Richard S.

Hepatic Encephalopathy and End Stage Liver Disease

Eight years ago I was diagnosed with End-Stage Liver Disease caused from Hepatic Encephalopathy.

That began a journey during which I was to learn first hand of the benefits of the ALF.

The gravity and complexity of the process of securing a liver transplant became very clear to my wife, Pam, and I as we ventured through extended visits to the Tulane Medical School Abdominal Transplant Center, The University of Alabama Birmingham Medical School and finally the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

It was through the grace of God and the sacrifice of my youngest son Chris, that I was able to participate in a life-saving program pioneered by the Mayo Clinic in which he became my living donor.

And now five years later, Chris is doing fine and I am an active student of the wonderful game of Pickleball. This would not have been possible without the research and advocacy efforts supported by the ALF that resulted in the programs like those at Mayo Clinic that serve patients like me.