The awareness campaign is supporting the implementation of the Government’s Hepatitis C Action Plan for England, which aims to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C. It is estimated that about 200,000 people in England have chronic hepatitis C infection, the majority of whom are probably unaware of their condition, which can cause serious liver damage.

Although hepatitis C can affect anyone from any background, there is emerging evidence that the prevalence within the South Asian community in this country may be higher than in the general population.

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus, so people could be at risk of infection from, for example, medical and dental treatment abroad with unsterilised equipment or sharing ear and nose piercing equipment or razors.

The three-metre high portraits on display will be of people from across the country, all of who have lived with hepatitis C. The pictures, which include Shahnaz’s, were taken by professional photographer Michele Martinoli, who has herself been successfully treated for the virus.

The giant photo exhibition will also be visiting;

Croydon, Northend Road – Saturday 17th May

Camden Lock Market - Sunday 18th May

Launching the event, Shahnaz said:

"Hepatitis C is a virus that affects people from all walks of life. I lived with the virus for many years without realising it, so I'm passionate about helping raise awareness in East London and ensuring others are diagnosed and treated. If you think you might be affected, seek advice from your doctor or nurse.”

Photographer Michele Martinoli, who took the photos, said:

“The sooner you get tested, the better your chances of clearing the virus through treatment. There is a social stigma around the disease caused by a lack of awareness. It’s important that this World Hepatitis Day we bring hepatitis C out of the shadows to get people to face up to the illness in the same way we did with HIV in the eighties and nineties.”