Statement made on 11 June 2009 by Senator William Rompkey (retired)
Hon. Bill Rompkey:
Honourable senators, the liver plays a critical role in protecting and nurturing our bodies and is vital to our overall health. Every day our decisions regarding what to eat, what medications or supplements to take, or even our extracurricular activities can have both short-term and long- term impact on our liver health.
Liver disease affects 1 in 10 Canadians and can strike men, women and children of any age. While there is a misconception that liver disease is only caused by alcohol consumption, the fact is that only 1 of 100 diseases of the liver is alcohol-related.
The Canadian Liver Foundation's mandate is to fund research into the causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of all forms of liver disease. The foundation has chapters across Canada that provide liver health information and ongoing support for liver disease patients and their families.
On June 7, my wife and I participated in the Ottawa chapter's fourth annual Stroll for Liver. Trisha Nagpal, a healthy 18-year- old Ottawa girl, died suddenly of liver decease in 2005. It only took 11 days from the time Trisha was first admitted to the Ottawa Hospital and then sent to London for a liver transplant before, sadly, she passed away due to liver failure. It is in Trisha's memory that her family started the first Stroll for Liver in Ottawa to bring greater attention and support to the often overlooked health issue of liver disease.
The Ottawa chapter's Stroll for Liver has raised more than $115,000 over the past four years and, as a direct result, the Trisha Nagpal Memorial Scholarship was established. Last year's recipient, Adrian Hastings, helped us in our understanding of the hepatitis B virus. This year, our support will help provide liver health education and awareness programs in our community in support of families living with liver disease.
The Canadian Liver Foundation's chapters hold volunteer- driven fundraising and awareness events like Stroll for Liver in cities across Canada. I invite honourable senators to join me in supporting these events and the Canadian Liver Foundation in your communities. I applaud the Canadian Liver Foundation and its volunteers for raising awareness regarding liver health and for helping families living with liver disease.