The American Legion joined forces with AbbVie, a global biopharmaceutical company, to launch TAKE ON HEP C. This nationwide movement has been bringing free hepatitis C (hep C) antibody testing to veterans and their communities since early August.
Hep C is a disease that affects the liver and is caused by the hep C virus. Approximately 3.4 million people in the United States are thought to have chronic (long-lasting) hep C, making it the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the nation. As the nation’s largest veterans service organization, The American Legion is dedicated to addressing issues that affect veterans. Hep C is one of the most significant health concerns facing veterans today. One out of every 20 veterans enrolled with the Veterans Health Administration has hep C, more than three times the infection rate of the general U.S. population.
The TAKE ON HEP C tour bus will make a stop in Daytona Beach, Fla., for Biketoberfest. The TAKE ON HEP C tour bus serves as a mobile veteran outreach center offering free hep C antibody testing with same-day results. Visit the tour bus Oct. 18-21 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day for free testing.
American Legion Service Officers also will be on hand to provide free, expert assistance with VA benefit claims for veterans and their families. Veterans and their communities 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.
Other stops for the TAKE ON HEP C tour bus include Galveston, Texas, Nov. 1-4, for the Lone Star Rally; Los Angeles Nov. 9-10 at Hollywood Post 43; Coronado, Calif., Nov. 11 for the Silver Strand Half Marathon; and Miami, Fla., Nov. 16-18 for the NASCAR 2018 Ford EcoBoost 400.
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.
