Flavors of Connecticut - American Liver Foundation

American Liver Foundation Connecticut Division
Everything looks delicious!
Flavors of Connecticut:
July 2011
Vol. 29 Issue 1
No ordinary fundraiser
In This Issue:
Letter from the Chairman
2
New Board and MAC
3
Liver Life Walk Plans
4
Education News
5
Alcohol Abuse and Your Liver
8
New Hep C Treatments
9
Research Award Recipients
10
The 10th annual Flavors of Connecticut tion was hosted by Northeast Wine
was held on April 12th at the Aqua
Brokers, Van Gogh Vodka, Old
Turf Club in Plantsville, CT. A sellout
Burnside Brewing Company, Acqua
crowd of over 400 guests indulged in a Panna & San Pellegrino, and 116
five plus course meal prepared tableside Crown. A duo from Eight to the
with wine pairings by chefs from 32 of
Bar played light jazz while guests
Connecticut’s finest and most reputable bid on tempting silent auction items
restaurants. This
including a cheese
live culinary
truck party proexperience was
vided by Caseus
the largest and
Fromagerie Bistro,
most successful
Sous Chef for a
Flavors event
Day at the Stone
the Division has
House Restaurant,
hosted to date.
Walt Disney
On behalf of
World Passes,
the Connecticut
Air Tran, JetBlue
Division and
and Southwest
the Flavors
Airline tickets,
Committee, we
sports memorawould like to
bilia, and a backextend our most
stage tour of the
sincere gratitude
David Letterman
to all who attendshow and more.
ed and supported
The silent aucCopper Beech Inn table design,
Flavors 2011,
tion raised over
in honor of Flavor's 10th year
helping the
$26,500 alone.
Division raise
During the cocktail
over $215,000 for liver research, educa- reception guests were treated to hors
tion and advocacy.
d’oeurves creatively prepared by all
the participating chefs such as truffle
Guests of Flavors were welcomed by
tuna tartar in a crispy wonton shell
Dr. & Mrs. Robert Leventhal, Event
from the Beach House Restaurant
Co-Chairmen and Chef Peter Hamme
and foie gras “cupcake” with crème
and Chef David Foster, Honorary Chef
fraiche and tarragon from Craftsteak
Co-Chairmen. The cocktail recepPlease turn to Page 6
From the board chairman
Dear Friends:
In gathering my thoughts for this letter, I realized that I have been involved with the ALF and this Division for over ten years.
While this may seem like a long time, I can honestly say I have gotten back so much more than I have given. The excitement of
a Girl Scout learning all about her liver, the camaraderie of setting up our first liver walks at the beach and the sense of accomplishment when someone calls to say they heard me on the radio talking about liver disease, are only a few of the moments that
stand out in my mind. All of us who volunteer our time to the ALF know that we are the vital force behind the success of the
organization. However, we cannot survive if we do not constantly bring new people into the fold.
Webster lists the word volunteer as a noun, an adjective, or a verb. For our organization to thrive and grow, we need to recruit
more verbs! That is, people who do not just express a "willingness or desire to volunteer" but people who actually deliver on
that promise. We need individuals who "bestow, contribute, donate and give" their time, talent and resources in order to get
our message out. The American Liver Foundation continues to gain ground on the national stage as a recognized leader in the
fight against liver disease. Our signature events like Flavors and the Liver Life Walk continue to reach more people and bring
in the necessary monies to fund our research, advocacy and education programs. We are now partnering with major corporations to help fulfill our mission statement. But all of this will come to a grinding halt if we do not continue to replenish our
volunteer army. What I would like to ask of you all, is, to reach out to family members, co-workers, patients and anyone else
that you can think of, to see if you might find someone who is willing to help. I know of someone who was sitting in her hairdresser's chair and mentioned the Walk. It turned out that the hairdresser had a family member with liver disease and she was
interested in forming her own walk team. Some unlikely scenarios have introduced us to people who have become some of our
most active volunteers. Please keep this in mind when you are out and about and enjoying your summer.
Finally, it has been a pleasure to serve as your Board Chairperson for these past two years. While I had hoped to seek another
term, unforeseen circumstances at home and at work require me to focus my attention in those two areas. That does not mean
you will not see me actively involved in our Division's activities, I will continue to captain the Hartford Hospital Walk Team,
serve on the Flavors committee and help deliver our core programs to the community. My heart will always have a special place
for the struggle that people with liver disease endure and I will continue to do all that I can to give them a voice. The people
who work for and with our Connecticut Division are very special to me and some of the finest people I know. I truly believe
that our small Connecticut Division is the best in the country, and it is because of all of you!! Thank you for all of your hard
work.
Debera Palmeri
Debera Palmeri, RN-CCTC
ALF CT Division Board of Directors
Chairman
News from ALF National
The National Board is pleased to announce that Donna Cryer, CEO of
CryerHealth LLC, was named Chair of the American Liver Foundation.
Donna, a graduate of Harvard, is the first female and minortiy to serve as
Chair. She has 14 years of healthcare experience in for-profit and non-profit
settings, including the global public relations company Hill & Knowlton.
The National Office is also happy to welcome Phil Scarfo, of the CTALF
Division office, to his new role as Director of Programs at the National
Office in New York. In this capacity, Phil will have the primary responsibility to work closely with each Division to ensure the achievement of mission
delivery goals. He will also assist with nationally-funded initiatives that are
related to Divisions and will represent ALF at meetings and conferences.
While at CTALF, Phil has been a tireless promoter of ALF. He spearheaded
TCI as the CT Division's
Please note:
Administrative Assistant and as The articles contained in this newsletter are
Program Manager has reached provided for information only. They do not conoutstanding program success. stitute medical advice and should not be relied
upon as such. The American Liver Foundation
As TCI Peer Consultant, Phil
has mentored several Divisions (ALF) does not engage in the practice of
medicine. Under no circumstances does ALF
through the program implerecommend particular treatments for specific
mentation process and proindividuals, and in all cases, recommends that
vides ongoing assistance and
you consult your physician before pursuing any
guidance.
course of treatment. The ALF is a member of the
for more information, call the CTALF office at 203-234-2022
National Health Council.
July 2011 Page 2
Division News:
7/31/2011
Liver Life Walk Fairfield County Kickoff- Stamford, CT
Join us as we kick off our Fairfield County Liver Life Walk
with an Ice Cream Social on Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 4:30 pm
at Curtain Call Inc., 1349 Newfield Ave. #E in Stamford, CT.
Please RSVP at 203-234-2022 or lmartino@liverfoundation.org
8/7/2011
Liver Life Walk Hartford Kickoff- North Haven, CT
Upcoming Events
Join us as we kick off our Hartford walk with a Pizza Social
on Sunday, August 7, 2011 from 4:30 pm-6:30 pm at the
CTALF Division office, 127 Washington Ave, North Haven
CT.
At both kickoff events, you will be able to:
- learn fundraising techniques from past captains
- pick up team kits with brochures, posters & more
- Meet the LIVE-r Champion families
- Win raffle prizes
Please RSVP at 203-234-2022 or lmartino@liverfoundation.org
CTALF welcomes new
board & MAC members
The Division board would like to welcome, Zvi Laurence
Cole, Helen Tomich and John Tomich as new board
members.
Zvi helped get the first Annual Liver Walk going in
Fairfield in 2010 and continues to serve on the walk
committee. Zvi is CEO and Founder of ZMG Marketing
Solutions.
Helen received a liver transplant over 25 years ago. Both
she and John are active volunteers in the office and
on the Flavors committee. John is Vice Chairman and
General Counsel of Zygo.
We would also like to welcome four new physicians to
the Division's Medical Advisory Committee:
Colin T. Swales, M.D.
Assoc. Med. Director
Liver Transplant
Hartford Hospital
Come walk with us!
David N. Assis, MD
Yale University
Yale New Haven Hospital
GI Fellow
9/18/2011
Liver Life Walk Fairfield County- Stamford, CT
Mark your calendars for the 2nd Annual Liver Life Walk
Fairfield County on Sunday, September 18, 2011 at Cove
Island Park, Stamford, CT. For more info, call 203-234-2022
or register at www.liverfoundation.org/walkfairfieldcounty
9/25/2011
Liver Life Walk Hartford- East Hartford, CT
You don't want to miss the Liver Life Walk Hartford at
Renstchler Field in East Hartford on Sunday, September, 25,
2011. For more info, call 203-234-2022 or register at
www.liverfoundation.org/walkhartford
Manuel Rodriguez-Davalos, M.D., FACS
Asst. Prof. of Surgery and Pediatrics
Yale University School of Medicine
Department. of Surgery
Section Transplantation and
Immunology
Brian Shames, MD
Associate Director
of Transplant
Hartford Hospital
SAVE THE DATE
1/7/2012-1/8/2012
Liver Life Challenge: Team Connecticut
Save the dates and start training for
the 2012 Walt Disney World Marathon
Weekend in Orlando, FL. The CT
Division is forming a team! Call 203234-2022 for more info, or go to
www.liverfoundation.org/disneymarathon
Flavors of Connecticut
April 3, 2012
For info please contact:
msadler@liverfoundation.org
TBD
Hep C Liver UpdateHepatitis C Liver Update for patients, caregivers and anyone interested in learning more about Hep C and treatment
options. Date to be Announced. For more info, call
203-234-2022
July 2011 Page 3
call the Division at
203.234.2022
or visit us online at
www.liverfoundation.org/
flavorsofconnecticut
Liver Life Walk Plans Underway Liver Life Challenge
to reach your goal and pickup essential
The annual Liver Life Walks are already
fundraising materials while enjoying some
underway and we want YOU to join us!
great refreshments!
The Connecticut
Division is hostLiver Life Walk Kickoff
ing two walks
Ice Cream Social
this year: the 2nd
July 31st, 3pm, Curtain Call,
annual Liver Life
Stamford
Walk Fairfield
County at Cove
Liver Life Walk Kickoff
Island Park in
Pizza Social
Stamford on
Aug 7th, 4:30 pm, ALF
Sunday, September
Office, North Haven
18th and the 11th annual Liver Life Walk
Hartford at Rentschler Field in East Hartford
RSVP for either kickoff event to lmartino@
on Sunday, September 25th.
liverfoundation.org or call 203-234-2022
This year Brad Shwidock and Michael
Kirshbaum are Co-Chairmen of the Fairfield There are many ways to get involved in
County Walk and Cindy Yerman and Helen a Liver Life Walk event near you! Visit
our site www.liverfoundation.org/walk
McAvoy are Co-Chairmen of the Hartford
or call 203-234-2022 or email lmartino@
Walk. Our LIVE-r Champions are Meyer
liverfoundation.org . Join us for one or
Goldberg of Team Meyer’s Dragons and
DeMarko Avant of Team DeMarko. They are both of our walks where there will be face
leading the way by sharing their inspiiring painting, games, snacks, prizes, entertainment, character appearances, vendors, liver
stories of hope and strength.
awareness and organ donation information,
and so much more.
We are honored to have Renee DiNino,
Director of Community Affairs &
Media Partners:
Programming at Clear Channel Radio,
Connecticut as the Corporate Chair. She will
be hosting a Corporate Reception at the
radio station on August 4th from
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm.
Presenting Hartford Walk
Two Kickoff events are also planned where
you can meet other walk teams, learn how
Platinum Sponsor
Disney Marathon
"Live in the moment"
It’s more than a race…it’s a journey of moments
that will challenge, inspire and change you!
The American Liver Foundation’s Liver Life
Challenge® Walt Disney World® marathon
offers a ticket to America’s most desirable endurance event. Our training and fundraising program will lead you across the finish line with
coaching, training and tools for success.
From the
moment
you meet
the coach and your teammates to the moment
you cross the finish line, the Liver Life Challenge
provides an unforgettable experience. You’ll
achieve your fitness goals and help those with
liver disease – so they can create moments of
their own.
The 2012 Walt Disney World® Marathon
Weekend will take place January 7-9, 2012 in
Orlando, FL. Groups will form and train in five
Divisions across the country. Think participating is beyond your reach? Think again! This is
what we provide for you:
- Expert Coaching. Whether you’re an
experienced runner or have never walked a mile,
our coaches will create a personal training program for you.
- Team Trainings. Sweat it out with
fellow runners and encourage each other to
reach your goals. We make running a team sport!
- Team Meetings. From proper attire
tips to fundraising advice, team meetings offer
the information and support you need to succeed.
- Destination Travel. Team members
receive transportation to Orlando and hotel
accommodations for the Walt Disney World
Marathon Weekend. Magical moments included!
We will be hosting four “Discover the
Challenge Information Sessions” where you
can come and find out more about participating.
Discover the Challenge Information Sessions:
Aug 8th, 5:30 pm, Black Bear, Hartford
Aug 15th, 5:30 pm, The Plano Program, Orange
Aug 18th, 5:30 pm, ALF Office, North Haven
Aug 23rd, 7:00 pm, Woodbridge Running Club,
Woodbridge/New Haven
For more information or to register for a
Discover the Challenge Information Session
near you, please stop by the ALF office (127
Washington Ave, Garden Level, North Haven)
anytime Monday-Friday from 9 am-4pm, give us
a call at 203-234-2022 or go to www.liverfoundation.org/disneymarathon.
July 2011 Page 4
Education News:
Volunteers . . . A key to successful programming
Volunteers are the life-blood of every successful organization! We truly can attest to
that here at the Connecticut Division where
we have been very successful in the area of
Education Programs for the past two years
due to the participation of our doctors, midlevel professionals and patient volunteers.
Over two dozen very dedicated individuals
have given their time and talent to assist in
the implementation of our Core Programs
(TCI, LYL, FLIP) and Outreach events.
their time to participate in our programs.
Tomich.
Special thanks go to MAC members: Dr.
David Hull, Dr. Sukru Emre, Dr. Tamar
Taddei, Dr. John Polio, Dr. Marty Hoffman,
Dr. George Wu, Dr. Jonathan Israel, Dr. Sofia
Jakab, Dr. Robert Leventhal, Dr. Joseph Lim,
Dr. George Abdelsayed; and AMAC members: Debi Palmeri, RN-CCTC, Kathryn Jack,
MSN,FNP-BC, Cathy Moore, BSN,RN, Reggie
Belmont, LCSW, Lynne McHale, RN,CNII,
Kim Alleman APRN, Julie Burns, DNP,FNP,
Martha Shea, BSN,RN, Gail Frahm, APRN,
Deb Anderson, APRN, Jeannine Hampton,
MSN,RN, APRN BC, and Jackie Colfer, PA .
Over the past 9 months we have reached over
13,000 CT residents through our outreach
efforts at health fairs and other educational
initiatives; over 7500 students through our
Love Your Liver (LYL) youth education program; held 47 Treatment Choices Initiative
programs at community based organizations
reaching over 1200 participants and have
educated over 400 people- 27 programs through our Fatty Liver Information (FLIP)
program.
All of our volunteers have gone through
training to ensure that the information we
provide is consistent, and up-to-date. We
would like to recognize the doctors on the
Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) for their A special thanks to the volunteers who assist
in the evalutaion tabulation process; espetime and for allowing their midlevel profescially Nancy Katz, Billy Baxter and Helen
sionals, fellows and residents to also give
If you would like to join our volunteer team
and help in the programming area, please
contact: JoAnn Thompson at 203-234-2022
or jthompson@liverfoundation.org.
ALF and Girl Scouts of Connecticut Love Your Liver Patch Program
The American Liver Foundation, Connecticut
Division and the Girl Scouts of CT, have
partnered to create a new Love Your Liver
Patch Program. The patch program is the
first of its type in the country and is being
used as a model for other states and Girl
Scout Councils.
from Newington. The girls attended a Love
Your Liver program and then participated
in a follow-up discussion with their leaders.
The girls then made posters to show what
they learned. On their posters, the girls identified the liver function, responsibility the
liver has, its size and location in the body,
along with many other important facts. The
girls then shared their posters with a sister
Newington Girl Scout Senior Troop during a
presentation educating them about the valuable information they learned at the Love
Your Liver program.
Through the program, Girl Scouts are able
to use the three leadership keys of Discover,
Connect, and Take Action. Girls discover
important information about the liver by
attending age-appropriate Love Your Liver
activities facilitated by a representative from the American
Bella, a Girl Scout Brownie from
Liver Foundation. The Love
Troop 63071 in Norwich, also
Your Liver Program is an
recently earned the Love Your Liver
interactive liver wellness edupatch. She attended a Love Your
cation program targeted to
Liver program in New London
elementary, middle and high
with her mother and following the
school students. The program
presentation, Bella and her mother,
educates students about the
Jennifer, discussed the information
liver and the actions they can
they learned. For her take action
take to maximize their liver
project, Bella shared everything she
Bella shows off her
health and prevent liver dishad learned at the Love Your Liver
Love Your Liver Patch
ease. The girls then connect
program with the rest of her family
with family and friends by sharing what they
learned through follow-up discussions, and
they take action in their communities by creating their own educational projects. These
CT ALF will even arrange to pick
projects might include setting up an area
it up! It must be
program to meet community needs, or creatwhole, but it needn’t
ing an educational poster or media presentarun. For details on
tion on liver health or on the importance of
the National Vehicle
liver donation.
Donate your old car
One of the first Girl Scout troops in
Connecticut to earn this specially developed
patch is Girl Scout Brownie Troop 10549
Donation Program
or to donate a car,
call 1-800- 4565517.
July 2011 Page 5
members, educating others on the importance
of the liver and advocating for good liver
health.
The Connecticut Division is happy to have
the Girl Scouts of Connecticut be a part of
this innovative program which helps girls
build healthy habits while encouraging them
to take action and educate others on the
importance of living healthy. Through programs conducted over the past two years in
school classrooms, after school programs and
summer camps, the Connecticut Division has
been able to educate almost 20,000 students.
A FREE program that
provides ongoing information
for the transplant community
including:
- Recipes for Success
- In-depth Articles
- Features on Reimbursement
- Resources
For more information:
Call –1-800-466-9191 or go to
www.TransplantExperience.com.
Sponsored by Astellas
Continued From Page 1
Best Overall TableThe Angry Olive
of The Copper Beech Inn, James Lynn of
Craftsteak, Pietro Scotti of
Da Pietro’s, Power Divine
of Firebox, Christian
Schunmann of Fleming’s
Prime Steakhouse, Alfonso
Iaderosa of Foe, An
American Bistro, David
Foster formally of Foster’s,
Arlene Ghent of Ghent
Catering, Manuel Romero of
Ibiza, Juan Garcia of Ibiza
Tapas and Wine Bar, Jennifer
Krascella of J Restaurant/
Bar, Nicola Mancini, Jr.
of La Tavola Ristorante,
Edward Varipapa of Leon’s
Restaurant, Edwin Mateo
of Michael Jordan’s Steak
House, Mickey Josephs of Mickey’s
Restaurant & Bar, Stuart London
of Nini’s Bistro, Michael Mastrianni
of Rocky’s Aqua on the Water,
Peter Hamme of The Stone House
Restaurant, Arturo Franco-Camacho
of The Suburban, Jimmy Zheng of
Tengda Asian Bistro & Hibachi,
Prasad Chirnomula of Thali, and
Jean-Pierre Vuillermet of the Union
League Café.
Chris Berman, ESPN Sportscaster,
and his wife Cathy spoke to the
guests about Cathy’s mother’s battle
Hors d'oeurves by Beach House
with liver disease, her successful
liver transplant when she was 66
Restaurant. Participating restaurants and
years old and the importance of organ
chefs included: Alex Ruggiero of The
donation. Guests collaborated to create
Angry Olive, John Accardi of Augie’s
a research grant in the fight against liver
Restaurant, Michael Dean Hazen of
Barcelona Restaurant & Wine Bar, Nicci disease and pledged funds over $31,000.
Paul Stansel, professional auctioneer
Tripp of the Beach House Restaurant,
of Absolute Auctions, conducted the
Hazni “Jeff” Ghazali of Bentara, Steve
Yopp of Besito, Antonio Calderon of Bin Live Auction where guests bid on items
such as; a paella and parillada party at
100, Bryan Malcarney of Blue Lemon,
Ricardo Santana of Bossa Nova, Gennaro Barcelona Restaurant, A Chef’s Guide to
Hunting and Picnicking with Chef Pietro
Iannaccone of Café Goodfellas, Joseph
Scotti and a family style traditional
D’Alesio & Jason Sobocinski of Caseus
Malaysian dinner from Bentara.
Fromagerie & Bistro, Tyler Anderson
Chris and Cathy Berman,
Fund-A-Grant speakers
Each participating restaurant designed
a tablescape. Awards were given for:
Best Overall Table to Caseus Fromagerie
Bistro and the Angry Olive; Best Floral
Design to The Copper Beech Inn; Most
Elegant Tablescape to Café Goodfella’s;
Most Witty to La Tavola; Something Out
of Nothing to Stone House Restaurant;
and Best Giveaway to Guests to Ghent
Catering. Honorable mentions went to
Bentara, Da Pietro’s, Bin 100, Ibiza, and
July 2011 Page 6
Fleming’s Prime Steak House. A sincere
thank you to all the chefs, restaurants,
florists and designers who helped make
this year’s tablescapes the most unique
Pietro Scotti of Da Pietro
Dr. & Mrs. Robert Levanthal, Chairmen, Dr. &
Mrs. Thomas Rockoff and Dr. Mary Beth Aqavia
Co-Chef Chairmen, Peter Hamme and
David Foster and Chef Chair, Todd Lyon
years of a unique culinary experience
and exciting yet.
The Division would like to thank Marc
Summers of the Food Network for
doing a fabulous job as the emcee for
the evening. Thank you to the following sponsors: Presenting Sponsor
Hartford Hospital; Platinum Sponsor
Chef Prasad Chirnomula
of Thali plating dishes
The Chefs of Flavors 2011
Best Overall Table-Caseus Fromagerie Bistro
Naugatuck Valley Gastroenterology
Consultants, LLC; Gold Sponsors:
Bristol Gastroenterology Associates,
P.C., Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Dr. &
Mrs. Cary Caldwell, MD, Digestive
Disease Consultants, Connecticut
Gastroenterology Associates,
P.C., Connecticut GI P.C,
Digestive Health Specialist,
Gastroenterology Center of CT,
P.C., Genentech, Norwich GI
Associates, P.C., Three Rivers
Pharma, Vertex, Webster Bank,
Yale New Haven Digestive
Disease and Yale New Haven
Hospital; Silver Sponsors: Barker
Specialty Company, Bayer Health
Care, Bio Scrip, Calcagni Real
Estate, Caris Life Sciences,
Jefferson Radiology, Oceanus
Insurance, Pentax, St. Francis
Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital and
Worx Branding & Advertising;
Gourmet Sponsors included
Renee DiNino and Waterbury
Hospital; Exhibit Sponsors:
Astellas, Onyx, Warner Chilcott
and Centocor Ortho Biotech;
and Patron Sponsors: Mr. Reid
Hanford, Ms. Natalia Kwon, Al
Pacelli, Mrs. Edward Petraiuolo,
Jr., Edward Zelonis and JoAnn
Thompson, Mr. Michael Thomas,
The Family of DeMarko Avant,
Cadco, Mr. & Mrs.
Pennell Hamilton, The
Schoefer Family, Mr. Alan
Willig, The Warehouse
Store Fixture, Dr. & Mrs.
Anthony DiLullo and
Jennie Fresa Beauty Library.
Other special thanks
include Blondie’s Gourmet
Foods, Bella Bella Gourmet,
Chris & Cathy Berman,
Community Access’s Clear
Channel Radio, Dr. & Mrs.
Robert Leventhal, Arlene
Ghent, Service Press, Ice
Matters, Marc Summers, Pro
Systems, LinkZero, Todd
Lyon, Thynk Tank, Aqua
Turf Club all the Silent &
Live Auction donors, the
2011 Flavors Committee,
volunteers, chefs & restaurants.
July 2011 Page 7
Fleming's Prime Steak House
Marc Summers, Emcee
Jean-Pierre Vuillermet of
Union League Cafe, puts the
finishing touches on his dish
Paut Stansel leads the live auction
Alcohol Abuse: Your health and your liver
By: Kim Alleman, NP
In summary, alcohol use or abuse can
cause serious problems for people, espeAlcohol is prevalent at
•
Drinking that interferes with
cially those with liver disease. It is not
most social gatherings,
their obligations to work, home, or
known what amount is safe to consume.
used in celebration,
school
It is safest to abstain from alcohol if you
at some religious cer•
Engaging in behaviors that are
have liver disease. If you think that you
emonies, and is somerisky when they are inebriated (e.g. driv- or your loved one has an alcohol probtimes even advocated
ing, swimming, operating heavy machin- lem, talk to your health care provider for
as a way to improve
ery)
help.
Kim Alleman, NP
health. But what hap•
Having legal problems related to
References
pens when alcohol
drinking alcohol
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and
use gets out of hand? How much is too
•
Continuing to drink even
Alcoholism.
much? How does alcohol affect the per- through it causes problems with family
10th Special Report to the U.S. Congress
son with liver disease?
and friends
•
Failure to meet criteria for alco- on Alcohol and Health: Highlights from
Based on health and lifestyle behaviors,
Current Research from the Secretary of
hol dependence
alcohol abuse is the third leading cause
Health and Human Services.
of death in the United States (behind
The previous referenced behaviors are
Available at: Http:// pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/
smoking and obesity). (National Institute for diagnostic purposes, but a problem
publications/10report/intro.pdf
can still be present even if they do not
on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
Much of this is because of injury. There exist. Any alcohol use, for some people, American Psychiatric Association.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
are also many alcohol-related health
can prove deadly. Women who are
Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition.
pregnant, people who have a personal
problems including inflammation and
Washington, DC: American Psychiatric
eventual scarring of the liver, heart dam- or strong family history of alcoholism,
Association; 1994.
age, inflammation of the pancreas, and
previous hemorrhagic stroke, liver or
bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract.
pancreas disease, or anyone who operates
Many people with alcohol dependence
heavy machinery should not use alcohol. Mukamal, Kenneth J.
Overview of the risks and benefits of alcoFor the person who does not have any
engage in other risky behaviors such as
smoking, decreased physical activity, and of the above risks, what is a safe amount hol consumption.
www.uptodate.com; accessed November
poor eating habits. In addition, there is
of alcohol ingestion? There is no ideal
29, 2010.
level of alcohol. It is generally recoma possible association between alcohol
intake and several other diseases includ- mended that men have no more than two
ing breast cancer, cancers of the mouth,
drinks daily and only one drink daily for
esophagus, and liver.
women. Women have a lower body size Community Health Charities of New England
and a greater effect is seen with a smaller (CHC) is dedicated to raising awareness and
Alcohol dependence, as defined in the
amount of alcohol.
funds through workplace-giving campaigns.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Please consider
Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM- Of course, this changes if you have a
IV), is that three or more of the following history of liver disease. People with pre- giving to ALF
by participatexisting liver disease who continue to
behaviors must be demonstrated in the
previous 12 months:
use alcohol, accelerate their liver disease, ing through a
leading to increased scarring and possible campaign at your
•
Requiring more alcohol to
liver failure. Increased scarring can also workplace. Your donation can be made
achieve the desired effects
lead to a higher risk of liver cancer. This through payroll deduction by entering our
•
Experiencing withdrawal symp- is particularly true if you have a history campaign number for any of the following
toms when the alcohol wears off, or tak- of Hepatitis C. Alcohol can increase viral campaigns:
ing a drink or medications to keep from
• Combined Federal Campaign- 52952
replication and is also associated with
having these symptoms
• CT State Employee Campaign:
increased risk of death. If undergoing
•
Making unsuccessful attempts to treatment for Hepatitis C, alcohol can
Capital Area- 3060
quit or cut down on drinking
Eastern- 3260
affect your ability to respond to the anti•
Drinking more than intended on viral medications.
Western- 3460
occasion
So. Central- 3660
•
Giving up activities of interest or What about if you have underwent a
• United Way Capital Campaign- 3515
pleasure in order to drink
liver transplant and now have a healthy • All other areas for the United Way
•
Spending excessive amounts of
Campaign- write in the American
liver? Again, it is not known how much
time drinking or recovering from drinkLiver Foundation as your desigis a safe level of alcohol to consume.
ing
nee
However, excessive drinking may result
•
Continuing to drink despite hav- in liver injury that progresses more rap- Worksite campaigns are easy to establish
ing physical or psychological problems
idly. It is also thought that there is a
and maintain. If you would like to learn
caused by drinking
potential for interaction in some of the
how to get one started, please contact CHC
Alcohol abuse occurs when at least one
medications that a transplant recipient
of New England at 800-344-6071 or visit
of the following behaviors is exhibited
must take to maintain their health.
the website: www.chcofne.org.
repeatedly over a one year period:
Support ALF at Work
July 2011 Page 8
New Developments in Hepatitis C Treatments
By: Marcy Coash D.O.
and George Y. Wu M.D.,
PhD.
The RNA within
the hepatitis
C virus particle makes up
its genetic code.
Introduction
Unlike human
Hepatitis C virus infects
genes which are
approximately 250 milseparated from
lion people worldwide.
each other by stop
It is generally transmitsignals, one HCV
George Y. Wu, M.D., PhD
Marcy Coash, D.O.
ted by contact with
gene runs right
infected blood, acquired
into the neighat birth from HCV infected mothers, and
boring ones without any separation. As a
sexual transmission. Since the 1990’s,
result, the HCV code produces a single,
routine screening of blood donors for HCV very long protein, which must be cut into
separate functional pieces. To accomplish
has greatly decreased the transmission of
this, the virus makes its own special type
the virus by transfusion.
of protein (an enzyme) called a protease,
After infection with HCV, only about 20% which cuts at exactly the right places to
form active viral proteins. Because humans
of infected individuals are able to clear
don’t have such a protease, this has been
the circulating virus on their own withconsidered a potential target to interfere
out medical treatment. However, 80% of
with HCV without causing damage to
infected individuals will develop chronic
infection, of whom about 30% will devel- humans. Another attractive target is an
op cirrhosis and liver failure within a peri- enzyme known as a polymerase. This is
od of 10-30 years. The risk of contracting the enzyme that is made, and used by the
virus to reproduce its genetic code. Like
liver cancer increases with the developthe protease, this is a desirable drug target
ment of cirrhosis.
because it is not found in humans.
Hepatitis C virus has been classified into
Because of the specific antiviral design,
types 1-7, which do not all respond simithese classes of agents have been called
larly to standard treatment. In the US,
genotype 1 is the most common, followed “specifically targeted antiviral therapies for
hepatitis C” (STAT-C).. The most promisby genotypes 2 and 3.
ing of these STAT-C compounds are called
protease inhibitors, because they target
Current standard antiviral therapy for
hepatitis C consists of an injectable medi- the HCV protease as described above. Of
the many protease inhibitors that have
cation called pegylated interferon given
been, and are currently under investigaonce weekly in combination with doses
tion, telaprevir and boceprevir are at the
of an oral medication called ribavirin.
most advanced stage of clinical trials, and
Unfortunately, these agents are not successful in approximately 50% of genotype are the closest to FDA approval. However,
early studies have shown that these agents
1 patients. In addition, the medications
cannot be administered successfully by
have many side effects. Therefore, much
themselves because of the tendency for
effort is being applied towards the development of new agents for the treatment of rapid development of virus that is resistant
to those agents. Therefore, these drugs
HCV.
must be given in combination with standard therapy of interferon and ribavirin.
Future treatment options
Insights into the way the hepatitis C virus
Treatment of telaprevir in combination
behaves have allowed pharmaceutical
with standard of care medications for 24
companies to develop compounds to tarweeks resulted in sustained response in
get certain steps that are essential in the
61% of patients with HCV genotype 1 who
life cycle of HCV. The hepatitis C virus
had not previously been treated. When
particle is composed of a single strand of
RNA made up of individual pieces termed treatment was extended to 48 weeks, 67%
nucleotides. The RNA strand is surround- achieved sustained response compared to
ed by a core of proteins called capsid pro- 48% with interferon and ribavirin alone.
A second trial with telaprevir showed a
teins. The interaction of the capsid proteins and the RNA form the nucleocapsid. 68% and 62% sustained viral response
The entire structure is then surrounded by to 12 and 24 week combination therapy,
respectively. Based on these results, 24
an envelope composed of membrane.
July 2011 Page 9
week treatment with triple therapy appears
to be significantly better than conventional
treatment for 48 weeks.
Another protease inhibitor, boceprevir,
administered in combination with standard therapy in treatment-naïve, genotype
1 patients for 24 and 48 weeks showed
sustained responses of 54% and 67%,
respectively, which were significantly
higher than standard of care sustained
viral of 38%. When pretreated with
pegylated interferon and ribavirin for 4
weeks prior to the addition of boceprevir,
their sustained response reached 56% and
75% in the 24 and 48 week treatment
groups, respectively.
Another class of STAT-C compounds
called polymerase inhibitors consists of
two types, nucleoside and non-nucleoside,
both of which target a certain area of the
polymerase enzyme preventing reproduction of the HCV genetic code. These are
in early clinical development. However,
some compounds have been shown to
have adverse effects on the gastrointestinal
system and cause toxicity of the liver.
Nitazoxanide is a medication that has suppressive activity against viruses, bacteria
and parasites. It is currently being studied
in combination with standard treatnment
for use against HCV, and is in an advanced
stage in clinical trials.
Cyclosporin A is a drug that has been used
for immune suppression after organ transplantation, and in the treatment of various
autoimmune diseases and inflammatory
diseases. Several studies have shown that
cyclosporine can inhibit intracellular HCV
replication. Debio 025, a non-immunosuppressive cyclosporine analog, has also
been tested with similar results when used
in combination with pegylated interferon.
Conclusions
The global epidemic of HCV infection
and the frequency of chronicity leading
to the development of cirrhosis and often
liver cancer, make effective treatment
of this viral infection of great importance. Unfortunately, a large fraction of
genotype 1 patients fail to achieve a sustained response with standard therapy.
Significant research is underway to develop new treatment modalities. The data
indicate that these new agents are more
potent than our current drugs, and will
offer significantly higher success rates for
the treatment of HCV.
The CT Division of the American Liver
Foundation would like to congratulate the
recipients of the 2011 Research Awards Programs:
2011 Research Award Recipients
2011 Liver Scholars
AASLD/ALF Liver Scholar
Donghun Shin, PhD
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
Mechanisms Regulating Early Liver Development:
Liver Specification and Hepatic Competence
Mentor: Satdarshan P. Singh Monga, MD
AASLD/ALF Liver Scholar
Pranavkumar Shivakumar, MPharm, PhD
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati, OH
Activation of complement system regulates epithelial
injury and obstruction in biliary atresia
Mentor: Jorge A. Bezerra, MD
AASLD/ALF Liver Scholar
Jessica Wen, MD
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia/University of
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Mechanisms of Liver Fibrosis in Congenital Hepatic
Fibrosis
Mentor: Rebecca Wells, MD
American Liver Foundation Liver Scholar
Romina Fiorotto, PhD
Yale University
New Haven, CT
Dysregulation of TLR4-dependent epithelial innate
immunity in cystic fibrosis cholangiopathy
Mentor: Mario Strazzabosco, MD, PhD
American Liver Foundation Liver Scholar
Eek Joong Park, PhD
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, CA
Contribution of mTOR and autophagy signaling to
obesity-promoted hepatocarcinogenesis
Mentor: David Brenner, MD
2011 PSC Seed Grant
American Liver Foundation PSC Seed Grant
Bertus Eksteen, PhD
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Role of Glypican-6 in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
2011 Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
Charles Trey, MD Memorial Postdoctoral Research
Fellowship
Antonio Sorrentino, PhD
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Discovery and pre-clinical development of microRNA
therapeutics targeting liver cancer
Mentor: Andrei Goga, MD, PhD
Herman Lopata Memorial Hepatitis Postdoctoral
Research Fellowship
Selena Sagan PhD
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Investigating a protective role for miR-122 in the life
cycle of Hepatitis C virus
Mentor: Peter Sarnow, PhD
July 2011 Page 10
Hans Popper Memorial Postdoctoral Research
Fellowship
Tomonori Aoyama, MD, PhD
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, CA
Regulation of liver macrophages in liver fibrogenesis
Mentor: David Brenner, MD
Sunflowers for Holli Autoimmune Hepatitis
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
David Assis, MD
Yale University School of Medicine
New Haven, CT
The role of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor
(MIF) in Autoimmune Hepatitis
Mentor: James Boyer, MD
Alexander M. White, III Postdoctoral Research
Fellowship
Frank DiPaola, MD
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati, OH
The role of peribiliary glands in development and
repair of extrahepatic bile ducts
Mentor: Jorge Bezerra, MD
Roger L. Jenkins, MD Postdoctoral Research
Fellowship
Michel Fausther, PhD
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, AR
Dysregulation of CD73/ecto-5’-nucleotidase in liver
fibrosis
Mentor: Jonathan Dranoff, MD
Irwin M. Arias, MD Postdoctoral Research
Fellowship
Andrew Cox, PhD
Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical
School
Boston, MA
Role of nitric oxide signaling in liver development
and regeneration in zebrafish
Mentor: Wolfram Goessling, MD, PhD
Congressman John Joseph Moakley Postdoctoral
Research Fellowship
Baran Ersoy, PhD
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Boston, MA
Regulation of Hepatic Glucose Homeostasis by
Phosphatidylcholine-Transfer Protein (PC-TP) and
Thioesterase Superfamily Member 2 (Them2)
Mentor: David Cohen, MD, PhD
Tim Sylvia Memorial Postdoctoral Research
Fellowship Award
Hisashi Kosaka, MD, PhD
Boston University School of Medicine
Boston, MA
Mechanisms of Hepatic Adhesion Formation
Mentor: James Becker, MD
Thomas E. Starzl, MD Postdoctoral Research
Fellowship
Moritz Schmelzle, MD
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard
Medical School
Boston, MA
Platelet activation triggered by CD39L1/NTPDase2
facilitates stem cell-mediated liver regeneration
Mentor: Simon Robson, MD, PhD, FRCP
In Memory of:
Kymberly M. Meyers
John, Julie, Nicole & Joshua
Zbikowski
Keuhne + Nagel Inc (Marion
Babich)
Jim, Carol & Sue Setsky and Jeri
Graham
Kathleen Bielecki
Carlos Alves
Doris & Laurie Cavanaugh
Claire DuBois and Cheryl Michaud
Mary E. McDonald
Friends & Co-workers of Dawn
Talbot-Stokes
Nathan Woodworth
Mrs. Shirley Knox
Bonnie Mazzoli
Patricia Kennedy O'Connor
DAPRA Corporation
Charlotte Dewley
Paul Rosner
Dorothy Malecki
David Ziemnicki
Stephen & Lisa Butcher
The Murray Family
Ellen M. Frost
Doreen & Tim Brown
Mr. & Mrs. John R. Crossman
Grassmere Ladies League
James E. & Barbara S. Kiehnle
Lawrence J. Stacy
JoAnne Salinsky
Andrew Muir
Anita & Donna Dumizio
Newington Fire Company #3
Hartford Business Supply, Inc.
Edward McCarthy
Mary McCarthy
Remembrances
Rosaline Kleper
Gordon and Marjorie Cohen
Frances Apfel
James Satagaj
Ellen Satagaj
Gregory Smith
Gladys Wrinn Reich
Rebecca Reich Sammito
Sandie Taubin
Bonnie, Stacy, Adam & Rebecca Golberg
Heidi Kleper
Bonnie, Stacy, Adam & Rebecca Golberg
John O’Donnell
Randy Cone
Thomas Gerald Juliano
Stephen Zehalla & Carmela Della Mura
Albert Annunziata, P.C.
Marilyn Petrafesa
Jodi Sheiffele
Jane, Daniel and Adam Shaw
Tara Sofia Sabatino
Stanley M. Meholik, III
Barbara and Jack Moran
June Kostik
Gail Fowler
Margaret Macker
Mr. & Mrs. Alec Wargo
Joanne Cipriano
Rosemary (Dripchak) Simmons &
Family
Mokhtar Estafan
Kay Oen
Anne Vojt Budner
Kay Oen
Clifford M. Cohen
Kay Oen
Albert Gargiulo
Trish McMullin
Joseph Buccieri
Maria Santo
Richard Gramer
Steve Gniadek
Moe Michael Cushen
Barbara Cushen
Meriden Jaycees, Inc
Julie D’Onofrio
David Fleischman
David Levine
Lorraine Bonsignore Dignelli
Carol Gellos
Denis Barry
Hillary Stein
Reginald Dobbin
Judith Tripoldi
Sonya Krasner
Barbara Krasner
Mary Katherine Summers
Debbie Andersen
Craig W. Holden
Denise Redman
Claudia Skarb
John Kucinskas
Robbin Winick
Carrie Weisenberg
Albert H. Rousseau
Genevive Dursa
Mary Louise Hornbeak
Cynthia Griffin
Bill Hackett
Judith Rudikoff
Dorothy D. M. Oehmler
Mary Mahon
Michael Kelleher
Paul Pirrotta
Gary Kureczka
Thomas Ganley
Mary Elaine & Thomas Ryan
Sharon Delliner
Michele & Raymond Graczyk
Dr’s J. Polio, M. Hoffman & L.
Rossi
Christina Vernoesi
Kathy Edelman & Wayne Kuegel
Linda Jones
Karen Wood
Linda Mattei
The Paul Weber Family
Make-A-Wish Foundation of
Connecticut, Inc
Patricia & Charles D'Agostino
Elmer & Lois Zadrozny
Fred Fawcett
Martha DePodesta
Mr. & Mrs.C. DePodesta
Noah Eisenhandler
Deborah Mattei
Edward Mattei
Susann & Arthur Riley
Vicki Lublin
Judy Ann Stevens
Bruce & Rosemary Woundy
William and Elaine Dugan
Maureen E. Taranto
Nancy Zezima
David DeFlippo
Donna Rybacki
Elhadj Saidou
Carmen Bell
Harvey Dean
Marilyn Dessecker
Karen L. Santostefano
Michael Hermsen
Eileen Spetrino
Leslie Chudobe
Jeffrey Ziruk
Christina Ziegler
July 2011 Page 11
Kevin Megan
Mary Ann Mitchell
Charles F. Snow
Diane Coe
Barbara Hayes
Elizabeth Richie
Gerrit C. Veerman, II
Jennifer Savaiano
Eugene London
Convanta Mid-Conn., Inc.
Anthony J. Minervini, Jr.
Anthony Minervini
Rhonda Osolin
Ruth Radin
Selma Freedman
Elise Schepeler
In Honor Of:
Don DeToro
Joseph & Marie Serra
Debi Iannicelli-Ortiz
Ladies Auxilliary Post 7330
Mr. J.R. Gould
Kathleen Larke
Stephen Radocchia
Steve Case
Karen Contrera
Karen Tom
Neil Droney
Jake Bauman
McKenna Lynn Feller
Maryann Brezosky
Gina A. Parziale
Bridget Noujaim
Hudson Group
Gary MacRae
Helen Basic
Richard Basic
Jane MacRae
Glenn MacRae
Judith Murphy
Stephanie Armstrong
To give a gift of
remembrance,
call (203) 234-2022, or write to
the ALF, 127 Washington Ave. ,
Garden Level
North Haven, CT 06473.
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Our Mission
is to facilitate, advocate and promote education, support and
research for the prevention, treatment and cure of liver disease.
Division Board of Directors
Medical Advisory Committee
Sukru Emre, MD, FAC
John Polio, MD
Debera Palmeri, RN-CCTC, Chairman
John Polio, MD, Vice Chairman
Tamar Taddei, MD, Vice Chairman
Robert Balchunas, CPA,
Vice Chairman
David Hull, MD, Chairman
Yale University School of Medicine
Hartford Hospital
Guadalupe Garcia-Tsao, MD
St. Francis Hospital and
Yale-New Haven Hospital
Tamara Taddei, MD, Vice Chairman
Yale University School of Medicine and
VA Healthcare System
Manuel Rodriguez-Davalos, MD
Yale University School of Medicine
Kathryn Jack, MSN, FNP-BC,
Associate Chairman
Joel Garsten, MD, FACP, FACG,
AGAF, Waterbury Hospital
David Sack, MD, FACP, FACG
Directors
MidState Medical Center
Steven Gorelick, MD
Michael Schilsky, MD
Yolanda Belmont, LCSW
Agnieszka Buller
Zvi Laurence Cole
Renee DiNino
Kathryn Jack, MSN, FNP-BC
Rodney LeBlanc
Robert Leventhal, MD, FACP, AGAF
Juan Carlos Lopez-Talavera, MD,PhD
Catherine Petraiuolo
Helen Tomich
John Tomich
George G. Abdelsayed, MD, FACP,
FACG, Bridgeport Hospital
Danbury Hospital
Yale University School of Medicine
Martin Hoffman, DO
Harold Schwartz, MD
David Assis, MD
Griffin Hospital
Yale-New Haven Hospital
St. Francis Hospital and
Yale-New Haven Hospital
James Boyer, MD, FACP
Jonathan Israel, MD
Hartford Hospital
Division Vice President
Yale University School of Medicine
Midstate Medical Center
Brian Shames, MD
Yale University School of Medicine
Hartford Hospital
Myron Brand, MD
Anne Lally, MD
Hospital of St. Raphael and
Yale-New Haven Hospital
Hartford Hospital
Norwich Gastrointestinal Associates and
William W. Backus Hospital
Robert Leventhal, MD, FACP, AGAF
Mario Strazzabosco, MD, PhD
Matthew Brown, MD
Yale University School of Medicine
Hartford Hospital
Waterbury Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital
and Yale-New Haven Hospital
Cary Caldwell, MD
Joseph K. Lim, MD, FACP
Kolala Sridhar, MD, FACG, AGAF
You Sung Sang, MD, FACG, AGAF
Yale University School of Medicine
Norwich Gastrointestinal Associates and
William W. Backus Hospital
JoAnn Thompson
Hospital of St. Raphael and
Yale-New Haven Hospital
Douglas Miller, MD, FAGA, MBA
Collin Swales, MD
Founding Members
Dean Chang, MD
Midstate Medical Center
Hartford Hospital
James L. Boyer, MD, FACP
Bonnie Goldberg
Joyce Willig
Hospital of St. Raphael
Pramod Mistry, MD, PhD, FRCP
Renuka Umashanker, MD
James Ciarcia, MD
Yale University School of Medicine and
Yale-New Hacven Hospital
Hospital of St. Raphael
Yale-New Haven Hospital
Karan McBride Emerick, MD, MSCI
Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
Michael Nathanson, MD, PhD
Yale University School of Medicine
Krystn Wagner, MD, PhD
George Wu, MD, PhD
UConn Health Center