FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
HMA MOVEMENT TO SPONSOR "MARCH ACROSS AMERICA"
Monday, March 6, 2006
Contact: HMA Press Office, 540-248-7324

From DC's Capital Hill to NY's City Hall Park, Liver Organizations,
Activist, Families & Support Groups Are Making Plans for May 2006,
National Hepatitis C Awareness Month.
WASHINGTON, DC– Hepatitis C Movement for Awareness (HMA) is once
again hosting the Fifth Annual, "Weekend for Awareness," with a new
twist this year. Joining HMA, the Latino Organization for Liver
<http://www.lola-national.org/> Awareness, LOLA, and other
organizations will "March Across America," promoting the need for a
General Awareness Campaign.
In recognition of "Hepatitis C Awareness Month," individuals and groups
that can't make the DC event, are scheduling a march in their own
hometown. Most will rally on local government to inform about the risk
to communities. Groups interested in participating can visit this link
to sign up. The Movement provides pamphlets that volunteers can print
out, which include a voucher for a free in home test kit.
http://www.march-on-dc.com/National/News/2006/LocalMarch.asp
<http://www.march-on-dc.com/National/News/2006/LocalMarch.asp>

Dubbed "The National Event," held in DC, begins Wednesday, May 24. The
first two days, local State teams will unite on Capital Hill, with
scheduled appointments. This is followed by a "Kick Off" Rally and
Silent Auction, Thursday evening. The March begins Friday, 10 AM, with
plans to step off at 11:30. Participants will gather at Lafayette Park,
across from the White House. There will be guest speakers from the
Hepatitis C community. More information will follow. Saturday is
"National Testing Day"; a free day for enjoying the National Memorial
activities. Services including parades and entertainment, Many
volunteers will converge on t <http://www.march-on-dc.com/> he National
Mall, distributing HMA's pamphlets and vouchers. Events will end with a
candlelight vigil that evening in memory of the 10,000 former Military
Veterans that died last year because of Hepatitis C. HEPATITIS C is
viral infection of the blood, with almost 6 million Americans infected.
It can lead to permanent problems, cirrhosis and organ failure. Only 20%
know they have the infection. The only means to prevent it is through
awareness, testing, and a "General Education Campaign." There is no
vaccine. As the leading epidemic in the world and the number one
cause of liver transplants in the United States, organizers want the
message clear; "Our primary mission is to alert the public to the many
ways the virus is spread while encouraging people to get tested."
Especially minorities and those with military backgrounds, most
affected. Please come out and support a true effort for federal and
state responses to this epidemic.
Register online at
http://www.march-on-dc.com/National/Events/2006/WelPKG.asp
<http://www.march-on-dc.com/National/Events/2006/registration/WelPkg/sig\
nup.asp>
Special room rates expire on April 21.
For more information and get a copy of the "Are You At Risk" pamphlet
with a test kit voucher visit: www.March-on-DC.com
<http://www.march-on-dc.com/>


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