Wendy YK's Story
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Cantonese
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Wendy was diagnosed with hepatitis B in college but wasn’t put on medication until her 30s. After a loved one passed away from liver cancer and Wendy learned that she herself may have liver damage, she started taking steps to prioritize her health and well-being over the busy, fast-paced, career-driven lifestyle that she had become accustomed to. Wendy now strives to live life to the fullest and to appreciate every moment, while effectively managing hepatitis B.
Wendy YK's story is available in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.
More hep B stories from Wendy
Storyteller Wendy in Action
Wendy's passion for advocacy ignited after completing the #justB workshop in 2022. Since then, she has been an unwavering force, actively participating in numerous advocacy events that drive positive change in the hepatitis B community. Explore a collection of impactful activities Wendy has been involved in, as she continues to champion meaningful causes and inspire others to join the movement.
Wendy participated in a press conference held at San Francisco City Hall. Alongside esteemed leaders and fellow advocates, Wendy contributed her voice and personal experiences to raise awareness about the urgency of addressing viral hepatitis. By sharing her story and experiences, Wendy played a crucial role in amplifying the call to action and highlighting the importance of prioritizing hepatitis awareness and prevention efforts in the San Francisco Bay Area.
How do I become a patient advocate?
Wendy participated as a patient advocate speaker at AASLD’s Keynote & Annual Forum Patient Programming track. Wendy provided insight into the health education and advocacy roles and opportunities for people living with liver disease and healthcare providers.
Wendy participated in Hep B United’s webinar for Liver Cancer Awareness Month in October. From the lens of a health coach and someone living with hepatitis B herself, she shared practical strategies and techniques for managing and living with the chronic liver disease.
Wendy co-authored with a team of physicians, patient advocates and public health experts who strongly advocate for patients’ voices to be heard in developing new guidelines for people living with hepatitis B in a commentary published in the widely read medical journal, The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology. Hepatitis B management and treatment guidelines are used by providers around the world to care for people with chronic hepatitis B infection. Guidelines that are aligned and simplified, and take patient perspective into consideration, will be the most useful, especially for decentralizing hepatitis B care globally.
In her role as an advisory board member, Wendy participates in discussions with drug and clinical trial developers, represents the advisory boards at public events and conferences, and contributes to outreach and education in their home communities.
Wendy is serving a two year term as a Patient Representative on AASLD’s Public Policy Committee. The purpose of the committee is to develop policy recommendations for consideration by the Governing Board with regard to hepatology and to ensure that those policies are accurately reflected in external communications. To monitor and advance issues related to the clinical practice of hepatology and work with AASLD’s government representatives in Washington, DC, to advise the Association on activities related to policy issues in clinical practice.
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.
Wendy participated in this webinar hosted by The United States Coalition for African Immigrant Health Inc. (USCAIH). In this discussion, she shared her experience and knowledge of hepatitis B.
Richard from SF Hep B Free chats with hepatitis B community advocate Wendy about her life living with hepatitis B. From being diagnosed in college to being a voice for the hepatitis B community today, Wendy recounts her story and the challenges she's faced along the way.