Tribute from The Hepatitis C Trust to the late Annie Walker

We were very sad to hear the news that our friend and fellow hepatitis C campaigner, Annie Walker passed away on the 27th March.
Annie was a co-founder of the Norwich Hepatitis C group, which was a vital source of support for people and also a long and vociferous campaigner, particularly on issues around contaminated blood and raising awareness of hepatitis C to GP practices.
Samantha May our Head of Support Services tells us;
“On a personal note, Annie was one of my own first points of contact for getting informed and coming to terms with hepatitis C when I was diagnosed back in 2002, as aside from the newly formed Hepatitis C Trust, there were no sources of support for people around at that time.  For a while she was my own personal helpline and would patiently respond to my many questions and long emails with great humour and sometimes tough love during my own treatment journey.  This both inspired and informed my own approach to providing support when I started here at The Trust on our own national helpline in 2004, and we continued to stay in touch over the years, as despite her worsening illness over time, she continued to take the time to campaign and raise awareness whenever she could.”  
Charles Gore, The Hepatitis C Trust’s Chief Executive adds;
“Annie was one of the first people with hepatitis C I really got to know through the Trust. Although she had her own problems with her hepatitis C which sadly just got worse and worse, the thing that really stood out for me about Annie was that she was always doing things for other people. She was always asking how she could help, what she could do for the Trust. She was a truly lovely person and it was such a pleasure when from time to time Sam would call me and say ‘I’ve got Annie on the line for you.’ She will be greatly missed.”