How one NASCAR driver has turned a childhood diagnosis into a passionate pursuit while competing at the highest level of racing.
Will Rodgers has been racing most of his life, ever since his mom encouraged him to get behind the wheel of a go-kart at 8 years old. “Most moms don’t really think about getting their son or daughter into a high-speed vehicle,” he said. “But my mom said, ‘You know what? Let’s go for it.’”
Now 27, Rodgers competes on the NASCAR circuit, despite managing an underlying liver condition. As a young child, Rodgers was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a chronic liver disease caused by progressive inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts of the liver. While he’s been living healthy for over 20 years, going through that experience, and knowing he could be a positive influence for liver health, led him to start The Will Rodgers Liver Foundation.
Currently in the United States, one in 10 people are affected by liver disease, and over 2.4 million Americans are living with hepatitis C (HCV). According to the American Liver Foundation, about 40% of adults in the U.S. living with hepatitis C may not know it. The Foundation provides an interactive environment at race events and select community locations to encourage liver health. Through Rodgers’ collaboration with OraSure Technologies, individuals are provided with free HCV testing from CLIA-waived healthcare professionals using the rapid point-of-care OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test, which allows them to receive results in as little as 20 minutes with a simple finger prick, educational materials and resources to take the next step for those with liver health needs.
Testing on a NASCAR weekend usually runs Friday through Sunday, Rodgers said, with Race to End HepC staffers set up in the NASCAR fan zone with a tent. When someone walks up, a staff member will ask if they’ve heard about the campaign, and if they’d be willing to be tested. If yes, they will fill out a few forms and take the test with the help of a CLIA-waived technician. “Within about 20 minutes, we can provide an indication for a hepatitis C reaction with the OraQuick device,” Rodgers said.
People can either wait for their result at the event, or have it delivered the following week. “Most folks are on vacation, and don’t really want to know right then,” Rodgers said. “That’s where we offer the option to reach out the following week with that potentially hard information to hear. But we are always prepared to support individuals in the right way.”
Part of that support involves educating people who test positive that there is treatment, and a cure, for Hep C. “I want everybody to have a fun experience, whether it’s at a NASCAR race or another sporting event,” Rodgers said. “But when given the opportunity, you should take advantage of being tested and staying on top of [your health] because you never really know with a disease like hepatitis C. Someone could live with it unknowingly for years without showing any symptoms.”
To listen to the full podcast, visit https://bit.ly/3euSdKF. For more information, visit racetoendhepc.com.