Biliary atresia patient spotlighted in 2025 ALF Liver Life Walk
Signature event funds resources, education, advocacy
Domenic Frappolli, who was born with biliary atresia, was named the American Liver Foundation’s (ALF) 2025 National LIVEr Champion.
The foundation is spotlighting Frappolli’s story as part of its signature event, the Liver Life Walk.
Funds raised from the walk, taking place in cities across the U.S., allow ALF “to continue providing valuable resources to liver patients and their families, fund critical liver disease research, and advance public health education and improved patient treatment and coverage,” Lorraine Stiehl, ALF’s CEO, said in a foundation press release.
Biliary atresia is a rare liver disease that’s usually diagnosed shortly after birth. It is marked by blocked or absent bile ducts, the tubes that transport the digestive fluid bile from the liver to the intestines. As a result, bile builds up to toxic levels in the liver, causing damage. First-line biliary atresia treatment, the Kasai surgical procedure, can improve bile flow, but most patients end up needing liver transplants.
“Growing up, my family and I dealt with an array of challenges stemming from my liver disease, but I also had the good fortune of participating in many of the life experiences that any child or young adult should have, which never would have been attainable for me without the support of my family, friends, and doctors,” said Frappolli, who lives in Dallas. The city will host its Liver Life Walk on April 5.
Walks in person, virtual
“Last year, after increasing complications in my medical condition and a selfless offer to donate from my brother-in-law, Walker, I underwent a live-donor liver transplant, which has given me back my energy, focus, and ability to truly enjoy and appreciate my life and community,” Frappolli said.
Walks will be held in more than a dozen cities on various dates, bringing thousands of people together to raise funds for the more than 100 known liver diseases and support the millions of people affected by them, ALF said. There is a virtual walk for those who can’t join in person. This year, foundation aims to have at least one virtual walker from every state across the U.S. and to raise $32,000.
Isabella Arlt, a high school junior from Houston, was named ALF’s 2025 Pediatric LIVEr National Champion. Arlt was diagnosed at age 15 with acute liver failure, a condition in which the liver suddenly loses function, causing serious complications.
“I was blessed to receive a liver transplant three weeks after my diagnosis,” Arlt said. “I was lifted by the optimism, confidence, and courage conveyed from my family, friends as well as the amazing doctors and nurses at Texas Children’s Hospital. I am here today because of an organ donor; it is the consummate act of love and generosity. I will never be able to thank the person who gave me the ultimate gift, but I am committed to honoring her legacy by making it my mission to raise awareness about organ donation.”
Along with the nationwide Liver Life Walk, ALF is running the Liver Life Challenge, an endurance program for athletes to participate in races and raise funds for patient services and educational programs in liver disease.
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