HepB Fndn Honors Dr. Purcell Fmr Ch. of Hepatitis Viruses Sec. at NIH; Most Successful Gala to Date

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. - May 30, 2013 - PRLog -- The Hepatitis B Foundation of Doylestown, Pa., the only national nonprofit organization solely dedicated to finding a cure for hepatitis B and improving the quality of life for those affected worldwide, raised more than $100,000 at its annual Crystal Ball on Friday, May 3, 2013.

The Crystal Ball attracted hundreds of leaders from the community, academic institutions, government, health care industry and biotech executives – with all proceeds benefitting the Foundation’s global research, outreach and patient advocacy programs. Donations help the Foundation to advance its mission of eliminating hepatitis B worldwide and to provide advocacy for people dealing with hepatitis B. Earlier this year, the Hepatitis B Foundation worked with the U.S. Department of Justice to ensure that hepatitis B patients are protected under the federal disability law.

The Foundation’s Baruch S. Blumberg Prize was given to Dr. Robert Purcell, former Chief of Hepatitis Viruses Section, NIAID of the National Institutes of Health, for his pioneering research in viral hepatitis discovery and vaccine development. The annual Community Commitment Award was presented to Debbie Wagner, president and CEO of The Graphic Edge, Inc., for her steadfast dedication to and support of the Foundation and the greater Bucks County community.

According to Hepatitis B Foundation executive director and co-founder Joan Block, “Events such as this are just not possible without a dedicated staff and board, community volunteers, sponsors, donors and attendees. We are so grateful to each and every person who helps further the mission of the Hepatitis B Foundation so that we can eradicate a disease that affects one in three worldwide.”  

The Hepatitis B Foundation thanks Steve Highsmith, PHL17 director of community relations and host of NBC10 and PHL17 public and community affairs shows @Issue and In Focus, who served as the evening’s emcee. The Foundation also thanks its sponsors Novira Therapeutics, Inc., the premier sponsor, and major sponsors Gilead, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Univest National Bank, Furia Rubel Marketing & Public Relations, High Swartz LLP, Kevin Kruse and deArt Folio Design, Drexel University College of Medicine, Allure West Photography and the Bucks County Herald as media sponsor.

Hepatitis B is the most common serious liver infection and the major cause of liver cancer worldwide. Two billion people have been infected with the hepatitis B virus (one out of three) and 400 million are chronically infected. Each year, 1 million people die prematurely from hepatitis B-related liver disease and liver cancer. In the U.S., an estimated 2 million Americans are chronically infected with hepatitis B – that is one in 20. The good news is that hepatitis B is preventable and treatable. However, for the 400 million people living with chronic hepatitis B infections, there is still no complete cure.

About the Hepatitis B Foundation: The Hepatitis B Foundation is the only national nonprofit organization solely dedicated to finding a cure for hepatitis B and improving the quality of life for those affected worldwide through research, education and patient advocacy. To learn more, go to www.hepb.org, read our blog at http://wp.hepb.org, follow us on Twitter @HepBFoundation, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hepbfoundation or call (215) 489-4900.