B Heppy

Happy Liver Cancer Awareness Month!

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Amit Singal--Chief of Hepatology at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Dr. Mark Yarchoan--Associate Professor of Oncology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine about their newly published BEACON-HCC framework. Together, they discuss how this consensus-based approach aims to modernize treatment decision-making for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), incorporate emerging therapies, and help personalize care for patients across the liver cancer journey.

Check out the paper here: https://www.ovid.com/jnls/hep/fulltext/10.1097/hep.0000000000001834~beacon-hcc-best-evidence-and-north-american-consensus-on

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In this episode, Bright and Anousha chat with Fiona Borondy-Jenkins, Program Coordinator, and Shreya Koirala, Program Manager, at the Hepatitis B Foundation about their new paper, Boosting Diverse Communities’ Participation in Clinical Trials: What People Living with Hepatitis B Must Know. Together, they discuss the importance of representation in clinical research, barriers that may prevent people from participating in clinical trials, and practical information to help individuals living with hepatitis B make informed decisions about research opportunities.

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In this episode, we spoke with Dr. Tatyana Kushner, Associate Professor of Medicine in the Department of Gastroenterology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York. Dr. Kushner discusses hepatitis B treatment during pregnancy, including when antiviral therapy is recommended to help prevent mother-to-child transmission, and the importance of continuing hepatitis B care and treatment after pregnancy to support long-term liver health.

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In this episode, Bright and Anousha chat with Carl Schmid, Executive Director of the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute, about the financial challenges people living with hepatitis B face in the U.S., including high medication costs, insurance barriers, and the ongoing struggle to access affordable, life-saving treatment.

Note: 

Carl also shared an important update that at least one widely used hepatitis B medication is now available through Trump Rx for about $20 per month, offering a potentially more affordable option for some patients.

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In this episode, Bright and Anousha sit down with Dr. Joseph Lim, Director of Clinical Hepatology at Yale School of Medicine, to explore the intersection of viral hepatitis and MASH/MASLD. Dr. Lim shares key insights on how these conditions overlap and what it means for liver health and disease progression.

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In this episode, Anousha and Bright speak with Dr. Chloe Thio and Dr. David Thomas, academic medical researchers at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, about a new NIH grant supporting a Johns Hopkins–led consortium focused on finding a cure for hepatitis B. They discuss the goals of the $24 million award, the importance of collaborative science, and what this investment could mean for the future of hepatitis B research and for people living with the disease.

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In this episode, Michelle Liu, Advocacy and Engagement Program Manager at the Hepatitis B Foundation, joins us to discuss the Foundation’s storytelling programs and their impact. She shares how uplifting the voices of people with lived experience helps reduce stigma, build community, and empower individuals affected by hepatitis B and liver cancer.

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In this episode, Bright and Anousha speak with Ravshan Yakubov, a storyteller and patient advocate living with hepatitis B and Delta. Diagnosed as a child in Uzbekistan, Rav later discovered he had hepatitis D and liver cirrhosis after moving to Canada. He shares his journey, the challenges of co-infection, and his hope for future treatment options. 

Learn more about Rav's story here: https://youtu.be/rMmi90OIPAA

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In this episode, Bright and Anousha speak with Bruno D’Amato, a hepatitis B advocate whose diagnosis came decades after an unexpected hospital exposure. Symptom-free for years, Bruno’s routine tests later revealed liver fibrosis, prompting life-changing treatment. He shares his journey from silent infection to healing and the importance of regular monitoring, self-care, and hope. 

Learn more about Bruno's story here: https://youtu.be/CYlyc1l3blQ

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In this episode, Bright and Anousha welcome Dr. Catherine Freeland and Pharmacist Prince Okinedo, advisory board members of the African Hepatitis B Advocacy Coalition (ABAC). They discuss the Coalition’s launch and its mission to advance hepatitis B advocacy across Africa. 

Learn more about ABAC here: https://abachepb.org/

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