Help yourself and help the others – viruses are attacking.

Since the very beginning of the new millennium the problem of infectious diseases is becoming bigger and bigger. In the 1990s the number of people who died of contagious diseases has risen half as big. The existing viruses are constantly changing and the new ones appear. The diseases which are caused by those pathogens appear very suddenly and kill people who are mercilessly infected. Lets not forget the fact that the HIV virus attacked in the same way and so far we are not able to find the limits of it. Globally, it does not matter where the disease appears but how fast it spreads. There are thousands of people in Poland who suffer from a flu, hepatitis virus, tuberculosis or AIDS. 1/40 of the population is infected with one of the most dangerous viruses - the hepatitis virus. Each year, ten thousand people die of the hepatitis virus in the United States of America.

An enormous number of people fall ill of the liver cancer which is due to the infection of the hepatitis virus B. In the United States one and a half billion dollars is allocated each year for the research and the causal treatment of the hepatitis viruses B and C. In Poland, about 200 thousand patients await for the causal treatment of the hepatitis viruses B and C. The cost of the treatment of the hepatitis virus C, using two types of drugs (intron + ribaviryna), amounts monthly at USD $1180.00 per one patient. The treatment lasts for twelve months, and it has to be repeated for almost 60% of the patients. So far, the purchase of the drugs using the finances of the Polish Ministry of Health and the funds which are gained individually, will not cover the needs even for 25 years (assuming that the number of infected people will not rise).

To meet the numerous needs of those people who are already infected as well as those who are in danger of becoming infected, “EGIDA” – All-Polish Foundation to Fight Infectious Diseases with the headquarters in Wrocław, is being created.
The foundation will be managed by the professor Andrzej Gładysz, who is the National Consultant on the infectious diseases and the Head of the Infectious Diseases Department in the Medical Academy in Wrocław.

The purpose of the foundation is to be a shield (aegis) for those who need the treatment and those who are in danger of HCV and other infectious diseases. Only fast and effective help of the whole society, may lessen the danger of infection for all of us.
We are counting for the commitment, generosity and the active support of people, institutions and businesses, including medical and pharmaceutical. We hope they will participate in the realisation of this Noble and Extremely Needed Venture.