ALF Celebrates 50^th Anniversary National Legacy Gala Honoring Leaders and Organizations in Liver Disease and Liver Transplantation

NEW YORK, Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- American Liver Foundation (ALF)) is pleased to announce that Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino was the keynote speaker at its 50th Anniversary National Legacy Gala on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at Gotham Hall in New York City. As guest of honor, Marino shared his lived experience with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) and the importance of consistency in healthy eating and well-rounded fitness routines as well as maintaining a positive attitude with the diagnosis. He acknowledged MASH as a silent killer and stressed the importance of getting tested and learning as much as possible about the disease. Marino's message embodied what it means to take charge of your liver health, and his presence helped ALF commemorate five decades of supporting liver patients and their families while working with top-tier medical professionals and leading organizations in liver disease and liver transplantation.  

"We were deeply honored and grateful to Dan Marino for his keynote address at ALF's 50^th National Legacy Gala," said Lorraine Stiehl, CEO of American Liver Foundation and a caregiver of a transplant recipient. "His presence made ALF's Gala even more meaningful and added a special significance to this landmark celebration that brought together supporters, partners, and leaders in the field of liver disease to honor ALF's legacy while celebrating our past, present, and future. We were so appreciative for his support as we celebrated this important milestone together."

ALF celebrated its legacy through tributes to multiple awardees – UPMC (Transplant Legacy Award), AstraZeneca (Patient Impact Award), Arun Sanyal, MD, of Virginia Commonwealth University (Leadership Award), and NOVO (Leadership Innovation Award). In addition, ALF presented its Leadership Award for Public Service to Frank A. Anania, MD, of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Jay H. Hoofnagle, MD, of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). ALF awarded its Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award (DSAA) to Director and Professor Michael Karin, PhD, of the Center for Metabolic and Liver Diseases at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute. Each recipient represented a shared commitment to better the lives of liver patients and highlighted ALF's past, present and future accomplishments on behalf of the 100 million Americans living with some form of liver disease.

ALF also honored board member, Peter Cullen, an entrepreneur and former media executive for Disney and ABC, with the inaugural Michael Kerr Volunteer of the Year Award, which recognizes outstanding volunteer contributions at ALF. Peter, diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), required a lifesaving liver transplant and his brother became the living donor, but the liver failed to thrive. Peter endured more than a decade of surgeries and medical interventions. After developing recurrent PSC, he received a second liver transplant from a deceased donor in 2016. Peter played an instrumental role in ALF's strategic rebranding and  led the creation of ALF's first character and children's book, Bili the Brave™, that was developed for children and families affected by biliary atresia. Michael Kerr's widow, Susie, and his son, Joshua, as well as his granddaughter, Jenny, presented ALF's distinguished award to Mr. Cullen.

The 2026 Award Recipients included:  
Transplant Legacy Award, UPMC
With nearly 30 years of demonstrated commitment to a shared mission of offering hope and healing to liver patients, UPMC continues to demonstrate both exemplary leadership and continued generosity to ALF initiatives. As the nation's leading transplant center conducting the highest number of living donor liver transplants in the United States, UMPC's longstanding support of ALF has helped drive critical patient education, advocacy, research, and support services to many liver patients.

Patient Impact Award, AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca was recognized for its patient-centered efforts to help transform liver disease and liver cancer care through science, partnerships, advocacy and groundbreaking advances in medicine. As a founding partner of ALF's transformative Think Liver Think Life public health campaign, the company has played an important role in expanding screening, education, and support resources in diverse communities across the country.

Leadership Award, Dr. Arun Sanyal
Arun J. Sanyal, MD, is one of the world's leading experts in liver disease research and helped shaped the global approach to understanding and treating metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Dr. Sanyal is the Professor Director, Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health School of Medicine Internal Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Leadership Innovation Award, NOVO
For over a century, NOVO has specialized in discovering, developing and delivering protein and peptide-based treatments for serious chronic diseases, primarily diabetes and metabolic care, and was honored for its innovation in metabolic health and liver disease. Building upon decades of expertise in diabetes and obesity, the organization is advancing research in MASH.

Leadership Award for Public Service, Dr. Frank A. Anania and Dr. Jay H. Hoofnagle

• Frank A. Anania, MD, FAASLD, is the Director of the Division of Hepatology and Nutrition at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) who oversees the safety, efficacy, and regulatory review of clinical trials and novel drug pipelines. Dr. Anania was presented with the 2026 ALF Leadership Award for Public Service. 
• Jay H. Hoofnagle, MD, FAASLD, Former Director of the Liver Diseases Research Branch of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK), also received the 2026 ALF Leadership Award for Public Service that evening. Although he retired this year, his career spans more than 50 years in liver disease research.

Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award, Dr. Michael Karin
Michael Karin, PhD., is the Director and Professor of the Center for Metabolic and Liver Diseases at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Research Institute. Dr. Karin was presented with the foundation's 2026 Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award at a VIP reception that preceded the Gala.

The evening also featured ALF's LIVEr Champion Tommy Nolan who lived with liver disease for years while being a U.S. Navy veteran serving from 1978 to 1982 and a NYPD sergeant from 1988 to 2006. After a routine doctor's appointment revealed elevated liver enzymes, Tommy was diagnosis with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a rare autoimmune liver disease with no cure that had progressed to liver cirrhosis. In 2023, he had a complex liver transplant that saved his life.

ALF extends its deepest gratitude to the 2026 National Legacy Gala Chair, Samantha Kellner, whose personal connection to ALF's mission was shaped by the birth of her second child Raphael, diagnosed with a rare liver disease called biliary atresia as an infant and given a lifesaving transplant within eight weeks of his birth. Inspired by their family's journey, Samantha and her family launched the Kellner Pediatric Liver Foundation (KPLF) and celebrated their 20^th Anniversary as dedicated advocates for children and families affected by liver disease.

The evening included a unique silent auction, a three-course plated dinner, an exciting live auction, and a memorable awards ceremony. Funds raised through the 50^th Anniversary National Legacy Gala benefit the 100 million Americans affected by liver disease through resources, education and support services and to help  advance research and our patient advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill. 

For more information about ALF, please visit www.liverfoundation.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding liver diseases, please call our FREE helpline at 1-800-GO-LIVER (800-465-4837) Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

About the American Liver Foundation

American Liver Foundation (ALF) is a national community of patients, caregivers and medical professionals dedicated to helping people improve their liver health. Providing guidance and life-saving resources, we are a beacon for the 100 million Americans affected by liver disease. We advocate for patients and families, fund medical research, and educate the public about liver wellness and disease prevention. We bring people together through our educational programs and events and create a network of support that lasts a lifetime. ALF is the largest organization focused on all liver diseases and the trusted voice for patients and families living with liver disease. Celebrating 50 years of impact, leading the next 50 years forward. For more information, please visit www.liverfoundation.org or call: 1.800.GO.LIVER (800-465-4837).

Facebook
X
LinkedIn
YouTube
Instagram

Media Contacts: 
Julie Kimbrough 
JKimbrough@liverfoundation.org
Direct dial: 475-295-6227
Karla Thomas
KThomas@liverfoundation.org
Direct dial: 773.575.9477

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pro-football-hall-of-famer-dan-marino-keynoted-american-liver-foundation-alf-gala-302923076.html

SOURCE American Liver Foundation