New animated video aims to support children living with biliary atresia
American Liver Foundation brings book character Bili the Brave to life
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The American Liver Foundation (ALF) has brought its “Bili the Brave” children’s book to life with a new animated video that aims to support youngsters and their families who are living with biliary atresia, a rare and life-threatening liver disease that affects infants.
Narrated by attorney and CNN political commentator Bakari Sellers and his 7-year-old daughter, Sadie Sellers — a biliary atresia patient and liver transplant recipient — the three-minute video is designed to help children better understand what is happening in their bodies in a hopeful, child-friendly way.
Following Bili, a young lion with a “special tummy” navigating doctor visits, medical tests, and surgeries, the film highlights courage, community, and the so-called Pride’s “Roar of Triumph.” It’s much like the sound that a child hears when squeezing the middle of a Bili plush toy provided by ALF at no charge to pediatric patients. For the toy, the collective roaring of children with biliary atresia was recorded into the sound chip.
According to an ALF press release, the animated video, like the book, “reminds families that no matter the obstacles, you can face them together with bravery and a smile, just like Bili the Brave.”
For Sellers, “sharing this special project with Sadie … was a wonderful experience we will both treasure forever.”
Usually diagnosed in infancy, biliary atresia is caused by the blockage or absence of bile ducts, the series of tubes that carry bile, a digestive fluid, from the liver to the intestines. This causes bile to build up in the liver, damaging the organ, and leak into the bloodstream.
Symptoms of the disease, such as jaundice, a yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes, and pale stools, usually start in early infancy.
Many children with biliary atresia will require a liver transplant
Treatment typically involves the Kasai procedure, a surgery in which a new tube is created to carry bile from the liver to the intestines. However, many children still experience liver disease progression, requiring a life-saving liver transplant.
“It’s difficult to watch your newborn infant struggling with a health condition that requires surgery and a liver transplant all before the age of [1],” Sellers said. “There were a lot of sleepless nights for my wife Ellen and I as Sadie recovered from the procedures and surgeries.”
The animated feature builds on “Bili the Brave,” a children’s book launched in 2024 to help youngsters understand their condition in a hopeful, empowering way. Part of a toolkit available from ALF, the storybook encourages families to face disease-related challenges together with bravery and positivity, as Bili the Brave does.
For children navigating liver disease, understanding what’s happening in their bodies can seem overwhelming and complicated. … Bili the Brave transforms complex medical experiences into an accessible, hopeful story.
The concept for Bili was developed with the help of Peter Cullen, a former Disney Channel executive and ALF board member. The book was authored by Peter’s daughter, Jennifer Cullen, featuring artwork by illustrator Nathaniel Freson, who donated his time to the project.
“For children navigating liver disease, understanding what’s happening in their bodies can seem overwhelming and complicated,” Cullen said. “Bili the Brave transforms complex medical experiences into an accessible, hopeful story. This animation is more than simple entertainment — it’s a tool for healing, education, and emotional support.”
Animated video is an addition to the Bili the Brave Toolkit
The animation itself was made possible through the pro bono efforts of Chuck Snyder, creative director at Fox Entertainment, a contribution lauded by Lorraine Stiehl, CEO of ALF.
“ALF is so grateful to Chuck Snyder … who graciously contributed his incredible animation expertise to help bring Bili the Brave to life,” Stiehl said. “We are forever thankful for your pro bono support in this effort to bring comfort, information and support to children and families living with [biliary atresia].”
ALF distributes the Bili the Brave Toolkit free of charge to children newly diagnosed with biliary atresia through 26 participating children’s hospitals across the U.S.
In addition to the book, the toolkit includes Bili the Brave, a plush lion “gifted” with biliary atresia, featuring an embroidered scar and an arm bandage, reflecting a child’s journey with biliary atresia. There’s also a medical bracelet and a nylon string bag.
Families can also access additional educational materials on the Bili the Brave website. Other resources include ALF’s Life with Pediatric Liver Disease Support Group on Facebook and the Life with Biliary Atresia webinar series.
“Learning more about the disease, utilizing the resources from ALF, and receiving the special plush Bili the Brave lion is the type of support families need during a difficult health journey,” Sellers said.
Bili the Brave was made possible through support from the Allan Doerr Family and Ipsen, the developer of odevixibat, an oral medication approved under the brand name Bylvay for another rare liver disorder called Alagille syndrome. The drug is now under investigation for biliary atresia in the global Phase 3 BOLD clinical trial (NCT04336722).
Sellers said he was happy to be a part of the animation project.
“I was so honored to join Sadie in bringing her favorite children’s book to life,” he said.
