Description
The American Liver Foundation is the nation's leading nonprofit organization promoting liver health and disease prevention. We provide research, education and advocacy for those affected by liver-related diseases, including hepatitis.
We support patients, fund medical research, educate medical professionals and inform the public about the importance of liver health.
We envision a day when liver disease is seldom found, easily cured, and and when liver transplants are a thing of the past.
Many people immediately and falsely associate all liver disease with alcoholism. The truth is that liver disease affects one in ten Americans at some point in their lives. This includes newborns with life threatening illness requiring transplants, overweight children and adults that develop fatty liver symptoms, Hepatitis that can cause death and liver cancer, the only form of cancer currently on the rise in the U.S.
The National Capital Area Chapter's goals are threefold. We seek to EDUCATE our community about liver wellness, risk factors, disease prevention, symptom identification and treatment. We work to ADVOCATE for programs and policies that serve those affected by liver disease at both the local and national levels. We raise funds for RESEARCH, so that we can improve outcomes for those affected by liver disease and prevent future infections.
Our mission is accomplished only through the hard work of our small staff and numerous volunteers.
~We serve as a clearinghouse of information on various liver diseases and treatments, as well as available local and national resources.
~We create and conduct educational workshops, trainings and seminars for medical professionals and those at risk of liver disease.
~We build bridges connecting patients to health care providers and services.
~We offer support and educational groups to those affected by liver disease.
~The chapter meets with local, state and federal policy makers to initiate positive change.
~We work with local media and community groups to promote liver wellness, participate in health fairs and coordinate screening and vaccination events.
~Finally, we sponsor numerous fundraising events to support our chapter operations and our national Research Awards Program. The American Liver Foundation, in partnership with the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), is the nation's largest source of grants for liver disease research after the U.S. government. Since 1979, the Research Awards Program has provided more than $20.1 million for research. More than 650 qualified scientists and physicians have pursued careers in liver disease research and treatment as a result of receiving ALF and AASLD grants early in their careers.
In the greater D.C. area approximately 200,000 individuals are infected with hepatitis or other liver disease. Among these numbers are several disproportionately affected groups and alarming rates of Hepatitis B and C as well as co-infection of HIV and Hepatitis. The current waiting list for a liver transplant in our area is 18-24 months. Fortunately, many forms of liver disease are preventable, and many more can be cured if detected early.
Whether you are among the one in ten Americans affected by liver disease, or just want to make a difference in the battle against these devastating illnesses affecting people of all ages, The American Liver Foundation's National Capital Area Chapter needs your help.
Although liver disease is among the ten major causes of death in the United States, there was no national voluntary health agency devoted exclusively to combating liver diseases until 1976, when the American Liver Foundation was formed.
The American Liver Foundation was created in 1976 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD). This organization of scientists and healthcare professionals was concerned with the rising incidence of liver disease and the lack of awareness among both the general public and the medical community. The mission, the programs and the services provided by ALF complement the great work of AASLD.
There are currently 25 chapters operating across the United States. Chapters work to improve the lives of individuals and their families affected by liver disease by offering important programs and services tailored to the needs of each community.
The National Capital Area Chapter serves the greater DC area, including all of Maryland and Virginia
