ENCOURAGE BEST MEDICINE
Influence change within Canada’s medical community toward a more proactive, holistic treatment approach for patients with liver disease caused by alcohol use disorder
RESHAPE PERCEPTION
Reshape public perception of persons living with alcohol use disorder
Facilitate psychosocial requirements for transplant approval and post-transplant success
GIVE A HAND UP
OUR VISION
Mark Selkirk was admitted to Toronto General Hospital suffering from acute liver failure caused by alcohol use disorder. He was denied access to a liver transplant because he was not alcohol-free for six months. He died 17 days later, on November 24, 2010.
Debra Selkirk, his wife, filed a constitutional challenge against the 6-month wait on October 28, 2015. As a direct result of her court process, Ontario will launch a three-year pilot program in 2018, assessing all patients with alcohol-associated liver disease without any period of sobriety.
The Selkirk Liver Society was launched in October 2017 to continue to formally support and advocate for alcohol-associated liver disease.
History of
the society
ENCOURAGE
BEST MEDICINE
HOLISTIC TREATMENT
We are working to promote a holistic treatment program that includes these professionals:
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hepatologist: to treat liver disease;
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addictions specialist: to treat underlying alcohol use disorder;
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registered dietitian: to ensure patient understands how diet impacts liver health; and,
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nurse practitioner: to educate patient about progression of liver cirrhosis.
ADDICTION TREATMENT
We are working to influence change in the medical community with enhanced training in addiction and its acceptance as a treatable disease.
EDUCATION
We are creating educational materials to ensure patients with liver disease are well-informed about their disease and their treatment.
SHIFT MEDIA PORTRAYAL
Sensitive and appropriate language in the media will lessen the stigma attached to alcohol-associated liver disease.
RESHAPE PUBLIC PERCEPTION
We are cultivating a new way of looking at people living with alcohol use disorder, instilling the idea that no one chooses a life with addiction.
RESHAPE
PERCEPTION
GIVE A
HAND UP
FACILITATE LIFE CONDITIONS
We are striving to ensure access to the waitlist for persons with alcohol associated liver disease by facilitating absent life conditions and relationships.