Julio discovered he had Hepatitis C by chance in 1994. He went through three year-long courses on interferon treatment. These years were not easy and Julio struggled with many challenges and questions and he looked for support. When he realized there are no support groups or patient associations for liver patients in Israel, Julio decided in 1998 to establish Hetz- the Israeli Organization for Liver Health. Today Julio is cured from HCV. Nevertheless, he dedicates his life to supporting liver patients and their families, strengthening Hetz’s capacity to advocate for the PATIENTS’ RIGHT TO KNOW they have a liver disease, and the government’s obligation to screen and to treat them. Actually Julio is directing HETZ and is representative of the patients in the National Council of Liver of the Ministry of Health in Israel.
