Paul’s message to others:
“Don’t put your head in the sand – get tested and act.”
Painters and Dockers Band Member, The Transplants Band Member and Youth Community Worker
“I am a Hep Hero because I want to warn that hepatitis C can’t be ignored and that we should all get tested to then make healthy lifestyle choices.”
I contracted hepatitis C through intravenous drug use – I only did it a couple of times, but that was enough.
Back then drug use was pretty common and everyone was doing it. I guess we just didn’t know the risks and it was pretty much a given in the music scene in the 70s and 80s. I did it stupidly for the first time drunkenly with a friend.
Once I learnt of my hepatitis C I didn’t take much notice. I didn’t listen to doctor’s advice to cut back on alcohol consumption and eventually it caught up with me.
My hepatitis C was so developed, my liver so scarred, that I didn’t have the option of treatment; I had to undergo a liver transplant straight away. I was unfortunate enough to be looking down the barrel of what happens when hepatitis C takes hold.
While waiting for my liver transplant I attended a 2006 benefit concert for guitarist Lobby Loyde, who died a year later from lung cancer. I was in a semicircle of five guys – three of them are now dead. I look back on that day and feel blessed to still be here. I feel obliged to tell others to take care of themselves and get the message out.
Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver transplants in Australia. Of the 230,000 Australians living with chronic hepatitis C around a quarter have moderate liver disease. Despite these numbers, there are no headlines about it, no ribbon days. The stigma surrounding hepatitis C silences news and the epidemic continues.
It has been five years since my transplant and I am grateful everyday.
I decided to join forces with Shane Laffy (ex Man Friday) to form a band call “The Transplants”. Together we raise awareness of the risks, thank those who donated and support others who have had a transplant or are waiting for one.
I also work at the Brosnan Centre in Brunswick as well as with a few youth organisations. I work with young people who are at risk, in particular those who have been in prison or youth justice centres. I believe that through positive education messages we can make people more aware of hepatitis C and end the silence.
“Don’t put your head in the sand – get tested and act.”
“Don’t put your head in the sand – get tested and act.”
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands where we work - the lands of the Woi-Wurrung Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nations. We express our gratitude to them for their continued care and curation of these lands and waters. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.
LiverWELL observes and honours the Kulin Nation's intrinsic connection to land, sky and water, and the creator Bunjil. LiverWELL is committed to being led and informed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders on bridging health outcomes for communities and improving liver health.