Gregg Allman raises awareness for hepatitis C

Many people are familiar with Gregg Allman as a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member and part of the Allman Brothers Band. However, some may not know that he has hepatitis C, an infection that even he was not aware that he had contracted until about 30 years after the fact.

In a recent article published by Spinner.com, Allman talked about how he was finally diagnosed with hepatitis C at the age of 50, long after he had been infected when he got a tattoo from a parlor that used unclean needles.

Allman explained that he was given interferon, which helped reduce his symptoms for a period of time. However, he told the news provider that he eventually needed a liver transplant due to the extensive damage that the disease had done to the organ when it was left untreated for so many years.

Now, Allman said he is collaborating with American Liver Foundation and Merck pharmaceuticals in hosting a concert to raise awareness for hepatitis C.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 3.2 million Americans are infected with hepatitis C.