On an evening in 1998 when I got
word from my doctor about my diagnosis, I had already planned to
go roller skating with my family. I decided not to change my
plans. But I remember feeling "shell-shocked" and very alone in
that rink full of people that night.
I had been really
tired for weeks on end and one weekend I practically slept for
two straight days. That is what prompted my visit to my doctor
and he was smart enough to order a test, even though that was
not routine at the time.
When my doctor
told me I had hepatitis C, my thoughts were of contracting
cancer of the liver or cirrhosis, resulting in the need for a
liver transplant. The doctor said I had about 20 years to live
so I made a determination, while skating that first night, to
fight and conquer this disease.
My wife, Mereda,
has stood by my side from the beginning and provided the
strength in helping me overcome this illness. When I was weak,
she was strong. She has been my rock throughout this entire
process.
In December 2009,
I decided to publically share the details of my diagnosis and my
battle with hepatitis C. I became one of the public faces of the
disease.
My hope is that
my disclosure will provide others suffering from hepatitis with
the confidence to speak out and help educate the community about
this silent epidemic. If you have viral hepatitis, have faith
and be strong. You are not alone.
More than 5.3
million people in the U.S. are living with hepatitis B and/or
hepatitis C and 65 to 75 percent of them are not aware of their
infections. Viral hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer
-- one of the fastest growing, deadly and most expensive cancers
to treat in America.
Through clinical
trials, medical research and testing, we must seek new, more
effective treatments. I want to send a strong message that a
cure is possible. I believe all Americans should be tested and
if they have a positive result, they should be treated.
Make no mistake
about it -- viral hepatitis is treatable, but it all starts with
testing.
That's why on May
23 in honor of National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day, I'm hosting
a free Viral Hepatitis Testing Day in the Rayburn House Office
Building on Capitol Hill with my Viral Hepatitis Caucus
co-chairs: Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.)
and Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.).
I am also a proud
sponsor of the Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Control and
Prevention Act, which would establish, promote and support a
comprehensive prevention, education, research and medical
referral program for viral hepatitis infection.
My motto is: Get
Educated, Raise Awareness, Know Your Status.
Today, after a long battle, I am pleased to announce that my
therapy is complete and I am cured of the virus. I am alive,
feeling good and strong. In the inimitable words of the
Godfather of Soul James Brown, "I feel good!" And I want
everyone else too, as well!
