Living Without HepC

This week Gemma Peppe invited me to the World Premier of her film, “Louie Me and Hepatitis C”.

I first heard of Gemma from our cousin Helen in Spain – they’ve been friends for years. A few years ago when I decided to get involved with the Face-It Campaign they told me Gemma had decided to do a documentary about her treatment. I too had thought about doing a documentary and had looked about for funding with no success. When I realised just how difficult this was proving to be, I decided to do a blog instead. Gemma, however, had secured some funds – or so she thought, and was determined to make a film.

And determined she has proven to be. Almost three years later – with stories of funding fallen through and re-negotiated, treatment taking it’s toll on her energies and relationships and new sponsorship through The Hepatitis C Trust and FulcrumTV, Gemma has emerged with a powerful documentary about her own treatment and HepC. Interviews with other people living with HepC and medical experts flesh out the facts about HepC that we already know but the public at large and health professionals need to be informed about.

Louie, Me and Hepatitis C will be a useful vehicle to raise awareness and point out the facts that in the UK there are 500,000 people living with undiagnosed HepC and less than 10% of that number on treatment. Last week the film made a useful impact when it was shown to a group of MP’s at the Houses of Parliament by Anita Roddick and Charles Gore.

The film is a very powerful one, showing the difficulties experienced by Gemma living on treatment and looking after her son Louie. Gemma is a fighter and a very determined woman. Typically, while I sat next to her in the theatre struggling with the emotionality of the film and close to tears, I was aware Gemma was twitching about the quality of the sound track and resolving this will be improved and put right. I have no doubt this drive will ensure that her film will be seen and used to help raise awareness. Already there are plans for it to be shown in five locations throughout the UK. Watch The Hepatitis C Trust website for further details – and for information about securing a copy when it’s available on DVD.

For me it was also a return to the Hepatitis C world – the first event I’ve attended in almost a year. It was really good to see old friends like Michelle Martinolli, Jane and Charles from the HepC Trust and people from the Face-It Campaign as well as meet new people involved in doing something about Hepatitis C in this country.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 23rd, 2007 at 8:53 pm and is filed under Journal. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.