American Liver Foundation
Encyclopedia
The American Liver Foundation is a non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...

 that promotes liver
Liver
The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion...

 health and disease prevention. The mission of the ALF is to facilitate, advocate and promote education, support and research for the prevention, treatment and cure of liver disease.

ALF History

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 created by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (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 American Liver Foundation complement the great work of AASLD.

Currently, the American Liver Foundation has 16 Divisions across the U.S. The American Liver Foundation makes a measurable difference in the fight against liver disease by providing financial support for medical research, education for medical professionals, and advocacy and information for patients and their families, and by creating public awareness campaigns about liver wellness and disease prevention.

ALF Education Programs

The liver may be the largest organ in the body, weighing in at 3½ pounds, but it is neither the most popular nor the best understood. So when a diagnosis of liver disease is made, it can be a frightening and confusing time in the lives of many patients and their families. That's where the American Liver Foundation comes in.

One of the most powerful ways of maintaining liver health and preventing liver disease is education. Many forms of liver disease are preventable, and many more can be cured if detected early. Yet tens of thousands of people in the U.S. are living with liver disease and don’t even know it. That’s why education about liver wellness and disease prevention is at the heart of everything the American Liver Foundation does. The Foundation implements a wide range of educational and preventative efforts.

ALF Research Awards

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 $22 million in research funding. Over 700 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.

ALF Events

The American Liver Foundation Divisions organize a wide range of fundraising events and educational programs throughout the year and across the country.

Get Involved with ALF

The American Liver Foundation offers a variety of opportunities to get involved.

ALF News

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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