If you attended the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting this year, you know the traffic in Chicago was unusually bad! (Much worse than last year when Taylor Swift was there during her Eras tour.) Ubers canceled, taxis disappeared, and walking was sometimes the only option. However, the conference was still terrific.

We have many exciting events happening this month; I’m thrilled to share them with you.

First up, we’re producing our next The Truth About Liver Cancer workshop with a focus on Liver Transplant recipients. You don’t want to miss Tony, Karen, and Steve’s stories about their dealing with liver disease, kidney disease, and liver cancer. While their experiences differ, a liver transplant saved their lives.

Next, we have a live, in-person workshop in Brooklyn for our Love Your Liver program during AAPI month. Read the full press release and get the details about the Chinese educational workshop featuring medical oncologist Dr. Songchuan Guo, a community leader and leading expert in treating liver cancer.

In her own words, this is the journal of Adrienne Wilson, a teenage artist, poet, and beloved sister. Before her death from liver cancer at the age of fifteen, Adrienne expressed her funny, bright soul in this prolific journal. Her musings on life, relationships, music, love, and the beautiful grime of her adopted hometown of Los Angeles leap off the page; her deep sensitivity and perspective are captured in full-color prints of her award-winning artwork. Steeped in late-90s nostalgia, this artistic journey through a teenage girl’s eyes is moving, often hilarious, and unforgettable.

Love Your Liver helps raise awareness about liver cancer risk factors in the Hispanic community, as they are 2.5 times as likely to develop the disease compared with White Americans. Due to the high prevalence of fatty liver disease in the community, liver cancer continues to be one of the most significant health issues that Hispanic Americans face. Besides the stigma of liver cancer and fatty liver disease, Hispanic Americans also face language and cultural barriers and lack culturally appropriate educational programs. Love Your Liver delivers culturally relevant education about liver cancer risk factors, liver cancer surveillance, and treatments while offering hope.

In the world of healthcare, innovation often comes from those who have experienced the system firsthand. Andrea Wilson Woods, the inspiring founder of Blue Faery and Cancer University, transformed her personal experience of losing her sister to liver cancer into a powerful force for change, empowering patients through a unique combination of education, coaching, and community.

How To Discover Purpose in Loss

The Price of Business Digital Network has a new series of outstanding commentaries from thought leaders. This is one in that series.

Andrea Wilson Woods

Patient Advocate, Author, and Speaker Andrea Wilson Woods talks about why she founded Blue Faery, a nonprofit patient advocacy organization dedicated to helping people with liver cancer.

ANDREA WILSON WOODS is a keynote speaker, a writer who loves to tell stories, and a patient advocate who founded the nonprofit Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association. For over ten years, Andrea worked in the education field as a teacher and professor for public and private schools as well as universities. Andrea obtained her master’s degree in professional writing from the University of Southern California; her nonfiction writing has won national awards. 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.

I’m so excited to announce this year’s Blue Faery Award Winner for Excellence in Liver Cancer Research. [insert drumroll] Meet Dr. Peter Galle!

Upon receiving the award, Dr. Galle said, "I am truly honored to receive the Blue Faery Award. It is a great privilege to join the group of national and international HCC experts who previously received this prestigious award and a stimulus to continue to work for our patients with this deadly disease. In the end, it's not the tumor but the patient with the tumor we are fighting for."

This is a "Girl, Take the Lead!" Sound Bite, which is a shorter episode, building on Ep 149 with Andrea Wilson Woods about her Blue Faery Foundation and the launch of the book she edited, I’d Rather Be Dead than Deaf. I thought you might like to hear some of the passages from that book to feel inspired during your day.

Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association announces its first book, I'd Rather Be Dead Than Deaf: A Young Woman's Journey With Liver Cancer. In her own words, the book is the journal of Adrienne Wilson, a teenage artist, poet, and beloved sister. Before her death from liver cancer at age 15, Adrienne expressed her funny, bright soul in this prolific journal. Her musings on life, relationships, music, love, and the beautiful grime of her adopted hometown of Los Angeles leap off the page. Her deep sensitivity and perspective are captured in full-color prints of her award-winning artwork. Steeped in late-90s nostalgia, this artistic journey through a teenage girl's eyes is moving, often hilarious, and unforgettable. Grab a free copy from Book Sirens!

Andrea Wilson Woods, Gen X, joins Yo to discuss the book she’s edited: I’d Rather Be Dead than Deaf. The book is the journal of Adrienne Wilson, a teenage artist, poet, and Andrea’s beloved sister. Before her death from liver cancer at the age of fifteen, Adrienne expressed her funny, bright soul in this prolific journal.

Patients faced with a serious diagnosis are often confronted with more questions than answers. Dealing with the shock of unexpected illness, while simultaneously learning about treatment options and navigating the labyrinth of insurance claims, can be overwhelming.

Andrea Wilson Woods, founder and president of Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association, found out firsthand about the challenges facing both those suffering from liver cancer and those who care for them.

I feel blessed to have raised a child who left so much of herself behind, and now, I’m thrilled to share Adrienne’s art journal with the world. From pencil, ink, marker, crayon, charcoal, chalk, and pastels to watercolor, acrylic, oil, collage, multimedia, and digital photography, Adrienne created a world that gives us insight into her imagination. In the pages of I’d Rather Be Dead Than Deaf, you’ll discover why I call Adrienne, “The best kid ever.”

Patients, caregivers, health care professionals, friends and family are welcome, as well as members of the local community, to learn more about Together Facing Liver Cancer. The event will feature an expert panel with Fox Chase Cancer Center physicians discussing surgical options, genetic testing and clinical trials.

In this episode of Believe in Progress, Mitch talks with Andrea Wilson Woods about how the loss of her sister to cancer motivated her to start Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association to help patients and families navigate liver cancer.

Years ago, I remember driving by a flower shop on Valentine’s Day. Dozens of men stood in a long line that ran alongside the building. Maybe it was forgetfulness or procrastination, but they had waited to the very last minute to buy their beloved flowers for Valentine’s Day. I laughed so hard that I almost ran a red light.

The good news is … you don’t need to buy flowers to love your liver. The bad news is … you may need to change your eating habits. Did you know that your liver loves water, coffee, and green tea? Oatmeal, blueberries, and greens like spinach and broccoli are good for it too. To love your liver even more, reduce your intake of alcohol, sugar, and processed foods.