 |
Inspired by a real person with MASH |
OLIVIA KNOWS
FATTY LIVER DISEASE
CAN BE SERIOUS
She understands the importance of liver health
because of her personal experience struggling
with MASH and going through a liver transplant.
 |
Fatty liver disease happens in stages. The first is fatty liver, where there’s a buildup of fat in the liver. Some people with fatty liver can develop a more severe form of the disease called MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis), formerly known as NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis). This happens when the fat in your liver becomes toxic to you, killing liver cells and making the liver inflamed. As the liver reacts to these changes, it gets scarred (fibrosis). MASH can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, the need for a transplant, and even death.
DID YOU HEAR?
NASH is now called MASH.** Learn more about the NASH to MASH name change here.
of people with MASH don't know they have it. We’re trying to change that so people can learn about their risk before more dangerous liver damage occurs.
Stages of fatty liver disease
 |
The best advocate for your health is you. No one knows your body better. If you were told you have fatty liver disease, it’s possible for the problem to progress to MASH - a more serious disease. Know exactly what to ask about MASH and liver scarring to get the testing and answers you need.
Olivia wants to get the word out about the risks of MASH and the dangers of liver scarring.
 |
Adjusting and maintaining a healthy diet– in addition to other lifestyle changes, like introducing or increasing exercise – may feel challenging, especially as you work to balance your health needs with social expectations and pressures. But if you or someone you know has received a MASH diagnosis, it is essential, as it can help reduce liver inflammation and slow the progression of the disease.
To get started on the healthy eating kick, try Olivia’s cauliflower tortilla recipe from her family dinner, which is abuela approved.
In 2023, global liver disease medical societies and patient groups came together to rename the disease, with the goal of establishing an affirmative, non-stigmatizing name and diagnosis. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was renamed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), NASH was renamed MASH, and an overarching term, steatotic liver disease (SLD), was established to capture multiple types of liver diseases associated with fat buildup in the liver.
 |
Madrigal Pharmaceuticals has provided financial support for the project, but the Be Your Liver’s #1 Fan campaign does not focus on pharmaceutical treatments for MASH. |
In 2022, a group of MASH patient advocates came together to develop ideas for a “Patient Service Announcement” video that would reach the many Americans who may be aware they have fatty liver disease or MASH, but don’t fully understand their risk. Not everyone with fatty liver disease will progress to serious complications, but some do. Many of the patient advocates who participated were told by their primary care physicians “don’t worry, you just have a fatty liver” as they were progressing to advanced liver disease and, in some cases, liver cancer and liver transplant.
The patient advocates’ personal experiences and desire to encourage others to take control of their liver health inspired a creative idea for the Patient Service Announcement video campaign: Be Your Liver's #1 Fan.
Several patient advocacy groups, including the Global Liver Institute, the Fatty Liver Foundation and Liver Education Advocates participated in brainstorm sessions that inspired the Be Your Liver’s #1 Fan campaign, along with Terri, Jennifer, Susan, Jane, Bruce, and other members of the patient community.
During the first brainstorm session, a story that Terri shared about a chance encounter she had with a person who was just recently diagnosed with fatty liver disease provided the creative spark that led to the Olivia character.
It’s not always easy to find accurate information about MASH online, but these websites might be helpful if you are looking for education and support:
The Global Liver Institute provides
MASH information in multiple languages.
Liver Education Advocates seeks to raise public
awareness of MASH, providing support, education,
and resources, like their online support group.
The Fatty Liver Foundation’s Wellness League is a community-driven health and wellness platform for people at-risk of or living with fatty liver disease and MASH.
The Taking on Fatty Liver & MASH website from Madrigal provides MASH information and resources.