Having a ruptured appendix in the 1990s may have helped save Heath Te Au's life.
Blood tests taken at the time of this medical emergency showed that he had hepatitis C, most likely the result of sharing needles and drug equipment during a time when he was an intravenous drug user.
After his appendix removal a doctor asked him to think about what he was doing to himself.
Mr Te Au (40) said it was a wake-up call, something which led him to change his life.
He underwent treatment in 1999 and 2000 and is now clear of the blood-borne virus which had been caught early enough not to cause major liver damage.
Now, he uses his experience to help educate others in his role as manager and one of two educators at Otago's Hepatitis C Resource Centre.
"My passion is to educate people about hepatitis C to lower the number of people infected or exposed to it and to support those who have it when they are going through treatment."
When he was using drugs he was trapped in that world and would never have guessed he would have the life he has now "with a lovely partner and a baby about to come".
The centre, which has been in existence for several years, has recently received Ministry of Health funding, and will be officially opening its refurbished Dowling St premises today to coincide with World Hepatitis Awareness Day.
Because the effects of the virus can take 10 to 15 years to manifest themselves, it was important people at risk were checked early so they could have treatment and avoid liver damage.
Mr Te Au said it was estimated 50,000 new Zealanders had hepatitis C although many were not aware of it.
