But moving the Cause for a Cure takes a team effort. It's critically important for those who are affected to become an active part of this team, Block adds. Individuals and families affected by this disease can get involved. Share your stories to help eliminate the stigma of the disease. Yet, approximately one-third of people become infected from unknown sources.
Infected individuals can also volunteer for clinical trials if it's medically appropriate.
Finally, urge industry and government leaders to respond by increasing research dollars. That holds HBV patients hostage to the market value of drugs. A cure is too close for the nearly 400 million people worldwide who have hepatitis B to be forgotten, says Block. Raising our voices about this silent disease is an important step towards eliminating it. The HBF also sponsors the prestigious annual Princeton Workshop where a small group of the nation's leading researchers and clinical experts are invited to come together to discuss HBV therapeutics.