Film follows life of Hepatitis C sufferer » Health » 24dash.com

A moving documentary that follows the efforts of a hepatitis C sufferer to lift the lid on the potentially fatal disease is to be shown on digital television today.

"Louie, Me and Hepatitis C" shows the daily struggle of single mother Gemma Peppe as she undergoes treatment and tries to bring up her son.

The documentary, being shown on the Community Channel today and April 12 at 9.30pm, portrays the human side of a disease which affects an estimated 500,000 people in the UK. Out of that number, less than 1% are receiving treatment.

Gemma, a former drug addict, believes she caught hepatitis C by injecting herself with a dirty needle.

She explores the prejudice experienced by hepatitis C sufferers and is worried that politicians and many health professionals are not taking the potential scale of the disease seriously.

Community Channel broadcasts 24 hours a day, every day on Sky 539, Virgin TV 233 and from 6-9am on Freeview 87.

It aims to make viewers think again about the world, and inspire them to take action on the causes and issues that matter to them.

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