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Protesters urge research fundingBy Times staff writer© St. Petersburg Times published February 16, 2002 ST. PETERSBURG -- To coincide with U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young's visit to Pinellas County on Friday, a group of more than 40 protesters gathered in downtown St. Petersburg to pressure Congress to increase funding for hepatitis C. Steve Kersker, 51, a homeless advocate who says he contracted the disease from intravenous drug abuse, led the Tampa Bay Hepatitis and Liver Disease Support Group around Young's downtown office for about an hour, toting signs that read "Billions for AIDS, pennies for hep," and chanting, "We want to live; research now." "I'm trying to do something to force Congress to act and increase research for us," said Kersker. George Cretekos, a spokesman for Largo Republican Young, met with the protesters Friday and told them more funding was on the way.
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From the Times South Pinellas desks |
