By Emma Foster, Community Newswire
Sadie Frost was tested for hepatitis on Monday 18th May, to show her support for a campaign to raise awareness of the disease.
The actress and fashion designer was joined by singer Lisa Moorish and former London Mayor Ken Livingstone, who also got tested for hepatitis B and C on the Hepatitis C Trust's Get Tested double decker bus in London's Leicester Square.
The bus offers testing and information and will be touring the country to mark World Hepatitis Day, today, and encourage people to get tested if they think they might be at risk.
The charity is urging the public to ask themselves "Am I number 12?" to find out if they are one of the one in 12 affected with hepatitis B or C worldwide.
The campaign is also being supported by celebrities Jack Davenport, Zoe Ball, DJ Tyno, Michelle Gomez, Alan McGee and Pearl Lowe, who are starring in an advertising campaign featuring on digital screens in pubs and bars across the UK.
Hepatitis B and C are infectious blood-borne viruses that mainly attack the liver and can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer and even death.
The Hepatitis C Trust said most of the 600,000 to 800,000 people living with hepatitis B or C were unaware of the disease.
Sadie, who lost her father to hepatitis C, said: "My father died of hepatitis C because of a lack of awareness and not thinking of getting tested. Get Tested is a positive pro-active message."
Ken Livingstone said: "I'm glad to support the Hepatitis C Trust in raising awareness by urging Londoners to get tested.
"We have known for some time that London has a high prevalence of drug users with this disease but it's important to know that many others will have been at risk for a variety of reasons - that's why I am here to Get Tested!"
Charles Gore, chief executive of The Hepatitis C Trust, said: "I am thrilled that Sadie Frost and Ken Livingstone are leading the way in getting tested for hepatitis B and C.
"Too many people are needlessly dying because they do not realise they have these killer viruses.
Presenter Zoe Ball said: "I know several people with hepatitis C and have seen the devastating effects it can have. 
Thousands of people have hepatitis C but don't realise and they could unwittingly spread it to friends, family and their children. The message is simple and could save your life - Get Tested."
London Mayor Boris Johnson, who is also supporting the campaign, said: "I am truly shocked by the statistic that one in 12 people around the globe are infected by chronic hepatitis B or C.
"These viruses do not discriminate. I encourage anyone who thinks they might be infected to take advantage of the help that is available and get tested."
The second annual World Hepatitis Day is aiming to raise awareness of hepatitis B and C and to campaign for more political support to tackle the diseases.
The Hepatitis C Trust provides information, support and representation for all those affected by the disease. For more information go to www.hepctrust.org.uk.
