Hepatitis C Trust Charity Appeal with BBC Radio 4

Out of thousands of applications, the Hepatitis C Trust were one of 52 charities that were chosen this year. They are all thrilled at the opportunity – the team at the Trust have put so much work into the campaign with initial conversations taking place with the BBC back in December 2011.

With this activity, they hope to raise further awareness about hepatitis C and talk about the vital work the Trust does.

The voice of our appeal is Lesley Jenkins who contracted the virus in her twenties but only realised that she might have it when she heard an interview with Anita Roddick on BBC Radio 4’s Women’s Hour in 2007. In the interview, Anita talked about her symptoms and what she had been going through over the years. Everything she said resonated deeply with Lesley and soon afterwards she went back to her GP and specifically requested a hep C test, which came back positive.

Lesley completed treatment for the virus twice, and in the autumn of 2010 it was confirmed she had successfully cleared the virus. She now works for The Hepatitis C Trust using her own experiences to train health professionals in recognising, diagnosing and managing the virus.

Listen out for their appeal on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday 23^rd September at 0755 and 2126 and on the following Thursday 27^th September at 1527. It will also be posted online: http://www.bbc.co.uk/charityappeals/

Better2Know can test for Hepatitis C at any of our nationwide clinics with results the same day your blood sample is received in the laboratory.  Hepatitis C testing is available on its own, and as part of our platinum and early detection screens.