Resources- Specific Diagnosis Card Catalog- Liver Disease

Who to Contact

American Liver Foundation (ALF)
75 Maiden Lane, Suite 603
New York, NY 10038
800-465-4837 (toll-free)
888-443-7872 (toll-free)
212-668-1000 (phone)
212-483-8179 (fax)
E-mail: info@liverfoundation.org
Web: www.liverfoundation.org

The American Liver Foundation is a national, voluntary nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and cure of hepatitis and other liver diseases through research, education and advocacy. Although liver diseases are among the leading seven 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 formed. Many serious liver diseases are potentially preventable; education about them can give individuals an opportunity to participate in their own preventive health care. An increase in research can make it possible to develop improved treatments and find cures. A major effort is necessary to control the increase in liver diseases.

Children's Liver Association for Support Services (CLASS)
27023 McBean Parkway #126
Valencia, CA 91355
877-679-8256 (toll-free)
661-263-9099 (phone/fax)
Email: info@classkids.org
Web: www.classkids.org

The Children's Liver Association for Support Services has a mission to provide family support, emotional support and educational materials for families with children afflicted with liver disease and liver transplantation and they provide medical research seed grants. Additionally, they strive to increase public awareness about the importance of organ donation.

CLASS maintains a telephone hot line to enable liver disease patients, their families and the general public to obtain information about liver disease, services of the organization, and referrals to medical professionals. They preform family matching with other families in their geographical area via database and provide direct financial assistance to families in need directly related to their child's liver disease.

CLASS publishes a quarterly newsletter, CLASS Notes, that is free, and are planning to have several brochures available. They have a bibliography of books and articles that are available to members and a lending library of articles on liver transplants, immunosuppressant medications, hepatitis, and books that include, "Puzzle People, Love, Medicine, Miracles," and "How it Feels to Fight for Your Life."

Where to Go to Chat with Others

CLASSKIDS Discussion Forum

Liver Children
Children's Liver Alliance List FOR FAMILIES Dedicated to empowering the hearts and minds of children with liver disease, their families and the medical professionals who care for them. Open to all families, friends and medical professionals who have an interest in pediatric liver disease and transplantation.

Biliary Atresia Network
Biliary Atresia Network is an online support group for families who are dealing with the pediatric liver disease, biliary atresia pre or post transplant. Members will share stories, seek support, ask questions, pray together or just talk. This group is open to all families, friends and medical professionals who care for children with biliary atresia.

Liversupportgroup - a support group for those whose lives are touched by liver disease
This is a support group for those whose lives have been touched by any liver disease. If you yourself are the patient, or if it is a family member or friend, then this is the place where you can find others who are experiencing what you are going through. I am not a doctor, and no medical advice will be given, but by sharing our experiences, we can help each other deal with the disease that not only touches the patient, but those around him or her.

Learn More About It

Diseases of the Liver
From Columbia University Gastroenterology Web

Pediatric Liver Disease
From the American Liver Foundation

Liver Disease in Children and Babies
From the Children's Liver Disease Foundation

Research into causes and treatments of liver disease in babies and children
From the Children's Liver Disease Foundation

Liver Diseases
U.S. National Library of Medicine

Links

Children's Liver Association for Support Services

Children's Liver Disease Foundation - UK

American Liver Foundation (ALF)

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
National Institutes of Health

Children's Organ Transplant Association
Provides fundraising assistance for children needing life-saving transplants and promotes organ, marrow and tissue donation.