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Thanks to our generous and loyal supporters, the Hepatitis B Foundation's Annual Gala, held April 10 near our Pennsylvania home, was a huge success!
The Gala is our single largest fundraising event, and makes our programs possible. Together, we can vaccinate the unprotected and link those who have hepatitis B with much needed care and treatment. Your generous support allows us to save lives and fight hepatitis B.
| | Please donate today to support our mission. | | Watch the recording: 2026 Baruch S. Blumberg Prize Seminar | | | | |
On April 10, the community gathered in-person and online for the 2026 Baruch S. Blumberg Prize Seminar, presented by honoring this year’s distinguished recipient, Fabien Zoulim, MD, PhD.
Dr. Zoulim, who was formally presented with the award at the Foundation’s Annual Gala, delivered a compelling presentation titled: "Advancing hepatitis B treatment towards a cure: A journey in hepatitis B research." He shared insights into the current landscape of hepatitis B research and the pathways that are bringing us closer to a functional cure.
| | If you were unable to join us live, you can now watch the full presentation to learn about the latest breakthroughs in treatment and research. Watch the recording here. | | Share your voice on the Foundation's new quality-of-life survey | | | | |
The Hepatitis B Foundation is seeking participants for a new research study titled HepB PROACTive (Hepatitis B: Patient-Reported Outcomes, Adherence and Quality-of-Life Tracking).
The goal of this program is to better understand the daily experiences, treatment challenges and overall well-being of individuals living with chronic hepatitis B.
We're seeking adults age 18+ with hepatitis B living anywhere in the world.
| | Love your Liver: Alcohol Awareness Month | | April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect time to check in on your liver health. | | | | The liver acts as your body’s primary filter and storage unit. From producing bile to break down fats to regulating your blood sugar for energy, it performs critical tasks that keep your immune system strong. However, the liver has its limits. | | |
How Alcohol Impacts Your Health
Because the liver is responsible for detoxifying the blood, alcohol consumption can overwhelm it. When the liver breaks down ethanol, some of its cells die. While the liver is great at regenerating, excessive or long-term drinking can:
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Cause Inflammation: Leading to swelling and "fatty liver."
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Lead to Cirrhosis: Replacing healthy tissue with permanent scar tissue.
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Disrupt Essentials: Stopping the production of vital proteins and glucose storage.
| Learn about the impact of drinking alcohol on liver health in this blog. | | |
Hepatitis B and Alcohol:
A Dangerous Mix
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For those living with hepatitis B, the stakes are even higher. The virus already causes liver inflammation; adding alcohol causes much more damage.
Studies show that alcohol can:
- Accelerate liver damage
- Increase viral replication
- Weaken immunity
| | | Voices of Hope: Real stories from the hepatitis B and D community | | |
Sharing personal experiences is a powerful way to break the stigma and spread life-saving information. This month, we are highlighting stories of resilience, advocacy and the critical importance of prevention.
Dr. Cami Graham shares how her father’s 1970s medical accident inspired her medical career. She advocates for the "anti-cancer" vaccine, emphasizing that broader access to the hepatitis B series is vital to reversing the rising rates of liver cancer.
Janet and Kurt celebrate their daughter’s healthy, hepatitis B-free life thanks to the hepatitis B birth dose. Their experience underscores that every child deserves protection through vaccination, regardless of their family history.
From India to Switzerland, Gourav reflects on his decade-long journey with hepatitis B. His story highlights how moving from misinformation to proper medical care changed his life, and he now encourages others to seek testing and stay hopeful for a cure.
Dan shares the unique challenges of living with both hepatitis B and hepatitis D since 2014. He emphasizes how a strong support network of family, friends, and doctors has been essential in helping him stay informed and hopeful.
Joe details his extensive experience participating in clinical trials for hepatitis delta. He reminds us that being your own advocate—asking tough questions and seeking resources such as the Hepatitis B Foundation—is vital when pursuing new treatments.
| | These stories remind us that with support and determination, we can overcome challenges. Explore our storytelling platform to hear more inspiring stories. | | April is STD Awareness Month: Protecting your health and future | | | | |
As we observe STD Awareness Month, it’s the perfect time to talk about proactive health management. While many focus on common infections, one of the most significant—yet often misunderstood—risks is hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B is a "silent" virus because it often presents no symptoms, allowing it to be transmitted between partners or even from one generation to the next without anyone knowing until it's too late.
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The Good News: It’s Preventable
The best way to protect yourself is through the hepatitis B vaccine series. Often called the "anti-cancer vaccine" because it prevents the primary cause of liver cancer, this safe and effective vaccine can protect you and your loved ones against hepatitis B for life.
| | Partnering for Prevention: Community screening with AFAHO | | One of the most effective ways the Foundation’s public health team reaches the community is by bringing life-saving services directly to the people who need them. By meeting individuals where they live, work and gather, we can break down barriers to care and ensure that testing is both accessible and culturally appropriate. | | [L-R] Stella Dlamini, Noah Trudeau and Michaela Jackson of the Hepatitis B Foundation | | |
Recently, our team successfully held a hepatitis B screening event in partnership with the African Family Health Organization (AFAHO). This collaboration allowed us to provide on-site testing, education and resources to a diverse group of attendees. Events such as these are critical because they help identify undiagnosed cases early, allowing individuals to access treatment and prevent long-term liver damage.
We are grateful to AFAHO for their commitment to the community wellness of African and Caribbean immigrants and refugees and for helping us move one step closer to a future free of hepatitis B.
| | A new research study for adults with chronic hepatitis B | | |
The B-SUPREME phase 2 study will assess the safety and effectiveness of an investigational* medicine called ALG-000184 in people with a clinical diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection:
HBV infection is a worldwide public health problem that affects 296 million people globally, and an estimated 1.1 million deaths per year are caused by HBV-related diseases (e.g., liver cancer, liver cirrhosis). Advanced liver disease occurs in 20%–30% of chronically HBV-infected adults.
You may be eligible to take part in this study if you**:
- Are between 18–65 years of age with a diagnosis of chronic HBV infection or chronic hepatitis B***
- Have either: never received HBV treatment, or have not received HBV treatment within the last 6 months before enrolling in the study
- Have never received a capsid assembly modulator (CAM) treatment
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Please read the B-SUPREME brochure for details.
If you think you might be interested in this study or would like more information to see if you are eligible, please visit: b-supremestudy.com.
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B Heppy Podcast | Stories that shape change:
Inside the Hepatitis B Foundation’s storytelling programs
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Michelle Liu, MPH
Advocacy and Engagement Program Manager, Hepatitis B Foundation
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In our latest episode, Michelle Liu, advocacy and engagement program manager at the Hepatitis B Foundation, joins us to explore the power of storytelling in health advocacy.
Michelle shares how the Foundation’s storytelling programs uplifts the voices of people with lived experience—and why those stories matter. These initiatives help reduce stigma, build meaningful community and empower individuals affected by hepatitis B and liver cancer to speak up, connect and lead.
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After a dental assistant was denied entry into an Alabama hygiene program due to her hepatitis B status, a determined dentist (her employer) began a multi-year advocacy journey. By partnering with the Hepatitis B Foundation, they challenging outdated state regulations and successfully changed Alabama law in early 2026 to align with federal CDC guidelines.
Today, the program applications no longer include discriminatory restrictions, ensuring that a student's career dreams are no longer sidelined by stigma or misinformation. Please read the full blog here.
| | | Journal article of the month | | |
Shared principles within HBV guidelines:
Aligning clinical approach with differentiated care for global elimination
The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology
2026 March 31
[Click here]
Wang S, Lens S, Hong Y, Terrault N, Hicks J, James C, Cohen C, Hamid S.
Abstract: This article highlights the importance of aligning professional hepatitis B management and treatment guidelines, discusses areas where the current guidelines align, and offers strategies to harmonize messaging around care for people living with hepatitis B and create practical approaches to expand access to care and treatment globally.
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The Hepatitis B Foundation is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure and improving the quality of life for those affected by hepatitis B. Our commitment includes funding focused research, promoting disease awareness, supporting immunization and treatment initiatives, and serving as the primary source of information for patients and their families, the medical and scientific community and the general public. | | Learn more about our research and education programs at www.hepb.org | | | | | | |
