Blue Collar is spoken here

The Hep C Quilt adorns the setting of the Minnesota Hepfest each year.

Minnesota Hepfest 2006

By JJ

Imagine, if you will, heppers from all over, relaxing, talking, napping, laughing, eating, napping, asking questions, getting great answers, and enjoying being understood for a change… (did I say napping?).  

This was the Minnesota Hepfest’s 9^th year.  Once again Pat & Jerry Buchanan opened their home to heppers for a weekend of support, food, laughs and of course, naps.  At this year’s gathering over 90 heppers attended.  There was quite an eclectic crowd: people on the interferon treatment (myself included) & those who’ve “been there, shot that” – some made it, some didn’t.  There were liver transplant survivors, and people who are on the waiting list.  Despite such a mixed crowd, we all knew how each of us felt and what each of us were going through.  As for me, my energy level is so low, I was only able to spend a couple of hours there. 

But an event like this doesn’t just put itself together.  According to LiverHope’s Pat Buchanan, there are a lot of volunteers – and while the hat gets passed for food, it would hardly cover all the great dishes that feed Hepfest-goers.  So it's important to recognize corporate sponsors, like Schering-Plough’s Steve Russell supplied a large meat and cheese tray (complete with all of the buns and condiments) and two cases of water for Thursday’s lunch, plus lots of literature, pens, notepads, water bottles and much more.  Roche’s Andy Robarge provided Saturday night’s meal of Kentucky Fried Chicken, tons of literature, plus loads of giveaways such as thermal cups, clocks, pens, and dry erase boards.

Being that Saturday’s the main evening, a wonderful massage therapist, Susan McCarl, volunteered much needed massages to everyone who wanted one.  Oscar Yanez played guitar and sang, and donated some CD’s to us!  He was fabulous!  Finally, on Saturday night, LiverHope’s own Gloria coordinated a silent auction to benefit LiverHope, and raised $650.  Auction items were donated by people who attended.  I know it was a lot of work – but she made it look so easy!

Next year, Pat will host the 10th and FINAL Hepfest.  In case you want to plan to stop in on your way to Sturgis, the dates are August 2 - 5, 2007.