A Philadelphia Story
Philadelphia is at the center of the hepatitis B story. The hepatitis B virus was discovered by Dr. Baruch Blumberg at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. Dr. Blumberg invented the first hepatitis B vaccine that is now manufactured by two companies located in the Philadelphia region. The first animal that was discovered to be most useful in studying hepatitis B was a groundhog living at the Philadelphia Zoo, and the only national nonprofit dedicated to finding a cure for the infection was established just outside of the city. It is only natural that Philadelphia would now take the lead in advancing the Hep B United campaign as a means to help make hepatitis B a top health priority.