Over 300 people came to celebrate the launch of the 2nd annual Hep B Free Calendar entitled “Everyday Hep B Heroes” which celebrates 12 remarkable Asian Americans of Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese descent that are all raising public awareness for Hepatitis B on Dec. 16, 2011.
The Hep B Calendar Launch Party was held in conjunction with Assemblywoman Fiona Ma’s Holiday Open House.
The calendar features the alarming statistics of the effects of the disease and its prevalence among the Asian Pacific Islander community. One in 10 Asian and Pacific Islanders are affected by hepatitis B.
Hep B Heroes are amongst us and they are making a difference in the Hepatitis B Free Movement in their daily lives. Each month features a different hero in their element complete with cape or heroic B emblem, along with a personal quote on what they are doing for the cause.
Some of the heroes featured in the calendar include California Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Fiona Ma honorary spokesperson for the Hep B Free campaign, Congressman Mike Honda, who has been working on several pieces of hepatitis legislation, and ABC 7 anchor and reporter Alan Wang who has been using his access to the media to inform the public about the disease.
“I’ve lost two uncles and a grandfather to liver cancer, and had no idea they were hepatitis B related until I discovered I was chronically infected with the disease. My mother has hepatitis B and all of my siblings were also infected at birth,” says Wang. “I have been sharing my story to help dispel any cultural barriers and misconceptions people may have about hepatitis B.”
Photographer Shane Sato, Miss May Kris Mizutani, and Miss November Kelly Banh with the Subaru Hep B Mobile.
BUY YOUR CALENDAR TODAY:
Calendars cost $10 each, plus $3 for shipping and handling. All proceeds will go towards ending hepatitis B disease and liver cancer. To purchase a calendar, contact Carrolyn Kubota at (415) 373-4003, ckubota@awfoundation.com or visithttp://sfhepbfree.org/calendar.
CALENDAR SPONSORS:
Chinese Hospital, Subaru of America, California Pacific Medical Center, and Stephen Ng
The AsianWeek Foundation and San Francisco Hep B Free produced the calendar, which was shot by L.A.-based photographer Shane Sato. Make up and hair was provided by Erika Jeziel Eugenio, Flor Corral, Jennifer Toy, and Timothy Perkins while Al Perez provided the creative design for the project.
