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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.
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 perform 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."