Groups unite to fight liver disease during PBC Awareness Month
International PBC Day will be observed this year on Sept. 14
Members of the primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) community have come together in September as part of PBC Awareness Month to build support and share information about the disease.
The effort is designed not just to recognize the disease, but to amplify the voices of people living with PBC and foster connections that empower them. PBC is a chronic autoimmune liver disease that gradually damages the bile ducts, or the tubes that transport the digestive fluid bile, inside the liver, causing toxic bile buildup and liver damage. The disease often affects women between the ages of 30 and 60.
International PBC Day is traditionally observed on the second Sunday in September, Sept. 14 this year. The observance provides a specific day in the month for advocacy groups, patients, and healthcare professionals worldwide to unite in educating the public and supporting those living with the condition.
The focus of recent campaigns has been increasingly patient-centered, with themes such as “Provide Better Care” emphasizing personal treatment.
Events and activities to recognize PBC
The American Liver Foundation (ALF) is promoting several activities, including virtual sessions for liver disease patients, the well-known Liver Life Walk events, the BMW Berlin Marathon, and a PBC-focused course for healthcare professionals.
One Liver Life Walk will happen Sept. 13 in Denver. For each event, the medical teams that raise the most funds, take the most steps, or have the most participants are honored. Nationally, the team that raises the most funds by Nov. 14 will earn the Liver Cup Challenge champion title.
Funds raised at Liver Life Walk events help support the 100 million Americans affected by liver disease, fueling resources, education, patient support services, and expanding advocacy efforts for research and improved care, according to ALF.
Meanwhile, Liver Canada will host LIVERight Health Forums, which are interactive workshops that connect people with leading experts, in Calgary on Sept.13 and Halifax on Sept. 27.
The PBCers Organization and the Canadian PBC Society are promoting PBC Awareness Month under the theme “PBC Voices.” The groups encourage raising awareness through social media shares and fact sheets to empower those with PBC, and to educate families and friends. During the month, U.S. or Canadian residents can also participate in a contest that gives Amazon prizes every day.
Key events include a cross-border lunch to celebrate International PBC Day on Sept. 21 in Niagara Falls, Ontario, a PBC dinner Sept. 22 in Montreal, and a PBC Webinar on Sept. 27.
In the U.K., the PBC Foundation will hosting several events, including a Q&A virtual session with an expert on Sept. 11, and a monthly meeting for men with PBC on Sept. 24.
The Global Liver Institute will host a Liver Health Symposium on Sept. 20. in Minneapolis that will include presentations from local specialists and the Mayo Clinic.
Conferences on PBC
One highlight this year is the U.S. PBC Patient Conference, set for Sept. 19-21 in Chicago. Organized by the Friends of the PBC Foundation, it will explore the human side of healthcare, including empathy, leadership, and innovation. The event allows people living with PBC, their caregivers, and healthcare professionals to engage in educational workshops, wellness sessions, and live-streamed presentations that bring expert insights to in-person and online audiences.
The National Liver Gathering, set for Sept. 25-27 in Pittsburgh, will bring together leading experts in liver disease, public health, and related specialties to share the latest research findings, clinical practice guidelines, and evidence-based strategies to enhance liver health outcomes. The first day of the gathering will focus on autoimmune liver diseases such as PBC, including a patient and caregiver panel.
The PBC Foundation will hold its annual patient conference on Sept. 13-14 in Edinburgh, Scotland. The conference, still open for virtual attendance, will feature sessions on updates in PBC care and new therapies, how to interpret test results and self-advocate at medical appointments, and specialist nurse- and pharmacist-led clinics. There will also be segments on nutrition, physiotherapy, self-care, occupational therapy, and support for friends and family.
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