At AstraZeneca, our patients are at the heart of what we do. This patient-first mindset goes beyond developing treatments for our patients with liver cancer – the fastest-rising cause of cancer-related deaths in the US and the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, affecting approximately 41,000 people every year.1-3 For us, learning from—and listening to—our patients is one of the most impactful ways we can serve people living with a liver cancer diagnosis. Partnering with patient advocacy groups who serve as a trusted resource for patients is critical to better serve those affected by liver cancer and their loved ones.

Twenty-two years ago today, the light of my life—my child and sister Adrienne—died from stage IV primary liver cancer (i.e., hepatocellular carcinoma aka HCC). She was 15 years, six months, and one day old. Adrienne died at home in her bed surrounded by people who loved her. Other than oxygen, she was not hooked up to any machines. She was not in pain. But when I heard that last breath whistle through her teeth, my heart shattered into a million pieces

“Elevar is inspired by Blue Faery’s efforts to raise understanding of and advocate for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and their families,” said Elevar Vice President of Medical Affairs Bill Strickland. “As HCC typically has a poor prognosis and a lack of treatment options, we are highly focused on bringing a new therapeutic approach to those in need, and we are proud to support the caring community Blue Faery has built by participating in its Benefactors Council.”

Recently, I attended a small women’s weekend retreat. I don’t treat myself often, but it was an opportunity to spend time healing my grief, interacting with other women, and convening with nature. But the retreat involved strong recommendations before showing up.

A few weeks ago, I woke up one morning unable to breathe through my nose. Congested head. Raw throat. Dry mouth. The previous weekend, I had traveled to Arkansas to surprise my dad for Father’s Day.

A few weeks ago, I woke up one morning unable to breathe through my nose. Congested head. Raw throat. Dry mouth. The previous weekend, I had traveled to Arkansas to surprise my dad for Father’s Day.

Earlier this month, Marina Uchenik, a long-time Blue Faery Board Director, and I attended the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago. Blue Faery did not get a booth this year, which allowed us more time to attend seminars, meet with supporters, and network with colleagues.

This week was the anniversary of the beginning of Adrienne’s liver cancer journey. I’ll never forget when an ER doctor told us, “She has tumors in her liver and lungs.”

What happened to February? It zipped by. We had two exciting Love Your Liver Live workshops for the Black/African-American communities in Atlanta and Miami.

Are you a female entrepreneur and also a caregiver for a cancer patient? Is it possible to care for your loved one and have boundaries?

On this episode of the Wellness and Wealth podcast, Andrea Wilson Woods of Cancer University addresses what self-care looks like when caring for someone with cancer and after. She’ll also share how she has learned in her forties that self-care is learning to prioritize your needs before others.

Andrea Wilson Woods is a writer who loves to tell stories and a patient advocate who founded the nonprofit Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association. Andrea is the CEO and co-founder of Cancer University, a for-profit, social-impact, digital health company. Her best-selling and award-winning book, Better Off Bald: A Life in 147 Days, is a medical memoir about raising and losing her sister to liver cancer. Andrea joins me for episode 90 to share her story of being a sister, parent, and caregiver to Andrienne who passed away from #LiverCancer 20 years ago. Her story is wrapped in a wealth of information on how to be a force of nature while caring for and advocating for a loved one, the importance of taking care of yourself and your mental health, relationships, and more.

I’m so excited 2023 is here! I don’t know about you, but 2022 was a bit … exhausting. After months of dealing with long covid, I’m starting to feel better. To feel stronger. And I’m thrilled with the programs we have coming up this year.

Recently, founding Board Director Monique Beatty, reminded me of our humble beginnings. Many years ago, we recycled toner and ink cartridges to earn revenue for Blue Faery.

You might not think about your liver health very often. If everything’s in good working order, you might not think you have to. But, according to the American Liver Foundation, liver disease affects more than 100 million Americans. The foundation cautions that when it’s left untreated, liver disease can lead to liver failure, cancer and can even be fatal—in 2020, it was the 12th leading cause of death in the US. With numbers like those, and a personal history with liver disease, former Yankees star Bernie Williams is stepping up to bat to help spread awareness about the importance of supporting your liver health.

He recently helped launch One Liver to Love in partnership with Eisai as well as Global Liver Institute (GLI) and Blue Faery, which are both patient advocacy organizations that provide education and resources to people living with liver cancer. The initiative hopes to offer support to families like Williams’ who are impacted by liver disease.