A PAST drug addict from Andover is campaigning to remove the stigma surrounding Hepatitis C after a year of being cured of the virus.
Colin Hollis, of Upper Clatford, is supporting ‘I’m Worth...’, a campaign that aims to to empower people living with the condition to access care and services.
The campaign launched Monday, May 16 and calls on the general public, health service providers, policymakers and media to do their part to combat the stigma surrounding Hepatitis C.
On why Mr Hollis is involved in the campaign, he said: “I didn’t know what Hepatitis C was. I was living in Spain when I was diagnosed.”
The 69-year-old was diagnosed in 2008 and was told that he only had five more years to live.
He was offered Interferon but decided not take it as he did not want to live what he thought was the rest of his life with the drug’s side effects.
With about ten months to live, Mr Hollis found out about a new drug trial.
He found out that the type and extent of his condition meant he was eligible and in February 2015 he was told he was cured of the virus.
Mr Hollis is not sure when he caught the virus, but says it was because he used to inject himself with heroin over 40 years ago.
He is very open about his past and hopes that his experience and knowledge will encourage other to seek treatment.
Mr Hollis said: “The more people talk about it, that’s open about it, so the more protection people will have about it.
“That’s what we need to get rid of (the stigma), because hiding isn’t going to cure it.”
The NHS drug and alcohol recovery worker said that people can perceive sufferers of the virus to be low-life, drug users.
However, he says that this is not the case and that despite his past, he has always worked and never lived to this stereotype.
He is proud of the achievements of his five children and 12 grandchildren, and says they have never been involved with drugs.
In fact, his wife, Diane, and the rest of his family are very supportive of him.
Of his health, he said: “My liver is improving beyond expectation.”
Colin Hollis, of Upper Clatford, is supporting ‘I’m Worth...’, a campaign that aims to to empower people living with the condition to access care and services.
The campaign launched Monday, May 16 and calls on the general public, health service providers, policymakers and media to do their part to combat the stigma surrounding Hepatitis C.
On why Mr Hollis is involved in the campaign, he said: “I didn’t know what Hepatitis C was. I was living in Spain when I was diagnosed.”
The 69-year-old was diagnosed in 2008 and was told that he only had five more years to live.
He was offered Interferon but decided not take it as he did not want to live what he thought was the rest of his life with the drug’s side effects.
With about ten months to live, Mr Hollis found out about a new drug trial.
He found out that the type and extent of his condition meant he was eligible and in February 2015 he was told he was cured of the virus.
Mr Hollis is not sure when he caught the virus, but says it was because he used to inject himself with heroin over 40 years ago.
He is very open about his past and hopes that his experience and knowledge will encourage other to seek treatment.
Mr Hollis said: “The more people talk about it, that’s open about it, so the more protection people will have about it.
“That’s what we need to get rid of (the stigma), because hiding isn’t going to cure it.”
The NHS drug and alcohol recovery worker said that people can perceive sufferers of the virus to be low-life, drug users.
However, he says that this is not the case and that despite his past, he has always worked and never lived to this stereotype.
He is proud of the achievements of his five children and 12 grandchildren, and says they have never been involved with drugs.
In fact, his wife, Diane, and the rest of his family are very supportive of him.
Of his health, he said: “My liver is improving beyond expectation.”
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