Happy Holiday Season

It gives me great pleasure to send all our wonderful patients, caregivers, providers, partners and friends of the Pacific Division of the American Liver Foundation, our very best wishes for a happy and safe holiday season.  During this time filled with love and joy and goodwill, it is a perfect opportunity to reflect on those things that make us grateful.  I am especially grateful for all the dedicated volunteer leaders on the division’s Board of Directors and Medical Advisory Committee who work so well together to fulfill the mission of the organization. The work we do is made easier because of the collaborative efforts among these two leadership bodies and our division staff.  We have demonstrated leadership and the ability to work with the County in halting the Hepatitis A outbreak, provided numerous educational conferences, held important conversations with elected officials and been interviewed by the media to increase awareness of the many different liver diseases.

We have also received recognition from ALF’s national office for our efforts to increase awareness of liver disease and to promote liver health. While we have many tasks to accomplish in the coming year, I am positive we will be successful in accomplishing our goals because of the solid base that has been put in place. Our successful collegiality and shared leadership style is a model for other organizations and makes us stronger. Thank you again to all the volunteers, donors and staff who do such an amazing job!

Terry Cunningham
President, Board of Directors
Pacific Coast Division

Warmest Wishes,
Scott, Lauren and Peggy

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A Year in Review: 2017 Highlights

Advocacy

• Delegation from San Diego was able to participate in ALF’s Hill Day in DC.
• Volunteers and staff met with three congressional representatives during visits in the district.

Programs

• Held the annual Ask the Experts Liver Wellness Conference.
• Expanded services by holding an Ask the Experts in Southeast San Diego, El Centro and Hawaii.
• Held two webinars as part of our Ask the Experts series.
• Continued to provide public education by providing community talks on Love Your Liver, Viral Hepatitis and Alcohol and Your Liver.

Public Awareness

• Developed relationships with KUSI and ABC 10 to air important segments on liver disease.  These included segments organ donation, NAFLD and Viral Hepatitis.
• Had an OpEd published by the San Diego Union Tribune on the Hepatitis A outbreak.

Events

• Held our 19^th annual Liver Life Walk in San Diego, raising more than the previous year.
• Held our 1^st North County San Diego Liver Life Walk.
• Held a successful Flavors of San Diego, raising more than the previous year.
• Launched a new event called Sip n’ Savor that expanded ALF message to a new audience.

On January 30, 2018, the American Liver Foundation will hold its first ever Ask The Experts Roundtable on Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) in collaboration with the PBCers Organization. Presenting will be:

Dr. Saumya Jayakumar, Assistant Professor of Medicine, UC San Diego Health

Dr. Robert Gish, Asian Pacific Health Foundation, La Maestra Clinic, and UCSD Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences 

Cathy Mumford, PBC Patient and Advocate, PBCers Organization-Executive Committee American Liver Foundation-NPAC.

The Event will be held at the 211 Connections Center, 3860 Calle Fortunada, Suite 101, San Diego, CA 92123.  Intended audiences are Patients, Caregivers, RNs, PAs, LVNs, LPNs, NPs, PHNs, PharmDs, MDs, Clinical and Outreach Staff, Counselors and Case Managers and Interested Parties. 

This Event is FREE and Refreshments will be provided. 

Contact Margaret Beers, mbeers@liverfoundation.org or 619-291-5483 for more information or to regsiter.

We have many wonderful ways and great reasons to get involved with the American Liver Foundation and give back to the community while making new friends at the same time! Below are current opportunities available with the Pacific Coast Division

Office Volunteer
 

We are currently looking for individuals who are eager and excited about assisting in the prep and execution of our Annual Flavors of San Diego silent auction. We are looking for Six Auction Committee Members who would like to join this amazing and crucial committee. 

Please contact Lauren Smith at
lsmith@liverfoundation.org to learn more!
 

The American Liver Foundation in San Diego is looking for individuals who are eager and excited about assisting in the prep and execution of our Annual Sip 'n Savor San Diego. 

• Marketing & PR
• Raffles (Tickets & Prizes)
• Volunteer Management
• Registration
• Brewery Chairs
• Sponsorships

Please contact Lauren Smith at
lsmith@liverfoundation.org to learn more!

Liver Education: Liver Cancer Consortium Webinar

Dr. Yuko Kono, Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist/UC San Diego Health, will present a case study on hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) and discuss risk factors, screening and treatment options on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM PST and 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM HST.  The webinar is open to Hepatologists, Gastroenterologists, Fellows, RNs, PAs, LVNs, NPs, PHNs, PharmDs, MDs and other medical professionals.

The Webinar will be moderated by Scott Suckow, Executive Director, Pacific Coast Division American Liver Foundation and Liz Helms, Chief Executive Officer,
California Chronic Care Coalition.   

For more information contact Margaret Beers, 619-291-5483 or mbeers@liverfoundation.org.

Sip 'n Savor San Diego

Liver Life Walk San Diego

Ask the Experts: Liver Wellness Forum SE San Diego

Liver Wellness Conference: Ask the Experts

Flavors of San Diego

Liver Life Walk Oceanside