American Legion, AbbVie TAKE ON HEP C

The American Legion is joining forces with AbbVie, a global biopharmaceutical company, to launch TAKE ON HEP C. This nationwide movement will bring free hepatitis C (hep C) antibody testing to veterans and their communities.

Hep C education and testing are a priority for The American Legion because it is one of the most significant health concerns facing veterans today.

The TAKE ON HEP C tour bus will kick off the movement at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota on Aug. 4. The bus will serve as a mobile veteran outreach center along the tour route offering free hep C antibody testing with same-day results. American Legion service officers will also be available to provide free, expert assistance with VA benefits claims for veterans and their families. Veterans and the community at large will be able to receive valuable educational resources to help them learn about the disease, understand their risk factors, get tested for free and be energized to TAKE ON HEP C.

Visit www.legion.org/hepC for a complete list of tour dates and locations. And to learn more about the disease, exposure risks, symptoms and testing information.

As the nation’s largest veterans service organization, The American Legion is dedicated to addressing issues that affect veterans. One out of every 20 veterans enrolled with the Veterans Health Administration have hep C, more than three times the infection rate of the general U.S. population. Potential blood-to-blood exposure during military service, receiving a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992 and working in health care settings elevate the risk for veterans. Sharing personal items such as razors or toothbrushes with someone who has hep C, or receiving tattoos or body piercings in unregulated settings can also pose exposure risks. All veterans should know their risk factors, get tested for hep C, and learn their results so they can talk with their doctors about next steps.

“Since 2015, AbbVie and The American Legion have been working together to raise awareness of hepatitis C among the veteran community,” American Legion National Commander Denise H. Rohan said. “A simple hep C antibody test is the critical first step in making sure our veterans receive the care they need and deserve. We are grateful to have an industry leader like AbbVie as a national corporate alliance, joining The American Legion on the frontlines of this disease affecting veterans.”