about. This is why the Hepatitis B Initiative of Washington DC themed their 2013 benefit gala “Be the Voice.”
The benefit gala at China Garden raised over $20,000 for HBI-DC and featured prominent speakers including Kathy Park, reporter and weekend morning anchor for ABC7 and News Channel 8 as emcee, Dr. Nadine Gracia, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health, and Delegate Mark Keam of the Virginia House of Delegates. Delegate Keam announced to applause that this would be the first year that Virginia would officially participate in the National Hepatitis B Awareness Day on May 19th.
In the last year, Executive Director Jane Pan has joined the Hepatitis B Initiative full time and has forged new relationships with area health organizations.
“We have more partnerships with other organizations including the Burmese community…the African community,” said Pan.
Over 300 people joined Pan in recognizing area doctors who have helped her and her organization test people for Hepatitis B or who have helped provide vaccinations. Those doctors include Dr. Mo-Ping Chow, Dr. Chan-Hing Ma Ho, Dr. Sibte Kazmi, Dr. Andrew Lee, Dr. Mark Li, Dr. Gregory Pappas, Dr. Natarajan Ravendhran, Dr. Sang Tran, Dr. Hon-Yuen, and Dr. Benson Yu.
“Without them, none of this would be possible,” said Pan.
George Chang, OCA officers Stan Liu and Song Fu, bottom: Gale and Jim McCallum, Annette Cheng, David Yao
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