Liver Foundation plans activities, events for Liver Awareness Month
Walks, gala among events on tap to raise awareness and funds
October is National Liver Awareness Month, and the American Liver Foundation (ALF) is promoting a series of activities and events to call attention to liver diseases and raise funds for research.
The foundation offers a liver health quiz, available in English or Spanish, to help people find out if they are at risk for liver disease. And given that diet is known to influence liver function, the ALF has put together a 30-day meal plan that includes simple recipes.
“Taking care of your liver is essential to your life,” said Lorraine Stiehl, ALF’s CEO, said in a foundation press release. “Many liver diseases can be reversed through a healthy lifestyle, diet and exercise. Don’t wait until it’s too late, find out if you’re at risk and take the necessary steps to take charge of your liver health.”
Another way to assess liver health is through medical screenings. The foundation will offer free screens at its Think Liver Think Life community events at the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, on Oct. 5, and the Pri-Med Midwest conference in Rosemont, Illinois, on Oct. 8-10.
On Oct. 7, the ALF’s National Legacy Gala will take place in New York to celebrate people who have made a significant impact on the liver community. The gala will be livestreamed, and will include a silent auction with pre-event and remote bidding available.
Liver cancer awareness
The foundation’s signature Liver Life Walks are taking place throughout the month. Patients and families participate in these walks to come together and raise awareness and funds in support of the liver community. Walks will be held on Oct. 12 in Richmond, Va.; Oct. 13 in Chicago; and Oct. 19 in Houston. There is also a virtual walk that can be accessed throughout the month. The initiative’s goal is to raise $32,000.
October is also Liver Cancer Awareness Month, and the ALF will offer a 45-minute online program, Ask the Experts—Living with Liver Cancer, on Oct. 10 at 4:30 p.m. EST. The program is designed to help people living with liver cancer, and will provide information on the latest treatments and research, as well as how to participate in clinical trials.
There will also be a virtual liver cancer event in Spanish to explore the frequency, risk factors, cultural influences, and prevention and treatment strategies of liver cancer within the Hispanic/Latin communities. The Zoom event will be held Oct.23 at 12:30 p.m. EST. Registration is free.
The foundation is also inviting people to urge their representatives in Congress to pass legislation to address liver disease and its causes. “Let’s use this month to remind lawmakers on Capitol Hill of the urgent need to address both obesity and liver disease through improved access, treatments, and innovation,” the ALF said.
Obesity is a main risk factor for a type of fatty liver disease called metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. MASLD, which can result in serious liver damage, liver failure, and liver cancer, is estimated to affect 80 million-100 million adults in the U.S.
People living with any liver disease, such as MALSD, hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, biliary atresia, Alagille syndrome, or progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis, are asked to join the ALF Patient Registry to help provide researchers with a better understanding of these conditions and the impact of available therapies.
The foundation is also inviting the liver disease community to join its “Sharing the Journey” support groups for patients, caregivers, and liver transplant recipients. The monthly events are held online via Zoom.
Other associations, including the International Liver Cancer Association, the Hepatitis B Foundation, and Liver Cancer UK, are also promoting activities to celebrate liver cancer awareness month.
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