Time and again we've all heard about eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. Just maybe if we do and also cut down on fatty foods and exercise regularly, we can keep our entire body in good working order.
The Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Liver Foundation raises awareness of how important a healthy liver is to our good health.
The foundation is an advocate for patients with liver disease, funds research, educates men and women in medical fields and informs the public. This leading nonprofit organization promotes liver health and disease prevention through healthcare professionals and communities in 32 Pennsylvania counties and the entire state of West Virginia.
Everything we eat, drink, breathe and absorb through our skin eventually reaches our liver. It is the largest internal organ in the human body.
Weighing three to four pounds, the liver neutralizes harmful toxins and wastes, stores glycogen (blood-sugar regulator), amino acids, protein and fat. Among other functions, it also removes harmful materials from the blood and converts food into energy.
"At 27, my daughter was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, an inflammation and scarring of ducts in and outside the liver," said Naomi Herman, president of the western Pennsylvania chapter.
"She had no symptoms of illness. The results of a routine blood test, that included a liver profile, identified a problem with her liver.
"After my daughter was diagnosed, I knew I had a job to do. I felt compelled to educate others as best I could," continued Naomi. "After learning about the National Liver Foundation, I campaigned to bring a chapter to Pittsburgh. I wrote letters to doctors and met with them. Everywhere I went, I raised awareness of liver disease."
Before long Naomi met a woman from the North Hills whose son was diagnosed with the same disease her daughter had.
Through Naomi's positive influence with education and research, the western Pennsylvania chapter readily supports the national mission to prevent, treat and cure hepatitis and other liver diseases. The local chapter creates and conducts workshops and seminars, coordinates support groups and works with local media and community groups--all with the single purpose of increasing awareness on how to maintain a healthy liver as well as knowledge of the many types of the disease.
The chapter spreads the word through community events, school groups, company gatherings and men's and women's clubs, all without cost.
In May, the Western Pennsylvania Chapter plans the following outreach programs:
n A Pediatric Liver Conference will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 3 at the Carnegie Science Center. The program will focus on liver diseases affecting infants, children and adolescents. Leading pediatric liver doctors from Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh will speak on topics including Hepatitis C, Fatty Liver, Autoimmune Hepatitis, and Infants with Liver Disease. Call Suzanna Masartis at 412-434-7044 for information.
n The 5th Annual Three Rivers Liver Walk, presented by UPMC-Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, will be held Sunday, May 18 at the Southside Heritage Trail. Registration for the 5K walk begins at 8:30 a.m.
Proceeds from foundation fund-raisers are used to prevent, treat and cure liver disease. Research is being done by local doctors at Pittsburgh's major hospitals.
The Liver Foundation actively encourages local, state and federal policymakers to advance medical research and public health educational programs.