Written by:

Chari Cohen, Associate Director for Public Health, Hepatitis B Foundation

I admit that I was nervous as I walked into CHOP on 10/22 carrying a load of bright blue B A Hero t-shirts. This was the first time we were screening at this site, and the first time we were going to be screening entire families, including children. What if no one showed up? What if we had no translators? What if….what if…. the possibilities went on and on. Once the phlebotomists and volunteers came, and the event started to come together, my worries were replaced with excitement and anticipation. Then, the community members started coming. They were happy to be there, eager to learn about hepatitis B. With only a few mid-morning lulls, we found ourselves happily busy throughout most of the day, filling out forms, answering questions, making new friends in the community. The end of the event came about quickly, and I realized what a great success the day had been. The volunteers were motivated and incredibly helpful, and I was grateful that our CHOP partners had been so generous with their time, space and equipment. I walked out that day feeling satisfied, like we had done something truly good for the community, with the community.