World liver day is observed on 19 April to spread awareness about liver related disease. The liver is the second largest organ in the human body and vital in keeping the body functioning properly. Cirrhosis of the liver, severe scarring of the liver tissue, is South Africa’s leading liver issue and is caused by a number of liver related diseases. The liver is also the only organ in the human body that can be transplanted with a portion of a living donor’s liver as their liver cells will regenerate in 6 weeks to its full size.

Coreen Walstra, TELL Project Manager, was diagnosed with Autoimmune Hepatitis in 1990 just after she turned a year old. Autoimmune hepatitis is a liver disease where your immune system rejects your own liver. After Coreen’s diagnosis in 1990, her doctors did not expect her to live to the age of 5 years old. She recently turned 31 years old and still leaves a predominantly healthy life and takes medication on a daily basis to help reduce the inflammation in her liver. Over the years, from the inflammation and damage caused by the autoimmune hepatitis, it has resulted in severe liver cirrhosis and chronic liver failure for Coreen. She is currently awaiting a liver transplant, after being listed on the liver transplant list in September 2019.

Photo: Coreen Walstra, Project manager at TELL. Not all chronic diseases makes you look ill.

By taking a hands on approach and educating the general public and the medical fraternity, TELL (Transplant Education for Living Legacies) hopes families, friends and colleagues start the conversation and that everyone accepts that organ and tissue donation is a benefit to society.

South Africa’s most common cause for liver cirrhosis is alcoholism. Liver diseases resulting in Cirrhosis include:
● Alcoholic liver disease
● Chronic hepatitis B, C and D
● Autoimmune hepatitis
● Inherited diseases
● Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
● Blocked bile ducts
● Drugs, toxins and infections

There are many ways to keep your liver healthy to avoid developing a liver disease, namely:
● Eat a balanced diet
● Exercise regularly
● Avoid toxins
● Drink alcohol responsibly
● Avoid using illicit drugs
● Practice safe sex
● Wash your hands

For more information:
TELL is more than happy to answer any questions.
Please email info@tell.org.za for more information.

Find us on Social Media at the following links:
Instagram: @tellorgza
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tellorgza/
Twitter: @tellorgza