Liver Foundation

The Liver Foundation the national peak body for all liver diseases.

The Foundation is dedicated to:

1. Promoting the prevention, control and cures of liver diseases;
2. The promotion and funding of scientific research relating to liver, disease;
3. The provision of patient and clinician education about liver diseases ;
4. The promotion of community knowledge of liver diseases.

Reasons for Establishment

1. One in three Australians have some form of liver disease
2. More than 3,000 Australians die each year from chronic liver diseases, cirrhosis and cancers
3. Many, forms of liver disease are preventable and many more, if detected early, can be treated effectively;
4. Fatty liver, an obesity-related chronic liver condition, affects one in 3 adults in Australia;
5. Liver cancer is the most rapidly increasing cancer worldwide;
6. Hepatitis B and C significantly increase the risk of liver cancer;
7. Almost 3,000 Australian adults and children have undergone successful liver transplantation and require ongoing care to optimise their level of anti-rejection drugs and reduce the likelihood of recurrent liver diseases;
8. Between 15 and 20 Australian children each year are born with Biliary Atresia, an aggressive liver disease responsible for 60% of all paediatric liver transplants. Better understanding of the cause and mechanisms of disease progression may prevent the need for liver transplantation in these children.

The present investment in liver research and public education is scant in relation to the magnitude, mortality and severity of these diseases.

The Liver Foundation raises funds for urgently needed scholarships, fellowships, research, advocacy, patient support and public education in the above areas.

Funds are distributed nationally.

Preference is given to the funding of projects which demonstrate strong collaboration among organisations, researchers, scientists and educators, aimed at producing significant outcomes.

www.liver.org.au