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Current Title:
Founder/Visionary — Sober Livers
Education:
B.A. Communication Studies, Colorado State University
Certificate in Health Communication, University of Colorado, Denver
Why I founded Sober Livers:
In 2021, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis climbed from 11th to the 9th cause of death for Americans, killing more people than kidney disease (CDC). With alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) being the leading cause of these deaths, as well as the number one reason for liver transplants, I was spurred to take action!
What is Sober Livers:
Through collaboration with Fatty Liver Foundation (FLF) leadership, Sober Livers' Whole Health Advisory Council, and mentors, I began laying the foundation for Sober Livers in the first quarter of 2023. Sober Livers is a FLF impact program that will provide people diagnosed with alcohol-associated liver diseases (ALDs) and their care partners. Our 2024 initiatives include social support through virtual facilitated groups and peer-mentor matching.
Whether you have just been diagnosed with ALD, are pre-, or post-transplant, or a are care partner, Sober Liver is here to support you!
Why I am prepared to lead Sober Liver:
As a professional Research, Communication, Dissemination, and Implementation, Program Manager, I have dynamic experience in government contracting, health communication, aerospace, new media, and supply chain. Demonstrating my agility, I have developed key partners through empathy, listening, and strategic communication, resulting in expansion to new and existing markets. As the visionary for Sober Livers, I am focused on connection, partnership dynamics, resilience training, storytelling, and health models and theories.
What is my personal connection:
As a survivor of severe interpersonal violence (IPV), I developed complex PTSD, drinking like many victims do, to numb the pain. At 46, I almost died from alcohol-induced hepatitis and decompensated liver cirrhosis. With a 30% chance of living, I felt alone, ashamed, and more afraid than I was when a brutal man stalked me across four states. If it wasn’t for my dog who needed me for his survival, I may have given up. With this short-term resolve, I was able to heal enough to discover meaning in my life — a purpose — ensuring others are not alone during this difficult journey.
Today, I have been safe from IPV since 2013, and sober since 2018. After taking inventory of my education, business acumen building multimillion-dollar partners in aerospace government contracting and supply chain management, and lived experience, I decided to dedicate my life to this purpose. In March 2023, I founded this novel program dedicated to helping people survive the diagnosis of ALD. With your support, we can help people with ALD find meaning in their lives, and with their care partners have the joy in life we all deserve!
Auburn University
Beth’s journey started weeks if not years before her visit to her hepatologist in December of 2019. She knew deep down that her swollen and achy belly was not normal and had been ignoring the signs for a long time. She soon learned that she had Cirrhosis, Childs B and that she would need a new liver in order to survive. She was forced to face the fact that she was an alcoholic, something that Beth would need to come clean about to her husband, family and friends. Accepting her reality and the need to change her life, she went all in and was 100% committed to the lifestyle change needed to receive an organ transplant. Her doctor told her that she was in very good condition to receive a new liver, this lifted her spirits and she felt positive about what needed to happen. On July 24, 2020, Beth was watching television when the call came in that she “had liver cancer,” five tumors to be exact. Beth also had latent TB, and her believed good condition, quickly slipped into a living nightmare. She had regular paracenteses to control the ascites and Y90 treatments to attempt to contain the cancer to her liver. The ammonia build -up in her brain had gotten so bad, that she had memory issues and would easily lose track of time. She could no longer drive for her and for the safety of others. The treatment made her so frail that her bones were brittle and as a result, Beth fractured her tailbone in three places. The pain was unbearable. A few days later, her sciatic nerve wrapped around one of the fractures, adding to the already tremendous pain. By February of 2021, the tumors had shrunk, but the cancer was still present. Beth was too frail for a second round of radiation treatment. The next month the ascites was so bad that about 13-pounds were pulled weekly from her stomach. Toward the end of April, Beth’s parents came for a visit, they discussed her last wishes and basically said their good-byes and left around 5:00 pm. And then, at 6:30 pm, the phone rang. A liver was available for Beth. On April 19, 2021 she underwent transplant. Today, healthy and strong, Beth takes every opportunity there is to share her story, not only about alcoholism, but the life-saving importance of being an organ donor. Beth lives each and every day to the fullest and is present in each and every moment, where prior to transplant, she was focused on where and when her next drink would come.
This year, she is the co-chair of the second annual Liver Life Walk Atlanta on June 10 in the Meadow at Piedmont Park. A signature event of the American Liver Foundation (ALF), its goal is to bring together people affected by liver disease to raise awareness and funds while supporting one another in a festive, inspiring environment.
Beth says the 1.5-mile walk is really more of “a stroll.” Children, people in wheelchairs, dogs and strollers are all welcome. In addition to being co-chair, she’s leading a team of walkers and invites people of all ages and abilities to join her or even form their own team.
All funds raised go to the ALF. Currently in first place, Beth’s team has raised over $3,000. Anyone who raises $100 by June 10 qualifies for a free T-shirt, though particular sizes are not guaranteed.
The cost to walk is $20. Children under 17 are free. Register online or onsite at 9:00 am. The walk is 10:00 am-12:00 pm. For details, go to liverlifewalk.org/atlanta.
Come back soon! We are adding to our team, including our Cultural and Spiritual Advisor, Francesca James. Also, we will introduce our
Whole Health Advisory Council. If you are a medical provider and would like to learn more about becoming a member of our advisory team, please send an email to JennJones@SoberLivers.org.
Copyright © 2023 Sober Livers - All Rights Reserved.
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