American Liver Foundation

The American Liver Foundation (ALF) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and cure of liver disease. Established in 1976, its core mission is to facilitate, advocate, and promote education, support services, and research in the field of liver health. The organization's headquarters are located in Fairfield, New Jersey.

ALF provides a comprehensive range of services, including educational programs for patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, advocacy for patient rights, and funding for medical research. Key initiatives include the "Think Liver Think Life" public health campaign, the "Living Donor Network" which connects potential donors with transplant centers, and the "Bili the Brave" program aimed at children. The foundation also offers a national toll-free helpline, online support groups, and resources for finding liver transplant centers and specialists.

In recent leadership news, David Frank was elected as the new Board Chair in March 2026, joining CEO Lorraine Stiehl in guiding the organization. The ALF continues to be active in public health, recently applauding a report on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and hosting events like FLAVORS 2026. As the nation's largest patient advocacy organization for liver disease, ALF is recognized as a trusted voice, reaching over four million individuals annually with health information and support.

Latest updates

Bipartisan Support Bolsters American Liver Foundation's Legislative Push

Event summary

  • The American Liver Foundation (ALF) held its Liver Life Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., on April 21-22, 2026.
  • Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) and Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE) were jointly recognized with the Congressional Champion Award.
  • Costa is championing the Ian Kalvinskas Pediatric Liver Cancer Early Detection and Screening Act, directing a GAO study and establishing a national education initiative.
  • Bacon reintroduced the Living Donor Protection Act, aiming to prevent insurance discrimination and ensure job-protected leave for living donors.
  • Advocates met with elected officials to push for legislation supporting living donors, patient access, pediatric screening, and CDC efforts.

The big picture

The recognition of Costa and Bacon underscores the growing awareness of liver disease as a significant public health challenge, impacting roughly 100 million Americans. The bipartisan support highlights a potential opportunity for legislative progress, though it remains contingent on maintaining cross-party consensus. The ALF's advocacy efforts are strategically important in shaping policy around organ donation and pediatric healthcare, areas often subject to intense political debate.

What we're watching

Legislative Progress
The success of the Ian Kalvinskas Act and the Living Donor Protection Act will hinge on continued bipartisan support and potential GAO findings, which could influence broader healthcare funding priorities.
Advocacy Effectiveness
The ALF's ability to maintain this level of bipartisan engagement will be crucial for securing legislative wins, particularly given the increasingly polarized political landscape.
Patient Outreach
The effectiveness of the national education initiative within the Ian Kalvinskas Act will determine whether it leads to earlier diagnoses and improved outcomes for children with liver cancer.

American Liver Foundation Leverages Boston Marathon for Awareness, Funding

Event summary

  • The American Liver Foundation (ALF) is participating in the 130th Boston Marathon on April 20, 2026, with 'Team ALF' to raise funds and awareness for liver disease.
  • Team ALF has been a Boston Marathon participant since 1989, historically contributing to ALF's mission.
  • Damian Delaney, ALF's National LIVEr Champion, is running to promote living liver donation.
  • Funds raised will support ALF programs including the 'Think Liver Think Life' campaign, Living Donor Network, and advocacy efforts.

The big picture

The American Liver Foundation's reliance on events like the Boston Marathon highlights the challenges faced by non-profits in securing consistent funding. With approximately 100 million Americans affected by liver disease, ALF's efforts are crucial, but their dependence on volunteer runners and event-driven fundraising creates inherent volatility. The focus on living donation underscores a growing trend towards innovative solutions in organ transplantation, but also emphasizes the need for broader public awareness and donor recruitment.

What we're watching

Fundraising Efficiency
The success of ALF's fundraising efforts will depend on the team's ability to attract donors and the effectiveness of their online campaign, given the increasing competition for charitable contributions.
Living Donation
The impact of Delaney's advocacy for living liver donation will be measured by whether it translates into a tangible increase in donor registrations and ultimately, successful transplants.
Program Sustainability
ALF's ability to sustain its programs, like 'Think Liver Think Life,' hinges on consistent fundraising and may be challenged by broader economic conditions impacting charitable giving.

Liver Disease Advocates Push for Policy Changes Amidst Underserved Patient Population

Event summary

  • The American Liver Foundation (ALF) is hosting a 'Liver Life Advocacy Summit' in Washington, D.C., April 21-22, 2026.
  • Advocates will focus on legislative priorities including support for living donors, improved patient access, pediatric screening, and CDC initiatives.
  • The summit aims to influence Congress to address the fact that liver disease affects approximately 100 million Americans, but receives comparatively low federal investment.
  • ALF will honor Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE) and Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) for their contributions to liver health advocacy.

The big picture

The ALF's advocacy push highlights a significant gap in federal investment and attention towards liver disease, a condition affecting a substantial portion of the US population. This initiative underscores the growing role of patient advocacy groups in shaping healthcare policy and influencing resource allocation. The focus on issues like living donor support and access to care reflects broader trends toward addressing financial barriers and health equity within the healthcare system.

What we're watching

Policy Impact
The success of ALF's lobbying efforts will hinge on bipartisan support, given the current political climate and potential for legislative gridlock.
Funding Trends
Increased CDC funding for MASLD surveillance and screening could signal a broader shift in public health priorities, but will depend on budget allocations.
Patient Engagement
The long-term sustainability of ALF's advocacy relies on maintaining and expanding its network of 'Liver Life Advocates' and their ability to influence policymakers.

American Liver Foundation Launches Living Donor Network to Address Transplant Shortage

Event summary

  • The American Liver Foundation (ALF) launched its Living Donor Network in 2025, a database connecting potential living liver donors with transplant centers nationwide.
  • Approximately 9,000 people in the U.S. are currently waiting for a liver transplant.
  • The network focuses on facilitating 'non-directed' or 'altruistic' donations, where donors are willing to give a portion of their liver to an unknown recipient.
  • ALF is hosting a series of webinars and support groups throughout April 2026 to raise awareness and provide resources for patients, caregivers, and donors.
  • Dr. Sudha Kodali of Houston Methodist will be the keynote speaker at the April 11th 'ReBirthday Celebration' event.

The big picture

The ALF's Living Donor Network addresses a critical bottleneck in the organ transplant system, where demand far outstrips supply. By leveraging altruistic donors, ALF aims to reduce wait times and improve outcomes for liver transplant candidates. This initiative highlights a growing trend towards innovative solutions to address healthcare shortages, potentially influencing other organ transplant programs and philanthropic efforts.

What we're watching

Adoption Rate
The success of the Living Donor Network hinges on its ability to attract both donors and transplant centers; slow adoption could limit its impact on the transplant waitlist.
Donor Screening
Stringent screening processes for potential living donors will be crucial to ensure patient safety and minimize donor risk, potentially impacting the network's growth.
Regulatory Landscape
Changes in regulations surrounding living organ donation could significantly affect the network's operations and the willingness of individuals to participate.

Liver Foundation Appoints NASH Advocate as Board Chair

Event summary

  • David Frank, Senior Product Manager at Wells Fargo Securities, was elected Chair of the American Liver Foundation (ALF) board, succeeding Emmanuel Thomas, MD, PhD.
  • Outgoing Chair Thomas highlights ALF’s recent achievements, including $1.1 million in research funding, a partnership with the VA/VHA, and the creation of a Living Donor Network.
  • Frank’s involvement with ALF began in 2014 following his mother’s death from MASH (formerly NASH), and he founded the NASH AWARE blog to raise awareness.
  • Frank succeeds Thomas, who served as chair for three years and was on the board for ten, including leadership roles on the Nominating and Investment Committees.

The big picture

The appointment of a finance professional and NASH advocate to lead a major liver disease foundation signals a potential shift towards more data-driven and targeted fundraising and awareness campaigns. With over 100 million Americans affected by liver disease, the pressure to accelerate research and patient outreach is significant, and the new chair’s emphasis on speed and scale indicates a desire for more aggressive action. The Living Donor Network initiative, coupled with the VA partnership, suggests a growing focus on innovative solutions to address the organ shortage crisis.

What we're watching

Strategic Focus
Frank's personal connection to MASH and his advocacy work suggest a sharpened focus on this specific disease area, potentially shifting resource allocation within ALF.
Fundraising
The new chair's background in finance may influence fundraising strategies, potentially leading to a greater emphasis on corporate partnerships and data-driven philanthropy.
Public Profile
Frank’s existing public profile and blog, NASH AWARE, could amplify ALF’s message and expand its reach, but also introduces potential reputational risks if messaging diverges.

NAFLD Inpatient Stays Surge 88% as Awareness Lags

Event summary

  • AHRQ's first report on NAFLD (now MASLD) reveals an 88.1% increase in related inpatient stays from 2016 to 2022.
  • NAFLD-related inpatient stays represent a small fraction (1-2%) of total stays.
  • The rise in stays is primarily driven by NAFLD being a secondary diagnosis, often linked to conditions like septicemia and obesity.
  • Approximately 1 in 4 Americans are estimated to have MASLD, with 1.5-6.5% having the more severe MASH.
  • The report assesses costs associated with NAFLD and the potential impact of untreated progression to MASH.

The big picture

The AHRQ report highlights a growing public health challenge with significant cost implications. The fact that NAFLD/MASLD is often a secondary diagnosis underscores a broader issue of undiagnosed chronic conditions contributing to hospitalizations. This report provides a baseline for tracking the impact of emerging therapies and preventative measures, and will likely shape future healthcare policy and investment decisions in the space.

What we're watching

Regulatory Scrutiny
The AHRQ report's findings will likely increase pressure on pharmaceutical companies and diagnostic firms to develop and market effective treatments and screening tools for MASLD/MASH, potentially accelerating R&D investment and competition.
Diagnostic Adoption
The relatively low awareness and diagnosis rates suggest that broader adoption of screening and diagnostic tools will be crucial to managing the condition's progression and reducing long-term healthcare costs, impacting diagnostic companies.
Policy Response
The report’s data on costs and prevalence may spur further legislative action and government funding for research and patient support programs, influencing reimbursement models and access to care.

American Liver Foundation Leverages Animation to Expand Pediatric Support

Event summary

  • The American Liver Foundation (ALF) launched an animated video adaptation of its 'Bili the Brave' children's book in February 2026.
  • The video features narration by CNN political commentator Bakari Sellers and his daughter, Sadie Sellers, who has biliary atresia (BA).
  • The 'Bili the Brave' toolkit, including the book, video, plush toy, and educational materials, is distributed to 26 children's hospitals.
  • The toolkit aims to provide support and education for children and families affected by BA, a rare liver disease.

The big picture

The American Liver Foundation's initiative represents a growing trend among patient advocacy groups to leverage creative content and partnerships to improve patient understanding and emotional support. While BA is a rare condition, the program's success could serve as a model for other niche disease areas. The reliance on pro bono contributions from entities like Fox Entertainment highlights the challenges of sustaining such programs without significant philanthropic investment.

What we're watching

Distribution Scale
The effectiveness of the toolkit hinges on expanding distribution beyond the current 26 hospitals; ALF's ability to secure partnerships with additional institutions will be key to reaching more families.
Content Resonance
The long-term impact of the animated video and toolkit will depend on its ability to resonate with children and families facing BA, requiring ongoing assessment and potential content updates.
Funding Sustainability
Maintaining the free distribution of the toolkit and supporting related programs (webinars, support groups) necessitates consistent fundraising and donor engagement from ALF.
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