"I was 5literally within a week or two of 6mortality."
Bill Houston is one of hundreds of thousands of Americans who have had a liver transplant.
"But in early 2019 is when the physical symptoms of liver issues started to show up and it really was a 6 to 8 month process of a rapid decline."
7Tens of millions in the U.S. suffer from some form of liver disease with many not knowing. The disease can be caused by a variety of things, including 8infections, lifestyle choices such as long-term alcohol use, 9genetics and 10autoimmune disorders.
"There are 9,300 people waiting for liver transplants right now. 11Tragically, 25% of those people are going to die waiting."
To help address the 12shortage, the American Liver Foundation has launched the Living Donor Network. Most transplants come from those who have 13passed away, with living donors often knowing the person their liver will go to.
But this new initiative creates a database to connect people who wish to donate part of their liver to someone they don't know, with transplant centers nationwide.
"Help someone in need, giving this gift of life. It's the 14first of its kind. It's never been created before."
As for Bill, after decades of suffering from alcohol use disorder that led to his needing a transplant, he's now an advocate working to help and educate others dealing with 15substance abuse and the impacts of liver disease.
"We're losing too many people. There's no reason not to save all of us."
