Deutsche Leberhilfe e.V. (German Liver Patients Association)

Deutsche Leberhilfe e.V. is a patient association in Germany, which was founded in 1987. It is a national non-profit organisation that has established itself as the trusted information point between doctors and patients. Its aim is to help patients to help themselves through providing advice and information material to them, their families and carers. The association also works to inform the public about possible causes of liver disease, therapies and prevention. Furthermore, it represents the liver patients community within medical guidelines and German health policy. It hopes to dispel the prejudices and myth of liver disease as a ‘self-inflicted’ disease.

Deutsche Leberhilfe offers information on a large variety of diseases, such as viral hepatitis A – E, autoimmune liver disease (AIH, PBC, PSC), drug-induced liver injury (DILI), NAFLD, Gilbert Syndrome, alcohol-related liver disease, late-stage liver disease, rare metabolic diseases, and COVID-19 in liver patients. Leberhilfe offers general information and advice on these subjects, so that patients can then make informed decisions together with their doctors. Leberhilfe however cannot diagnose or treat patients. It also cannot provide patients with any medication, financial or legal support.

The association is led by a board that consists of four patients and two hepatologists. Two experienced full-time employees are based at Leberhilfe office in Cologne to take care of its helpline, online and print publications, and organizational matters. To ensure that our advice and written information materials are correct and up-to-date, the association is supported by a scientific advisory board of liver specialists and scientists. Deutsche Leberhilfe e.V. also cooperates with patient groups across Germany and is member of World Hepatitis Alliance and Liver Patients International.