The American Liver Foundation (ALF) is the nation's leading nonprofit organization promoting liver health and disease prevention. ALF provides research, education and advocacy for those affected by hepatitis and other liver-related disease.

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 formed.

The strength of the American Liver Foundation lies in its chapters. As recently as 1997, ALF's chapters served only 26% of the country, with one full-time staff member. Currently, ALF has 25 chapters and more than 200 support groups, serving over 75% of the country. Chapters have developed a host of methods to drive home messages of liver health through such programs as Liver Updates, support groups, screening programs and Organ Donor Awareness. They have also had great success developing such distinctive fundraising activities as Flavors of... events, Liver Walks, and Bid for Life.

There has been much progress since 1976, but the challenge remains. 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. We hope you will join ALF in the fight against hepatitis and liver disease.