Resources in Our Area

Hepatology Support Group

UCSD Hospital - Directions
200 West Arbor Drive, 11 Floor Conference Room
San Diego, CA 92103

Meets: Third Thursday of every month - 6:00-7:00 pm

The department of Hepatology offers support groups for patients and their families. Support groups can help reduce anxiety and depression. You will be able to meet others with similar thoughts and concerns, and realize you are not alone. Knowledgeable staff, who can help provide support and education facilitates the groups.

Contact Lisa Richards, NP for more information.

Phone: 619-543-5415

HepCats (Hepatitis C & B Support Group in Honolulu)

Life Foundation - Directions
677 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 229
Honolulu, HI 96813

Meets: Third Thursday every month, 6:30 p.m.

Located in the Gold Bond Building, diagonally across from Comp USA. Parking along Keawe and Coral Streets.

Contact Ken Akinaka (The Hepatitis Prevention, Education, Treatment, and Support Network of Hawaii) for more information.

Phone: (808) 221-6204
Email: kenakinaka@aol.com

Hilo, Hawaii:
Hilo Family Health Center

Hilo Family Health Center - Directions
1178 Kinoole Street, Building B
Hilo, HI 96720

Hepatitis B & C education, support groups and treatment. Marshallese & Chuukese interpreters available. Call for more information, including dates and times for support groups.

Contact Charlotte Grimm (Director of Clinical Operations) for more information.

Phone: 808-934-3217
Web: www.bayclinic.org
Email: cgrimm@bayclinic.org

La Jolla Hep C Support Group

Green Hospital, Scripps Clinic - Directions
10666 N. Torrey Pines Road
2nd Floor Amphitheatre
La Jolla, CA 92037

Meets: 1st Wedesday of every month

Contact Richard Helman (Scripps) for more information.

Phone: 858-554-8156

Temecula, Riverside, Murrieta:
Riverside Transplant Support Group

University Medical Center - Directions
25865 Barton Road, #101
Loma Linda, CA 92354

Meets: Tuesdays 10-11:30 am

Spanish classes also avaiable 2nd and 4th Friday of every month 12:30-2pm

Contact Allison Maxwell for more information.

Phone: 909-558-4000 Ext 37001

San Diego - Liver Transplant

UCSD Medical Center - Directions
200 W. Arbor Drive
On 8th Floor, Room 8-308
San Diego, CA

Meets: Meets third Thursday of every month, 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Meeting takes place on the 8th Floor in Room 308

Contact Michelle Morrison, Liver Transplant Social Worker (UCSD) for more information.

Phone: 619-543-6011

No. County:
Vista Scripps Coastal Medical Center

Vista - Directions
130 Cedar Road, 3rd Floor, Conference Room
Vista, CA 92083

Meets: 6:30-8:00 pm

Hepatitis C group is facilitated by a Registered Nurse. Learn about the current treatment available for hep C, potential side effects and information on current research. Expert guest speakers are scheduled throughout the year.

2012 dates: Thursdays
Jan. 26, Feb., 23, Mar. 22, April 26, May 24, June 28, July 26, Aug. 23, Sept. 27, Oct. 25, Nov. 8, Dec. 13.

Please call to register: 1-800-Scripps or 760-806-5863

INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL TRIALS – An American Liver Foundation Guide

The American Liver Foundation’s Introduction to Clinical Trials guide (link to http://www.liverfoundation.org/support/supportguides/) contains information on what a clinical trial is, who is involved, how the process works, potential risks and benefits, and much more.

For information on clinical trials in your area:

• Search the National Institutes of Health’s clinical trials website
• Talk to your healthcare provider about clinical trials that you may be eligible for
• Contact local medical institutions to learn about upcoming clinical trials

Web: http://www.liverfoundation.org/support/supportguides/

LIVER TRANSPLANT

The American Liver Foundation’s website has general information on liver transplants (link to http://www.liverfoundation.org/abouttheliver/info/transplant/).

For information on transplant centers in your area, visit the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network’s (OPTN) website.

Web: http://www.liverfoundation.org/abouttheliver/info/transplant/

Chronic Hepatitis C Education Information Class

Center for Health Promotion, Euclid Health Center - Directions
292 Euclid Avenue, Suite 122
(between Imperial Ave. & Market St. - at the end of Euclid Ave. trolley station)
San Diego, CA 92114

Meets: 4:00 pm - Fourth Wednesday of every month

Bring your caregiver, spouse, or partner.

Free presentation and duscussion:

• Common side effects
• Managing side effects
• dose preparation and self injection
• Insurance questions answered

You must register by calling:

Phone: 619-572-8644

Hep. C informational Classes

Mercy Hospital
San Diego

Meets: Tues. 6-8 pm and Sat. 9-11 am

Please call CVS Pharmacy for more information or to sign up to attend the class.

This class will cover information on Hep. C such as medications, side effects and symptoms, etc.

Contact CVS Pharmacy for more information.

Phone: 619-291-7377

Liver Center

Hawaii Medical Center - Directions
2228 Liliha St., Suite 306
Honolulu, HI 96817

Contact Naoky Tsai, MD (Liver Center at Hawaii Medical Center) for more information.

Phone: (808) 547-6541

Partnership for Prescription Assistance

PPA's main focus is on uninsured populations, but underinsured populations can contact PPA as well. PPA networks with 475 plans in the US and has one application that can be completed by phone or online. Based on answers to the PPA application questions, the database does a search for matches between patient information/chronic medication needs and plan requirements/medications.

The PPA is then able to print the applications for the matched plans and sends them to the patient, who in turn send in the application(s) to the plan(s). Medications arrive in two weeks (on average.)

Phone: 1-888-477-2669
Web: www.pparx.org

Sharing Miracles

Web: http://www.sharingmiracles.com/

Together RX Access = Prescription Savings Program

Thousands of hardworking people like you are getting a break on the medicines they need. Apply by calling the 1-800 number or online - it takes only minutes.

You may be eligible. Here's how to qualify:

• Not eligible for Medicare
• No prescription drug coverage (public or private)
• Household income equal to or less than
  - $30,000 for a single family
  - $40,000 for a family of two
  - $50,000 for a family of three
  - $60,000 for a family of four
  - $70,000 for a family of five
  Families of six or more and residents of Alaska & Hawaii should contact Together RX Access for household income information.
• Legal resident of the US or Puerto Rico

Phone: 1-800-444-4106
Web: www.TogetherRxAcess.com