Fatty Liver Foundation Launches a Public-Private Partnership to Combat the Silent Epidemic of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
Fatty Liver Foundation Launches a Public-Private Partnership to Combat the Silent Epidemic of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
Building on the experience of FLF, the leading patient advocacy organization, the NAFLD Screening Fund aims to identify and support at-risk populations to combat the rising incidence and mortality of NAFLD in the United States.
Monday, October 4, 2021, Boise, IDAHO — As October marks National Liver Awareness Month, the Fatty Liver Foundation (FLF) is launching the NAFLD Screening Fund, a new five-year, multi-stakeholder, public-private partnership aimed at accelerating progress in the detection, diagnosis, staging, care, and research of NAFLD among at-risk and asymptomatic populations in the United States, where there is a significant unmet need.
Read moreThe Fatty Liver Foundation and Fibronsotics form a patient education partnership
FLF Launches a Patient Education Partnership to Expand Patient Outreach and Accelerate Early Identification of People with Undiagnosed Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
BOISE, ID; Dec 07, 2020 ― The Fatty Liver Foundation (FLF) announced today it is launching a new patient education partnership, in collaboration with Fibronostics, to meet the urgent need for early screening, identification, and intervention for people at-risk of developing nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. FLF and Fibronostics will work toward a shared mission of facilitating access to non-invasive tests that can help identify those at-risk of developing NASH as early as possible.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an umbrella term that describes a spectrum of conditions ranging from non-alcoholic fatty liver to the more aggressive nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH is a serious condition and can cause scarring of the liver, which leads to cirrhosis, as well as metabolic complications making it a unique medical condition requiring complex care. Comorbidities, such as metabolic syndrome, obesity and NASH, increase the risk factor and severity for patients with the COVID-19 virus.
Since NASH is asymptomatic until advanced disease, many patients are only identified at advanced stages. One of FLF’s core priorities is to educate people at-risk for NASH and facilitate access to early screening, diagnosis, and care that can save lives.
Read moreGabriella Wan joins the Fatty Liver Foundation
BOISE, IDAHO (October 13, 2020) — Fatty Liver Foundation today announced the appointment of Gabriella A. Wan as Executive Assistant and Program Coordinator effective October 9, 2020. Gabriella will provide administrative support of the CEO’s office and program coordination of the executive leadership team.
Gabriella joins the Fatty Liver Foundation from Georgetown University Department of Global Health where she served as Research Assistant with a focus on health economics and financing. She previously served as Administrative Assistant at Georgetown University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences where she provided administrative support to the Deans’ Offices.
Gabriella received a Bachelor of Science in Global Health and a Master of Science in Global Health from Georgetown University. She also participated in the School for International Training (SIT) Honors Program where she engaged in field-based global health programs in Washington, DC, Vietnam, South Africa, and Argentina.
“We are thrilled to welcome Gabriella to the team,” said Wayne Eskridge, Co-Founder and CEO of Fatty Liver Foundation. “Her new role is essential for supporting the growth of our operations and programs as well as advancing our mission to identify and educate people who are at-risk for NAFLD/NASH or living with NASH.”
# # #
Fatty Liver Foundation Appoints New Chief Financial Officer
BOISE, IDAHO (April 30, 2020) — Fatty Liver Foundation today announced the appointment of Matthew J. Yust as Chief Financial Officer effective May 1, 2020. Yust will join the organization’s executive leadership team.
Yust joins Fatty Liver Foundation from PILnet, the global network for public interest law, where he served as Chief Financial Officer and oversaw the financial management operations for an $8 million annual budget. He previously served in other senior executive roles at non-profit organizations, including as Director of Finance and Operations at Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; Director of Finance and Operations at Clinton Foundation; Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at James Beard Foundation; and Chief Financial Officer at Family Care International.
“We are thrilled to welcome Matt to the team,” said Wayne Eskridge, Co-Founder and CEO of Fatty Liver Foundation. “His expertise will enable us to continue our focus on fiscal responsibility that is vital to support the growth of our operations and to best serve our mission to identify asymptomatic, undiagnosed Americans with fatty liver disease, and to educate them on the lifestyle changes needed to halt or minimize disease progression.”
###
Read more
Echosens Aligns with Fatty Liver Foundation to Accelerate Screening for Undiagnosed Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Echosens, a high-technology company offering the FibroScan family of products, is proud to support the Fatty Liver Foundation (FLF), a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting fatty liver disease and advocating for ongoing screening of undiagnosed nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its more severe form nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). FLF is raising awareness about this asymptomatic condition affecting as many as one-in-three Americans. As part of its initiatives, FLF is using FibroScan, a painless, five-minute test at the point of care to help physicians detect, monitor and prevent the progression of liver disease among patients who are often asymptomatic and may be high-risk.
Fatty Liver Foundation Announces Completion of the Recruitment Phase of SUNN Study (Screening for Undiagnosed NAFLD and NASH)
“Completing recruitment for this proof-of-concept study is another important step forward for FLF’s ongoing community outreach, education and advocacy efforts toward proactive screening for advancing liver disease among at-risk populations for NAFLD and NASH,” commented Wayne Eskridge, FLF’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer.
An estimated 100 million Americans have NAFLD, or its more serious form NASH. Despite the significant morbidity associated with NAFLD and NASH, currently there are no global consensus guidelines to screen for liver fibrosis in at-risk individuals, including people older than 50 years with type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome. The medical standard of care for asymptomatic liver disease is to not actively look for the condition. As a society we do not try to screen for advancing liver disease. This practice commonly results in the first time a patient hears about NASH is being told they have cirrhosis or end stage liver disease. As a patient-led education and advocacy organization, FLF believes the current policy is incorrect.
“We believe it is just wrong to allow a patient become terminally ill before telling them about their liver disease,” said Neeraj Mistry, MD, MPH, FLF’s Chief Medical Officer. “There are no drugs to treat liver disease so doctors don’t look for it, but there are things people can do to avoid cirrhosis. Sadly, while we speak of wellness as a goal, without a pill, we don’t promote liver health.”
The SUNN study is a clinical trial sponsored by patients to develop data to argue for proactive screening for advancing liver disease. FLF aims to give visibility to, and to amplify the voices of people with NAFLD and NASH. FLF’s goal is to play a fundamental role in shaping the scientific, educational, and public health response to NAFLD and NASH by advocating and championing a patient-centric approach to improving the identification, diagnosis, treatment and support of people with NAFLD and NASH.
EASL 2019
The Fatty Liver Foundation Amplifies
The Voice of Patients with NAFLD and NASH
at The International Liver Congress™ 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: April 2, 2019
VIENNA, AUSTRIA (April 2, 2019) — At the upcoming International Liver Congress™ 2019, from April 10 to 14, 2019 in Vienna, Austria, the Fatty Liver Foundation aims to give visibility and amplify the voices of people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The International Liver Congress™, the annual European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) meeting, is one of the largest conferences of its kind and plays a fundamental role in shaping the scientific, educational, and public health response to NAFLD and NASH. At this year’s Congress, the Fatty Liver Foundation will for the first time attend as a key player for advocating and championing patient-centric approach to improving the identification, diagnosis, treatment and support of people with NAFLD/NASH.
NAFLD is rapidly being recognized as one of the most prevalent causes of chronic liver disease worldwide and the most common form of liver disease in children. NAFLD can potentially progress to cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. Due to liver-related morbidity and mortality, NAFLD has major economic impact on healthcare costs. The majority of people living with NAFLD are asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally. Currently, there are no approved treatments for NAFLD and NASH, except for lifestyle modifications.
“When combined with their common comorbidities, NAFLD and NASH are the Swiss army knife of death.” said Wayne Eskridge, CEO of the Fatty Liver Foundation. “This disease has reached epidemic levels, so we’re energized by EASL’s inclusion of the patient voice in developing not only effective, but also relevant, medical treatments.”
Available for Interview
Wayne Eskridge, CEO of the Fatty Liver Foundation
Wayne Eskridge, an electrical engineer from the University of Idaho, worked in software and electronics through a 50-year professional career. Starting out as a computer programmer, he held both technical and executive roles in both public and private corporations in businesses of all sizes, from start-ups to Fortune 500 firms.
Eskridge was first diagnosed in 2010 and his subsequent experience in learning about NAFLD/NASH, which was challenging, led him to develop a website aimed solely at educating patients about this disease. Eskridge was astounded to learn that today an estimated 100 million Americans have “silent” fatty liver disease and most are completely unaware of it. While there is currently no medical treatment for NAFLD/NASH, Eskridge has successfully improved his liver health solely through lifestyle changes. As a champion for the patient voice and the founder of the Fatty Liver Foundation, Eskridge focuses on disease prevention and education in the hope of helping others avoid his difficult experiences.
###
About The Fatty Liver Foundation
The Fatty Liver Foundation is a non-profit patient organization dedicated to improving the identification, diagnosis, treatment & support of Americans with fatty liver, NAFLD or NASH through awareness, screening, education and patient outreach. The Foundation’s goal is to improve the lives of both asymptomatic and diagnosed patients by raising awareness, developing wellness screening, educating patients and championing the development of a responsive support systems for individuals of the growing epidemic of fatty liver disease.
For more information on the Fatty Liver Foundation, please visit www.fattyliverfoundation.org and follow the Fatty Liver Foundation on Twitter (@LiverSaver).
About The International Liver Congress™
This annual congress is the biggest event in the EASL calendar, attracting scientific and medical experts from around the world to learn about the latest in liver research. Attending specialists present, share, debate and conclude on the latest science and research in hepatology, working to enhance the treatment and management of liver disease in clinical practice. This year, the congress is expected to attract approximately 10,000 delegates from all corners of the globe. The International Liver Congress™ 2019 will take place from 10¬–14 April 2019 at the Reed Messe Wien Congress and Exhibition Center, Vienna, Austria.
About The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL)
Since its foundation in 1966, this not-for-profit organization has grown to over 4,000 members from all over the world, including many of the leading hepatologists in Europe and beyond. EASL is the leading liver association in Europe, having evolved into a major European association with international influence, and with an impressive track record in promoting research in liver disease, supporting wider education and promoting changes in European liver policy.
Note to Editor
Wayne Eskridge, CEO of the Fatty Liver Foundation, is available for interview prior to and on-site during the International Liver Congress™.
Media Contact:
Henry E. Chang | +1 917 400 8900 | [email protected]
Wayne Eskridge | +1 208 860 0546 | [email protected]
Press FAQ --- Fatty Liver Foundation
MEDIA FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
What are NAFLD and NASH?
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition in which excess fat is stored in your liver. When fatty liver progresses to inflammation and cell damage, the result is non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH is a serious progressive liver disease where chronic inflammation results in progressive fibrosis or scarring that can lead to cirrhosis, eventual liver failure, cancer and death. Advanced fibrosis is associated with a substantially higher risk of liver-related morbidity and mortality in patients with NASH, and as early as 2020, the disease is projected to become the leading cause of liver transplants in the United States. There are currently no medications approved for the treatment of NASH.
What is the Fatty Liver Foundation?
The Fatty Liver Foundation (FLF) is the first non-profit, voice of the patient organization solely devoted to helping people with fatty liver disease and the more serious version NASH.
What is the mission of FLF?
FLF’s mission is to improve the diagnosis, treatment and support of Americans with fatty liver, NAFLD or NASH through awareness, screening, education and outreach.
What are the goals of FLF?
- Raise awareness on the existence, prevalence, causes, and threat of fatty liver disease in at-risk populations;
- Develop mobile wellness screening to identify people in at-risk populations that have advancing but asymptomatic liver disease;
- Educate patients about the disease as well as dietary and lifestyle approaches that can slow or halt its progression;
- Champion the development of a responsive support system for patients;
- Facilitate the connection between diagnosed patients and clinical trials;
- Build a database of screening test results for epidemiological and interventional research.
Who leads FLF?
Wayne Eskridge is the founder and CEO of the Fatty Liver Foundation. Wayne worked in software and electronics through a 50-year professional career. He held both technical and executive roles in both public and private corporations in businesses of all sizes, from start-ups to Fortune 500 firms.
Wayne was first diagnosed with liver disease in 2010 and, as a result of his own experiences, he became aware of an acute need for an educational resource from a patient perspective. At the core of his motivation is the fact that an estimated 100 million Americans already have fatty liver disease and are unaware of it. While there is currently no medical treatment for NAFLD and NASH, lifestyle changes can be effective in managing the disease. Prevention through education is the only practical solution today. His desire to help others avoid his experiences led him to the decision to become a champion for the patient voice and to create FLF.
What are FLF’s current projects?
Patient-Centric Website
Central to the goal of patient education and outreach is the FLF website, www.fattyliverfoundation.org. The website serves as a reliable source for NAFLD and NASH information, delivery of technical information in a non-technical manner, and serving as a point of contact for patients and caregivers.
A key to adding value to the patient voice is the bringing together of the many individual voices in a way that they may be collectively heard. People with fatty liver disease have not typically been recognized during their asymptomatic phase and often learn of disease with a cirrhosis diagnosis. Through the website outreach, FLF seeks to alert people to the risks and actions that they may take.
SUNN Study
FLF is running a population-based cohort research project — the SUNN Study (Screening for Undiagnosed NAFLD and NASH (clinicaltrials.gov NCT03726827). The purpose of this study is to measure liver stiffness of patients who are coping with chronic health conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, etc., but are not known to have liver disease. It is designed to help measure how many people have asymptomatic undiagnosed liver disease in these high-risk populations.
The SUNN Study is the pilot phase of the FLF’s plan to deploy 400 mobile screening systems nationwide to screen for asymptomatic but advancing liver disease. A challenge facing medical research is a lack of early-stage liver patients who exist but have not been identified and thus are not candidates for clinical trials.
National Fatty Liver Registry
FLF is leading the development of the National Fatty Liver Registry (NFLR) in partnership with various leading organizations to design and implement this strategic and landmark project. The goal is to build the largest database of screening test results for NAFLD and NASH in the world. At scale and full deployment, the target is one million tests per year, capturing valuable data for epidemiological and interventional research.
Where does FLF get its funding?
FLF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that relies on the generous contributions of individuals, corporate sponsorships, in-kind donations, and grants to support and sustain its operations in order to advance FLF’s mission and catalytic projects.
###
For more information on the Fatty Liver Foundation, please visit www.fattyliverfoundation.org and follow the Fatty Liver Foundation on Twitter (@LiverSaver).
Dancing with the Dark Angel
Change Yourself, Change the World
As published in the Idaho Magazine
There are moments in life you never forget. They don’t fade much with time and you can go back there, even if you would rather not, and remember them with crystal clarity. Whenever I go to a health care facility, it inevitably takes me back to a morning in late December 2010, following my gallbladder surgery. Having been released from recovery a short while previously, I found my Boise hospital bed surrounded by a sea of white coats. Sitting nearby was my wife, silent tears running down her cheeks. The doctors said during my procedure the surgeon had discovered my liver was badly scarred.
“You have stage four cirrhosis,” one said.
Try that on soon after being under anesthesia if you want a hormone rush. I remember the cascade of thoughts clearly: “That can’t be, I’m not an alcoholic. They must have the wrong room. I don’t have any symptoms. Why is my wife crying?”
Denial, so easy for us humans, bloomed in all its glory. But my defenses wilted when the doctor said, “I’m sorry, we have no treatment.”
Kiss and Click Challenge
Amsety and Fatty Liver Foundation Partner to Raise Funds for Liver Health Awareness Through the “Kiss and Click” Challenge
Now, for Millions of Americans, education on liver health is just a Kiss and Click away! Amsety - the first nutrition bar company dedicated to liver health, and the Fatty Liver Foundation - the first U.S. non-profit patient organization dedicated to the growing problem of fatty liver disease in America, are launching the “KISS AND CLICK FOR LIVER HEALTH” challenge.
Through this challenge, Amsety and the Fatty Liver Foundation are determined to promote awareness of the growing problem of liver disease in the US and to encourage donations to the Fatty Liver Foundation to support their liver health initiatives and fund fatty liver disease screenings for those at risk, but unable to afford the examination.
Read more