October marks National Liver Awareness Month and Liver Cancer Awareness Month, a time when advocacy organizations across the United States, including the American Liver Foundation (ALF), are intensifying efforts to support the estimated 100 million Americans affected by liver disease. Education, identification, and prevention are at the forefront of these initiatives, aiming to reduce the incidence and impact of liver-related health issues.
“Once your liver stops working properly, your body cannot filter out toxins, and this could lead to a whole host of health issues,” Lorraine Stiehl, CEO of ALF, emphasized in a foundation press release. “Many liver diseases are reversible if caught early. 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.”
Educational Initiatives and Resources
To promote awareness, the ALF encourages individuals to take a quick online quiz, available in both English and Spanish, to assess their risk for liver disease and, new this year, liver cancer. This tool takes less than five minutes to complete and is part of a broader effort to empower individuals with knowledge about their liver health.
In addition to the quiz, the ALF is offering a 30-day healthy liver meal plan, featuring easy-to-make recipes designed to support liver health. This initiative underscores the importance of a healthy diet in maintaining liver function and preventing disease.
Throughout October, a series of fundraisers, webinars, and online campaigns are being hosted by ALF and other advocacy groups, both domestically and internationally. These events aim to educate the public and healthcare professionals about liver health and disease prevention.
Webinars and Community Engagement
ALF is organizing several webinars, including a session on Liver Health for Veterans on October 21 and another on Liver Disease & Mental Health on October 22. These webinars will feature live Q&A sessions, allowing participants to engage directly with experts.
For those interested in more specialized topics, an on-demand webinar on hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), a severe complication of advanced liver disease, is available on ALF’s social media platforms. A new HRS-related resource, designed to help patients track symptoms such as urine output, appetite, and mood, is also available for download.
Healthcare professionals can benefit from ALF’s virtual continuing medical education program, which offers free educational webinars focusing on liver diseases like primary biliary cholangitis and fatty liver disease.
Liver Life Walks and Fundraising Efforts
Supporters are invited to participate in the foundation’s signature Liver Life Walks, held throughout October in various locations, including Meriden, Connecticut; Washington, D.C.; Richmond, Virginia; Chicago; San Francisco; and Houston. A virtual walk is also available, with all events contributing to the initiative’s $32,000 fundraising goal.
The ALF’s National Legacy Gala will take place on October 29 in New York, honoring leaders in the liver community. This event will be livestreamed and feature a silent auction with pre-event and remote bidding options.
Advocacy and Legislative Efforts
Adults living with liver diseases such as fatty liver disease, Alagille syndrome, biliary atresia, hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, or progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis are encouraged to join the ALF Patient Registry. This initiative helps advance research and potentially aids in therapy development.
ALF is also promoting its “Sharing the Journey” support groups for patients, caregivers, and liver transplant recipients, held online via Zoom. Volunteers are sought for ALF’s “Lend Your Voice Campaign,” which involves virtual meetings with U.S. Senate and House offices to discuss legislative priorities and share personal stories.
Liver Cancer Awareness and Global Initiatives
In conjunction with Liver Cancer Awareness Month, ALF will host a Congressional briefing on October 28, focusing on liver cancer prevalence, risk factors, and strategies for prevention and treatment. This event aims to advocate for legislative solutions to expand access to quality care.
The Global Liver Institute is also participating with its annual #OctoberIs4Livers campaign, emphasizing the importance of early detection and prevention. “Raising awareness of liver cancers is critical because too many patients and families only discover this disease when it is already advanced,” stated Larry R. Holden, GLI’s president and CEO.
The campaign, themed “Know your Risks — Know your Options,” focuses on education, prevention, detection, and survivorship. A toolkit for social media and global open house events are part of the initiative, alongside a webinar series held every Thursday in October to raise awareness about liver cancer prevention and treatment.
Sarah Manes, GLI’s liver cancers program director, highlighted the importance of a comprehensive approach: “Liver cancer cannot be seen as just treating the disease itself. Working across disease states and bringing together healthcare teams, policymakers, grassroots efforts, and patients will help reduce incidence and improve outcomes.”
As National Liver Awareness Month continues, these efforts underscore the critical need for early detection, education, and community engagement to combat liver disease and improve outcomes for those affected.
