John Tavis, professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at SLU, has been studying the hepatitis B virus for 24 years was honored with a “Mission Hero Award” by the American Cancer Society.
Experts estimate that up to 290 million people are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus. Of those infected, about 1 million worldwide die from liver failure and liver cancer each year.
Tavis’s work aims to advance our understanding of how the hepatitis B virus replicates in order to develop a new drug that, in combination with other medications, could cure the viral infection.
The Champions of Hope Gala was led by CEOs Against Cancer of Missouri – St. Louis Chapter Members. SLU President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., is a member of CEOs Against Cancer, and SLU’s Stacey Hutchens and Wendy Schlesinger were members of the gala’s executive planning committee.
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service.