UK Events

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“I felt utterly alone. I didn’t know anyone else who had hepatitis C. The only people I could talk to were on on-line forums for people who have the virus.” John Semple was at his lowest point, he had just discovered that he had hepatitis C and his wife was leaving him for another man.

Today John is facing the happiest day of his life, as he prepares to marry the woman who became his closest friend in the forum, Chrissy Davis.

John says: “Having hepatitis C has certainly changed our lives and finding each other has been the silver lining in the dark cloud that hepatitis can be. We have both learned how tough it can be and that has led us to raise awareness and offer support to those in need.”

They are getting married in Truro, Cornwall on 19th May 2008 to coincide with the first ever World Hepatitis Day as a way of drawing attention to the cause in the UK. This runs alongside MPs showing support and getting tested in Westminster, local GPs around the country taking the testing message to their patients and a big awareness drive in London’s Victoria Station.

John and Chrissy are opening their wedding day up to the media and will be available for interviews and pictures. Many of the invited guests are affected by the disease and will be happy to talk to journalists. This includes the Best Man, Clive Kirby, who received a life-saving liver transplant only 7 weeks ago.

Clive said: “I’m absolutely thrilled for Chrissy and John – they’re a match made in heaven and an inspiration to people everywhere. They really show that hepatitis C doesn’t have to be a curse. It’s just something you deal with. That’s why, if you think you are at risk, it’s really important you face your fears and get tested.”

After the ceremony, the wedding party will be travelling by vintage double-decker bus to Truro town centre. John and Chrissy will be manning a stall and handing out leaflets highlighting the illness and World Hepatitis Day. Details and timings for all the day’s events can be found below.

On Monday 19 May, the first ever World Hepatitis Day, a group of 12 high profile MPs will have a hepatitis B and C test in Parliamentto help raise awareness of the shocking fact that approximately 1 in 12 of the world population are infected with chronic hepatitis B or C.

Hepatitis C is often known as the ‘silent killer’ as people can live with it undiagnosed and without symptoms for many years. It is estimated that there are 230,000-466,000 people living with hepatitis C in England, but less than 70,000 have been diagnosed. Around 320,000 people are living with hepatitis B in the UK, and this number is increasing.

Dr Brian Iddon MP who is one of the MPs getting tested said:

“I am delighted to show my support for World Hepatitis Day by getting a hepatitis B and C test. It is shocking that almost 500 million people in the world have hepatitis B or C. These are serious diseases which kill 1.5 million people a year yet awareness is dangerously low with the great majority of those infected unaware of their status. Worryingly, most people don’t understand infection risks.

“If you think you may have been at risk of contracting either hepatitis B or C, then ask your GP for a test.”

Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP, Secretary of State for Health said:

"I welcome World Hepatitis Day as a means of raising awareness of the importance of preventing, diagnosing and treating hepatitis B and C, which are important public health issues.”

Charles Gore, Chief Executive of The Hepatitis C Trust said:

“We have been overwhelmed by the positive response from MPs in support of World Hepatitis Day and over 40 Parliamentarians are coming to the testing event to support the day.

“The lack of awareness about viral hepatitis in the UK and abroad is causing huge numbers of preventable deaths. I hope that World Hepatitis Day will focus attention on these neglected diseases. Countless lives could be saved if more people get tested, diagnosed and then received the care, support and treatment they need.”