—
The Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis (THFGI) and Damien Center are pleased to announce they have been awarded a $6.5 million grant from the Health Issues and Challenges program for the Indiana State Department of Health. The grant will help the two organizations work together on statewide measures to improve Hepatitis C screening, treatment and care for Hoosiers living with the disease. The project will focus on five key areas:
1) Increasing access to Hepatitis C testing;
2) Improving access to care and treatment for those who test positive for the disease;
3) Strengthening provider capacity to provide high-quality Hepatitis C care;
4) Increasing public awareness about Hepatitis C and its prevention; and
5) Evaluating the project’s impact on the Hepatitis C epidemic in Indiana.
Hepatitis C is a serious infection that can lead to liver cancer. If left untreated, it can be fatal. The CDC estimates that more than 58,000 Indiana residents—and over 3 million in the U.S.—are living with Hepatitis C. Not only is that number growing, but most people are unaware that they have it.
“This grant will go a long way in our fight against Hepatitis C,” said Alan Witchey, President and CEO of the Damien Center. “We are grateful for the State of Indiana’s Health Issues and Challenges grant that will help us combat Hepatitis C in our state.”
The Damien Center and THFGI are uniquely positioned to lead this effort in Indiana. The Damien Center is the oldest and largest AIDS service organization (ASO) in Indiana, providing comprehensive services to people living with HIV and other chronic illnesses. THFGI champions the health and well-being of vulnerable populations in Indiana, and is home to the Indiana AIDS Fund and the Gregory R. Powers Direct Emergency Financial Assistance (DEFA) Fund.
“The Damien Center has been a trusted partner in our fight to protect Hoosier’s health,” said Jason Grisell, THFGI Executive Director. “Their expertise will be invaluable as we work to reach more people with information and services related to Hepatitis C.”
“This grant will allow us to build on our strengths and expand our reach to help more Hoosiers living with Hepatitis C get the care and treatment they need,” said Witchey. “We are committed to working collaboratively with our partners across the state to end this epidemic and are grateful for Indiana’s crucial support.”
State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG, said: “Being able to fund programs that are addressing some of the most pressing health concerns facing our state will position us to build community-level solutions that build a brighter and healthier future for generations to come.”
The announcement of this grant coincides with Word Hepatitis Day. World Hepatitis Day takes place every year on July 28, bringing the world together under a single theme to raise awareness of the global burden of viral Hepatitis and to influence real change.
Increasing testing access. Raising awareness. Reducing infection rates. The grant will help the Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis and Damien Center deliver crucial services and support to those impacted by this deadly disease.
For more information:
Damien Center | Alan Witchey, President & CEO | Email: awitchey@damien.org
The Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis | Jason Grisell, President & CEO | Email: jgrisell@thfgi.org
ABOUT THE DAMIEN CENTER
Since opening its doors in 1987, the Damien Center has led the effort to prevent the spread of HIV, perfecting a model of singular care that includes preventive, supportive and medical services to Hoosiers. Passionate about the dignity and worth of every person, the Damien Center strives to be a safe and welcoming place for anyone who seeks their services.
Find more info and join the fight at their website: www.damien.org
ABOUT THE HEALTH FOUNDATION OF GREATER INDIANAPOLIS
The Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis, Inc. is a catalyst to support health-related projects and organizations that seek to serve Indiana’s most vulnerable citizens. Formed in 1985, the foundation is home to Indiana AIDS Fund and Gregory R. Powers Direct Emergency Financial Assistance (DEFA) Fund. THFGI continues to take leadership roles in important health-related issues, including monkeypox, Hepatitis C, HIV and more.
Learn more at: www.thfgi.org
Contact Info:
Name: Crystal Paschal
Email: Send Email
Organization: Ayokay
Address: 7202 Shadeland Avenue Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46250, United States
Website: https://www.ayokay.com
Source: PressCable
Release ID: 89079789
If you detect any issues, problems, or errors in this press release content, kindly contact error@releasecontact.com to notify us. We will respond and rectify the situation in the next 8 hours.
