Conversations with BC Hepatitis Network

In our Season 1 finale of Conversations with BC Hepatitis Network, we talk to Cheryl Reitz and Joan King of HepCBC, a nonprofit that operated from 1996 to 2020. HepCBC was started and run by a group of dedicated volunteers with lived experience of hepatitis C. HepCBC was a grassroots charitable organization educating and informing about hepatitis C--and later hepatitis B--while pro

Shelley has lived experience of cirrhosis and received a liver transplant in 2021. Cirrhosis has many causes, including liver scarring (fibrosis) caused by viral hepatitis, genetics, immune system issues, or fatty liver disease. Shelley did not have viral hepatitis, however, she developed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and eventually cirrhosis, requiring a transplant. Shelley te

Dr. Naveed Janjua is an epidemiologist and senior scientist at the BC Centre for Disease Control and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia’s School of Population and Public Health. Naveed shares how he began working in infectious diseases, including hepatitis, about his current work, how emerging public health approaches and telemedicine are changing

Nance Cunningham is a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia in the Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine program. In this part 2 of Nance's interview, we learn more about Nance's research and academic work, and how she is applying what she has learned here in BC. This interview was recorded in Spring 2020. Our theme music is Piano Rock Instrumental by Dav

Nance Cunningham is a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia in the Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine program. In part 1 of our conversation with Nance, we learn about Nance, her hepatitis C focused work with Médecins Sans Frontières (also known as MSF or Doctors Without Borders) in Pakistan, and about the micro-elimination approach to hepatitis C elimin

Wendy is a person with lived experience of the hepatitis B virus, also known as HBV. In this interview, she shares with us about learning she had HBV, how HBV can be passed (learn more here), her mom’s HBV experience, getting tested, starting treatment, and what she’s learned so far. Wendy also shares how she’s gotten involved with advocating for people affected by hepatitis

Dr. Sofia Bartlett works with the BC Centre for Disease Control. At the time of this interview, she was a postdoctoral researcher, though as of 2022 she is the Senior Scientist for STBBIs. Dr. Bartlett brings a unique combination of skills to her role, combining her background in sciences and research with her own family's experience when her dad learned he had hepatitis C. In this

Daryl Luster has lived experience of hepatitis C and is the Peer Programs Lead at BC Hepatitis Network, as well as supporting people affected by HCV on our helpline, Help4Hep BC. Daryl shares about how he got involved in peer work, our Screening + Linking to Care Point of Care test training program, and more! Should you get tested for hep C? Check the links below to learn more abou

Lesley Gallagher is a hepatitis C nurse working in Vancouver, BC and Saskatoon, SK. Lesley shares how she began working with people who have hepatitis C, about the role of support groups, and about the work she does in BC and Saskatchewan. This interview was recorded on July 24, 2020. Our theme music is Piano Rock Instrumental by David Hyde. Follow BC Hepatitis Network on Face

Deb Schmitz is the Executive Director of the BC Hepatitis Network (known at the time of this recording as the Pacific Hepatitis C Network). Deb shares about her start in community-based HIV/AIDS work, her shift to working in hep C, and more about BCHN. This interview was recorded on August 4, 2020. Our theme music is Piano Rock Instrumental by David Hyde. Follow BC Hepatitis N