National Friends is a national patient advocacy organization built to help liver transplant patients reach centers able to evaluate and, if possible, transplant them in time when the center where they are listed, evaluated, or managed is unlikely to do so.
We provide patient-side operational support for caregivers and patients with permission, while clinical authority remains with transplant physicians, surgeons, and transplant-center teams.
National patient advocacy with operational discipline
National Friends exists because some end-stage liver patients will not reach transplant in time at the center where they are currently managed. We help patients and caregivers pursue another center when needed and requested, while clinical authority remains with transplant center teams.
Friends of the National Liver Waiting List Foundation is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) public charity. Our determination letter is on file, and donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Don't take our word for it — verify our status directly with the IRS: open the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search and search EIN 41-4967738.
We help families organize forms, records, center contacts, and next actions when energy is low and urgency is high.
Start Support →We help patients and caregivers use public center data to ask stronger questions and evaluate realistic options.
Compare Centers →We provide operational rights context so families can pursue lawful options without avoidable confusion.
Know Your Rights →Our public work is designed to speak clearly and credibly to four audiences:
Leadership placeholders below are reusable card slots for approved board biographies and portraits.
Role: Board Director
Short board biography placeholder text for governance background and transplant-system relevance.
Role: Board Director
Short board biography placeholder text for legal, financial, or operational expertise.
Role: Board Director
Short board biography placeholder text for patient advocacy and caregiver systems experience.
Our Medical Advisory Board is composed of practicing transplant hepatologists and transplant surgeons at leading U.S. liver transplant programs. They review the clinical content on this site. Full biographies and institutional source links: Medical Advisory Board →
Role: Transplant Hepatologist
Interim Medical Director of Liver Transplant and Hepatology, Intermountain Medical Center. Board-certified in gastroenterology and transplant hepatology; 35+ years in liver transplantation.
Role: Transplant Surgeon
Medical Director, Intermountain Health Transplant Program; Program and Surgical Director of Abdominal Transplant Services, Intermountain Medical Center.
Role: Transplant Surgeon
Transplant Surgeon, Intermountain Health Transplant Program. Board-certified in surgery; abdominal transplant fellowship, University of Washington.
Role: Transplant Hepatologist
Transplant Hepatologist and Gastroenterologist, Intermountain Health. Triple board-certified in internal medicine, gastroenterology, and transplant hepatology.
Role: Transplant Hepatologist
Transplant Hepatologist, Baylor Scott & White Liver Consultants of Texas, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas. Triple board-certified in transplant hepatology, gastroenterology, and internal medicine.
We rely on public, authoritative sources and present them for patient-side understanding and decision support:
A place to share their story and honor the memory of those we've lost. Visit the memorial garden to celebrate the lives of organ donors and those waiting for a transplant.
In honor of those you love, share your story, here, if you wish. →
This website provides general information only. It is not medical advice.
Clinical authority belongs to transplant physicians, surgeons, and transplant-center clinical teams. National Friends provides patient-side advocacy and practical support only.
