David's Story
David learned as a teenager that he has hepatitis B, and at first, he was confused and depressed. During his freshman year of high school, he attempted suicide. After that, David started therapy, but the sessions focused solely on his suicide attempt and not on the questions and challenges he was dealing with related to his hepatitis B diagnosis. His frustrations continued and led him to opioids, forcing him and his family to finally have conversations about his questions, fears, and hopes for the future. Through the support of his family, David is now living healthfully with the virus.
Storyteller David in Action
David's passion for advocacy stems from his deeply personal journey with hepatitis B and mental health struggles. he remains committed to amplifying the voices of those affected by hepatitis, emphasizing the urgent need for political and social action to eliminate the disease by 2030. David understands the intersectionality of physical and mental health, recognizing empathy as a crucial tool in empowering individuals to find their voice and seek proper care. Through his advocacy, he strives to combat stigma, promote understanding, and inspire positive change, demonstrating that self-empathy and kindness are essential in driving meaningful progress.
At the 2022 World Hepatitis Summit in Geneva, David shared his story to raise awareness and inspire change. He spoke at the session 'Youth Can't Wait', highlighting the importance of empowering young advocates. David's advocacy extends beyond speaking engagements; he actively engages with policymakers and fellow advocates to drive policy change. His passion for amplifying patient voices, particularly among youth, reflects his commitment to creating a world free of hepatitis and stigma. Through his advocacy, David aims to provide support and connection for hepatitis patients worldwide, ensuring no one feels alone in their journey.
David has been an integral member of the NVHR Advisory Committee since 2022, contributing his extensive expertise and dedication to advancing health equity, harm reduction, and inclusion in the realm of viral hepatitis. With his wealth of personal and professional experience in the field, David plays a vital role in shaping the strategic direction of NVHR, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of advocacy and support for those affected by viral hepatitis.
In this podcast episode, David shares his personal journey navigating mental health challenges after being diagnosed with hepatitis B. He opens up about facing fears associated with the diagnosis and how he found empowerment and strength beyond the initial scary moments. Tune in to hear David's inspiring story of resilience and self-empowerment.
July 28 is World Hepatitis Day. Watch this special presentation of Wendy as one of three #JustB storytellers speak about her lived experience with Hepatitis B. Co-hosted Hepatitis B Foundation and Arbutus BioPharma.
David shares his journey with hepatitis B in the Hep Voice quarterly magazine by the World Hepatitis Alliance. Diagnosed at just 13, he emphasizes that individuals are more than their diagnosis and urges others to share their stories to break the stigma surrounding hepatitis B. His message is clear: no one is alone in their journey, and by sharing experiences, we can create a supportive community and foster understanding.
In a heartfelt conversation with Richard on San Francisco Hep B Free's "Living with Hep B" YouTube episode, David candidly shares his journey growing up with hepatitis B. He reflects on the challenges he encountered and how these experiences have propelled him into the forefront of the fight against hepatitis B.
David Urick shares his powerful story on the World Hepatitis Alliance podcast, "Youth Can’t Wait – Empowering Young People in the Fight against Hepatitis." Born with hepatitis B but unaware until his teenage years, David faced confusion and stigma that led to struggles with drug use, attempted suicide, and depression. Joining Professor Manal El-Sayed from Egypt and Arafat Bwambale from Uganda, David emphasizes the vital role of engaging young people in the fight to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030. Through his experiences, David highlights the urgent need for awareness, support, and empowerment for youth impacted by hepatitis.
David participated as a panelist in a webinar focusing on hepatitis B patient engagement programs. The webinar explored access to care and treatment for individuals living with hepatitis B, including insights from the first hepatitis B patient-focused drug development meeting with the FDA, international patient survey findings, and preliminary data from focused interviews. David's contribution helped elevate the patient voice and highlighted key challenges and opportunities in hepatitis B care.
David attended the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) 2020 conference, joining leading scientists and healthcare professionals dedicated to preventing and curing liver disease. AASLD plays a pivotal role in advancing hepatology through research, education, and collaboration, ultimately improving treatment options for millions of patients worldwide. David's participation contributed to the ongoing efforts to advance liver disease research and enhance patient care.
David presented at the TLMdX COVID-19 and Chronic Liver Disease webinar, organized by AASLD and AST. He discussed treatment outcomes for chronic liver disease and cirrhosis patients with COVID-19, as well as immunosuppression adjustments for liver transplant recipients. The webinar also explored clinical differences between transplant and non-transplant patients with COVID-19, and management decisions during the peri-transplant period.
David is a recipient of the CDC/Hep B United 2020 Hep B Champion award, recognizing his outstanding leadership and collaborative efforts in addressing hepatitis within the community. This prestigious award acknowledges individuals and organizations for their successful initiatives aimed at combatting hepatitis and promoting awareness and support.
David participated in HBF’s recorded online discussion aimed at gathering insights from patients on living with chronic hepatitis B and their experiences with treatments. He actively contributed his firsthand perspective on living with the disease and offered insights into hopes for clinical trials and treatments. David's involvement helped ensure that patient voices were heard and considered in regulatory decisions concerning hepatitis B treatments.
David participated in a 2020 survey that revealed concerning findings regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hepatitis prevention and care services. The survey, conducted in partnership with various organizations including Hep B United, NVHR and Hepatitis Education Project, gathered responses from 161 participants. David's involvement contributed to shedding light on the challenges faced by community-based organizations and health departments in providing hepatitis services during the pandemic, including inadequate funding and staff reductions.
David participated in the 2019 Hep B United Summit Advocacy Day, joining over 100 experts, advocates, and public health professionals to collaborate on advancing hepatitis B elimination efforts. The summit included advocacy meetings on Capitol Hill, educational sessions, and networking activities. Highlights of the event included updates on hepatitis B research, grants awarded for screening and education, inspiring speeches from representatives and public health leaders, and interactive exhibits showcasing efforts to eliminate hepatitis B. David's involvement contributed to strengthening the collective effort to address hepatitis B on a national level.