As Tribute to Father, Jon Secada Wages War on Hepatitis C EFE | |
go to original May 6, 2012 |
Cuban-American singer-songwriter Jon Secada |
Better known for his ballads than for social activism, Cuban-American singer-songwriter Jon Secada told Efe in an interview last week that he is promoting a battle against hepatitis C as a tribute to his father, who died of the disease last year.
Secada, who has scored three Grammy Awards and has sold more than 20 million discs, is actively promoting the first National Hispanic Hepatitis Awareness Day, to be observed May 15.
Though his meeting with U.S. congressional leaders last week was "very positive," Secada said that he is trying to "raise awareness" about the illnes among the political class and the public, particularly in the Hispanic community.
"Hepatitis C is a silent sickness that kills you inside as happened to my dad, and it has some very scary numbers. We want to educate the Hispanic public about the risks and the treatment choices," the 49-year-old recording artist said.
Two months ago Secada joined the "Let's Talk About Hepatitis!" campaign sponsored by the American Liver Foundation and pharmaceutical giant Merck, as a tribute to his father, Jose, who died in 2011 of the disease after hiding it for 10 years.
"I talked about that with my father before he died and he gave me a 100 percent blessing to go ahead with the campaign. I had a spiritual connection with the old guy...I would have wanted him beside me for this campaign, but unfortunately it wasn't to be," he said.
"In the United States, slightly more than 3.2 million people have been diagnosed with hepatitis C, a chronic illness caused by a virus that can remain latent in the body for years.
It is estimated that a third of those who suffer it are of Hispanic origin.
For Secada, one of the challenges to Hispanic families is fighting the taboos surrounding health care - the national campaign seeks to close the information gap.
"The campaign includes a Web site that explains everything from A to Z, to inform the public but also to provide support for patients and encourage them to go see their doctor," said the singer of such hits as "Otro Dia Mas Sin Verte" (Another Day Without Seeing You) and "Free."
Without medical attention, hepatitis C can cause cirrhosis and even cancer of the liver. Liver failure caused by the virus is the principal cause of liver transplants in the United States.
Also taking part in the national public health campaign, launched two months ago, are Grammy winners Gregg Allman and Natalie Cole, who both suffer from hepatitis C.
Secada wrote a song dedicated to his father for this campaign with versions in English and Spanish " - "Your Voice Inside"/"Tu Voz Te Dira" - urging people to "listen to their inner voice" and "pay attention to what's happening to their health," he said.
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