Hep C advocate continued fight

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Hep C advocate continued fight

Date Published |

Dec. 28, 2006

BY HEIDI ULRICHSEN

The year 2006 is almost gone, and Ernie Zivny is still waiting for the federal government to give him the money that would make his life much easier.

He was a happy man July 25 when the government announced it would provide compensation for people who contracted Hepatitis C through tainted blood before 1986 and after 1990.

But more than five months later, none of the 5,500 people who have been earmarked to receive compensation received any money.

Prime Minister Harper promised the victims would have their cheques by the end of this year or the beginning of next year, said Zivny.

Zivny has been the face of “the forgotten victims” of Hepatitis C in Greater Sudbury for the past few years. He’s dealt with his fate by joining the Circle C Support Group and fighting to receive compensation. The group provides support for all Hepatitis C victims in the Greater Sudbury area, regardless of how they contracted the disease.

In June, Zivny visited Ottawa along with seven other Sudburians. He asked federal health minister Tony Clement to wear a ribbon in support of Hepatitis C victims, but the politician refused.

“It made us feel un-Canadian,” Zivny said. Receiving compensation from the government won’t make up for suffering from cirrhosis of the liver, an enlarged liver and spleen, diabetes, arthritis, pain and fatigue brought on by Hepatitis C, he said.

But he’s looking forward to what the money can do for him and his wife, Lynda. Perhaps they won’t have to clip coupons and shop at discount stores anymore, he said.

http://www.northernlife.ca/News/LocalNews/2006/12-29-06-HepC.asp?NLStory=12-29-06-HepC