The San Francisco Hep B Free campaign is a collaboration of over thirty
diverse public and private interests working together to eliminate the
transmission of hepatitis B, with a special emphasis on the Asian and
Pacific Islander population who bear a disproportionate rate of chronic
hepatitis B infection.
Hepatitis B is a disease caused by infection with the
hepatitis B virus (HBV). Infection with HBV can lead to
cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure, and liver cancer.
80% of liver cancer worldwide is caused by HBV
infection.
Asian Americans tend to be infected at a much higher
rate, with 1 in 10 Asians chronically infected with
hepatitis B, compared to 1 in 1000 in the general
population. Without treatment or monitoring, 1 in 4 of
these individuals will die from liver cancer or liver
failure.
In California alone, liver cancer is the #1 leading cause
of cancer deaths among Laotian American men, the 2nd
leading cause of cancer deaths among Cambodian and
Vietnamese men, the 4th leading cause of cancer deaths
among Chinese and Korean men, and the 5th leading cause
of deaths among Filipino men.
The Giants' Pablo Sandoval joins California Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore and SF Hep B Free Honorary Chair Fiona Ma and the Hep B Free team for a homeplate ceremony promoting hepatitis B awareness on May 10, 2011.
The San Francisco Giants have been partnering with SF Hep B Free since 2008 to educate fans about hepatitis B through public service announcements played at the ballpark and home plate ceremonies to highlight hepatitis B prevention and testing. The Giants have also helped fund raise for hepatitis B awareness efforts through ticket proceeds. Special trading cards have also been created featuring a Giants player on one side and hepatitis B facts on the back. The 2011 featured Giants player was World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval! Here is a look at the front and back of the baseball card:
Join "Pablo Pandaval" and let's make San Francisco free of hepatitis B disease! Donate to help maintain hepatitis B awareness efforts by SF Hep B Free and the AsianWeek Foundation.
