70-plus veterans take on hep C in Galveston

Despite heavy storms prior to and then heavy at the start of the final day, the largest weekend motorcycle rally in the nation was the stage Nov. 1-4 for another successful collaboration between The American Legion and Abbvie in a nationwide campaign to provide free hepatitis C antibody testing for veterans.

Over the course of four days during the Lone Star Rally in Galveston, Texas, 72 veterans were tested – and provided same-day results – in the TAKE ON HEP C tour bus. The tour stop 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.

Five veterans tested positive during the four days, while many other rally attendees stopped by the bus to ask questions. A new American Legion was signed up, while another Legion membership was renewed.

The TAKE ON HEP C tour bus next will stop in Imperial Beach, Calif., on Veterans Day to set up at the Silver Strand Half Marathon & Veterans Day 5K.