Hep C
Monday 19 May 2008 was the first truly World Hepatitis Day. To coincide with this day The Eddystone Trust showed a viewing of a documentary entitled ‘Louie, Me and Hepatitis C’. Approximately 20 people from various agencies viewed the documentary, which was screened at venues in Plymouth and Torquay.
The documentary depicted a year in the life of 40 year old Gemma Peppe, a single mother and her fight to eradicate her hepatitis C with a year’s course of anti-viral drugs. It also showcased stories of other patients and challenge1d the Government and the NHS over what they are doing about the growing numbers of people affected by hepatitis C. When Gemma needed a subject for her MA in documentary research, she decided to use her own battle with the potentially fatal liver condition hepatitis C. She hoped it would be an opportunity to raise awareness about the condition, which is thought to affect up to 500,000 people in the UK, with many of these people unaware that they have the virus. Gemma attracted the support of the Hepatitis C Trust and the Community Channel, and her film became a documentary of her treatment over a year - and how it affected her 14-year-old son Louie. (1)
‘Louie, Me and Hepatitis C’ is a moving 50-minute documentary that deals with the hardship and turmoil of undergoing treatment for hepatitis C. The treatment and its emotional side effects have a major impact on her life and her relationship with her son. As Gemma deals with the side effects, she decides to investigate how other sufferers have coped. She finds out they have faced discrimination and prejudice and discovers how little is done to help sufferers tackle these problems.
With less than 10% of hepatitis C sufferers being treated (2), it is only through the work of agencies like The Eddystone Trust and The Hepatitis C Trust, that their voice and experience of fighting the disease is supported and heard.
And a Big Thank You
Many thanks to David Northey, Senior Finance Administrator and Sharon Selley at Toshiba Consumer Products, Ernesettle, Plymouth and our very own Paul King who came to the rescue on Hepatitis C day for the loan of their televisions to view the Louis, Me and Hep C documentary. Without their generosity the event would not have been the success it was.