Daytona Beach another successful TAKE ON HEP C stop

The 26th annual Biketoberfest in Daytona Beach, Fla., was the backdrop for another successful American Legion-AbbVie collaboration during the TAKE ON HEP C campaign.

During the Oct. 18-21 motorcycle rally, which draws more than 100,000 visitors, the TAKE ON HEP C tour bus was able to provide free hepatitis C antibody testing – with same-day results – to 150 veterans. It also allowed The American Legion and AbbVie – a global biopharmaceutical company – to provide attendees with educational resources about the disease and how to understand their risk factors.

Many veterans who stopped by the bus expressed interest in becoming members of The American Legion; one current member renewed while another transferred into a local post.

Other highlights of the four-day stop:

• A young couple with concerns about being hepatitis C-positive came in to get tested and receive information about hep C.

• Multiple people stopped by to get tested after seeing Dave Baughman, marketing specialist with The American Legion National Headquarters, interviewed on Orlando CBS affiliate WKMG.

• Those stopping by to get tested included American Legion Department of Florida Legion Riders Chairman Jim Wineland and Rodney Smith, a member of American Legion Post 550 in Shallotte, N.C., who read about the tour stop in The American Legion Online Update e-newsletter.

The Coastal Florida Police & Fire Pipes & Drums also stopped by the bus and honored veterans by playing “God Bless America.” Watch the video here.

And Mike Ballard, the owner of Full Throttle Saloon – the world’s largest motorcycle bar – also came by the bus and posed for pictures.

The TAKE ON HEP C tour bus next will head to Galveston, Texas, for the Lone Star Rally Nov. 1-4.