The Rochester Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic and the Canandaigua VA Medical Center are partnering with Veterans Aimed Toward Awareness and the Veterans Network of Kodak Employees to conduct a free Hepatitis C/Diabetes screening on September 11 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Kodak's Theater on the Ridge, Bldg. 28, 200 Ridge Road West in Rochester.

Heather French, Miss America 2000 and veterans' advocate, will attend the event and speak at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. After winning the title of Miss America 2000, French traveled over 300,000 miles across the United States on a national speaking tour entitled," Our Forgotten Heroes: Honoring Our Nation's Homeless Veterans." During her tour, veterans' health care issues became another serious focus and a second campaign began entitled "Fighting the Silent Enemy: Hepatitis C." Touring the country with Hepatitis C advocates, screenings were held and hundreds of veterans were screened and made aware of the dangers of Hepatitis C. In French's own words, "I will always be the daughter of a veteran and, therefore, I will always honor those who fell by continuing to serve those who live."

Hepatitis C is a virus whose symptoms often don't appear for many years. Many individuals with Hepatitis C develop chronic infections which increase the risk of liver disease, liver failure and liver cancer. There are several factors which place individuals at greater risk for contracting Hepatitis C. Some of these include: blood transfusions prior to July 1992, tattoos/body piercing, on the job needle sticks, sharing personal care items such as razors or toothbrushes, IV drug use, cocaine use, alcohol abuse, and multiple sex partners.

Diabetes, Type 2, is a metabolic disorder. Individuals with this disease cannot process sugar properly. Symptoms may also be hidden for a long period of time just like Hepatitis C. People with Hepatitis C often develop Diabetes, Type 2, as well.

In addition to the screenings, the Department of Veterans Affairs will present information on VA Health Care. Other veterans benefits information will be available from the Monroe County Veterans Service Agency as well as the VA.

For information on this screening veterans should call the Rochester VA Outpatient Clinic (716-241-2016), the Canandaigua VA Medical Center (800-206-8372) or Veterans Aimed Toward Awareness (716-723-1569).

Veterans wishing to participate in the free screening should bring proof of military service, copy of DD-214, or their VA Photo ID Card.