Hello Walnut Creek!
This week’s Tuesday Small Business Highlight shares a story rooted in friendship, resilience, and a drive to create change. Meet the Hepatic Hope Foundation, a Walnut Creek nonprofit founded to push for better solutions in liver disease treatment after witnessing a close friend’s difficult journey . What began as a deeply personal experience has grown into a mission focused on advancing research and redefining what’s possible for patients.
Tell us the story behind the Hepatic Hope Foundation. What inspired you to start it, and how did it all begin?
Emma has been our best friend since the 6th grade. We have walked alongside her through everything: the highs and the lows. In the spring of 2024, Emma had to leave her junior year of college due to alarming signs of liver failure. Weeks turned into months, and Emma’s body did not respond to any of the various intense treatments intended to reverse her declining condition. When her doctors told her she would need a second liver transplant, she did not want to go through that battle again. When she told us how she felt, we understood. How could we ask our best friend to endure something so painful and exhausting again?
That was the moment everything shifted for us. Instead of trying to convince Emma to keep fighting, we started questioning her disheartening, limited options. What if this was not the only path? What if there could be something better, not just for Emma, but for everyone facing the same reality?
The idea that would eventually become the Hepatic Hope Foundation started on a drive to Mendocino. Emma had been invited, but she decided not to come because she believed she would be flying back to finish her semester that Friday. About two hours into the drive, we got a text from her that said, “I should have come.” That was the day we all learned she was not healthy enough to return to school. It was heartbreaking. At that point, Emma believed she might only have a few months left to live.
Like anyone would, we started thinking about how to make the most of the time she thought she had left. As we drove, we joked about how we could reach out to billionaires to fund a bucket list of experiences for her. But somewhere in that conversation, the tone changed. We realized we did not want to plan for the end; we wanted to change the outcome. We looked at each other and thought, “Why not us? Why can’t we be part of something bigger?” So, what started as an idea quickly became a purpose.
Inspired by Emma, we created the Hepatic Hope Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to funding research for artificial livers and liver support systems as a long term solution for autoimmune hepatitis. We believe repeated organ transplantation should not be the only option, and certainly not a cure.
Our mission is to drive meaningful research and innovation that can transform the future of liver disease treatment. We are committed to supporting advancements in artificial liver technology, fostering collaboration among researchers, and helping move life saving solutions from the lab to real patients. Through this work, we hope to change what it means to live with autoimmune hepatitis. This foundation is rooted in love, urgency, and the belief that there has to be a better way, and that we can help find it.
Can you share more about the person and story that’s at the heart of this foundation?
Emma grew up a happy and healthy kid. She not only excelled academically, but was also a stellar swimmer and competitive soccer player. Her whole life seemed essentially normal, until it wasn’t…
Emma lived, unknowingly, with autoimmune hepatitis until ending up in the emergency room due to her yellow discoloration. At sixteen years old, she was immediately rushed to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, where she was placed #1 on the national transplant list due to her medical state.
From the moment Emma entered the hospital, doctors recognized that she was a medical phenomenon: “I felt completely fine. I mean I was nuclear yellow, but I felt fine. Just as tired as every other teenager, stacked with homework, but still enjoying life. My doctors told me I shouldn’t have been able to walk, talk, or let alone understand what they were saying.” Four days after being admitted, Emma had an emergency liver transplant: November 4, 2018.
Since then, Emma has been combating the repercussions of her new reality: Rituximab infusions, external drains and ostomy bags, hundreds of procedures- nothing a kid should get used to.
On April 13, 2024 Emma was flown home from college for emergency surgery. After multiple tests and biopsies, her doctors discovered that she was suffering from three forms of rejection: chronic rejection, acute rejection, and donor mediated rejection.
She received multiple rounds of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions over those next few months. Despite the intense treatment, her labs were not improving. Since her infusions did not yield positive results, she received a second transplant in October of 2024 and is still undergoing the painstaking recovery. Unfortunately, due to Emma’s autoimmune hepatitis, coupled with her three other chronic illnesses, this new liver will last her an undetermined amount of time.
Emma has always been so positive and optimistic, but as her health declines, it becomes more difficult for her to put up a fight; this is why we are asking for your help. With your support, researchers could help Emma and many other individuals suffering from autoimmune hepatitis survive.
For those who may not be familiar, what is liver disease, and why is awareness around it so important?
Liver disease is a broad term, but in our case, we focus on autoimmune hepatitis: a chronic condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the liver. Over time, this disease causes inflammation and damage that can lead to scarring, and even liver failure, if not properly managed.
Autoimmune hepatitis is especially challenging because current treatments are limited; they mainly focus on suppressing the immune system, which does not work for everyone and can come with significant side effects. For many patients, autoimmune hepatitis evolves into a long and uncertain journey, sometimes even leading to liver transplantation.
Awareness is so important; this is a disease that is often misunderstood and under-recognized, despite how serious it can be. When more people understand autoimmune hepatitis and its impact, it directly translates into better outcomes for patients. The Hepatic Hope Foundation is focused on advancing research, because we believe innovation can truly change and save lives.
What has been the biggest challenge in building a nonprofit like this, and how have you navigated it?
The biggest challenge we faced was the initial execution of creating the nonprofit. It was really fun to talk about potential ideas of how to raise money and who to donate to, but bringing our plans to life was a huge hurdle. We wish we could say this happened overnight, but in reality it took months and months of careful planning before we could even call ourselves a 501(c)(3).
We began by meeting with a wide range of professionals, from web developers to financial advisors to medical experts. It took nearly six months of preliminary meetings before we were allowed to receive a single donation. There were many obstacles we ran into, each one becoming bigger than the last. We questioned ourselves many times, wondering if it was truly worth all the trouble. Friends and family often encouraged us to raise money for a preexisting nonprofit that funded liver research; they claimed it would be too much work for us to create a foundation on our own. Although we considered this, we knew in our hearts that we were following the right path; there was never going to be an existing organization that was as motivated to focus on autoimmune hepatitis as we were.
Breaking into the nonprofit space was the biggest challenge we have faced, especially as two young girls. But we navigated those challenges by staying resourceful, seeking guidance, and remaining deeply committed to our mission. In the end, the process not only validated our decision but also made the outcome far more meaningful.
What has been the most meaningful or rewarding moment for you so far?
One of the most meaningful parts of this journey has been seeing our mission come to life through the experiences and people we’ve met along the way.
A standout moment for us was participating in the Global Liver Institute’s Advanced Advocacy Academy in Washington, D.C. It was an incredibly powerful experience to be surrounded by patients and advocates who are all working toward the same goal. The program gave us the tools to tell our story more effectively and advocate on a national level, but what made it truly rewarding was Hill Day, when we met with 51 Congressional offices. Being able to directly speak with policymakers about the urgent needs in liver health was exceedingly impactful.
Another meaningful experience was attending the 2024 Liver Meeting, hosted by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Being in a room with leading researchers and witnessing the recognition of groundbreaking work in liver disease was both inspiring and motivating. It reinforced how much progress is being made and how important it is to continue supporting that momentum.
On a more local level, partnering with businesses like Blue Dog Events, Misto Lino, and Orchard Nursery has been just as rewarding. These collaborations have shown us how willing our community is to rally behind our cause. Seeing people come together at events, support our fundraisers, and genuinely care about making a difference has been incredibly meaningful. Altogether, it’s these moments that remind us why we started Hepatic Hope and continue to push us forward.
What impact has the foundation had so far, and what are your goals moving forward?
So far, the impact of Hepatic Hope has been incredibly tangible: every dollar raised is directly advancing real scientific progress. Through our partnerships with leading doctors, we are helping move research from theory into measurable outcomes.
Dr. Nighot, one of our partners, is an accomplished physician scientist whose work utilizes advanced cellular models to identify new therapeutic targets and develop innovative treatments aimed at preventing or reversing scar tissue formation in the liver. Dr. Nighot recently shared findings from a study made possible by our community’s support; his team analyzed liver biopsy samples before and after a 16-week structured exercise program using advanced RNA sequencing. What they found was striking: patients who showed clinical improvement also had meaningful changes at the molecular level, including reduced inflammation, decreased fibrosis, and improved metabolic function. Patients who did not improve clinically showed little to no genetic change. This tells us that real recovery in liver disease is not just symptomatic, it is happening at a biological level. It also provides early evidence that exercise could play a role in reversing damage from progressive liver disease and opens the door to identifying biomarkers and new treatment pathways, especially for conditions like autoimmune hepatitis.
This kind of progress is exactly why we started Hepatic Hope. We are not just raising awareness, we are actively helping push science forward. Looking ahead, our goals are to expand both the scale and scope of this work. We want to accelerate the development of targeted treatments that go beyond managing symptoms to actually changing the course of disease. We want to find a cure!
You have an upcoming poker tournament — can you tell us more about the event and what people can expect?
Our upcoming poker tournament brings together everything that defines our mission: community, connection, and impact, all in a fun setting!
We are hosting our second annual tournament at Back Forty Texas BBQ Roadhouse. The evening is designed to be welcoming, whether you are an experienced poker player or just coming for the atmosphere. Guests can expect a professionally run tournament led by Blue Dog Events, a great dinner, and a lively environment where people can connect over a shared cause. Dinner begins at 5:00 PM, followed by the tournament at 6:00 PM.
What makes the night especially meaningful is the purpose behind it. Every ticket and donation directly supports our work funding research for autoimmune hepatitis. Last year’s event really set the tone; we raised over $20,000 to support advancements in liver research. This year, we are building on that momentum and aiming to make an even bigger impact!
Want to join the fun? Register here!
How can the local community get involved or support Hepatic Hope (whether through events, donations, or other ways)?
There are a number of meaningful ways for the local community to get involved with and support Hepatic Hope, and every level of support truly makes a difference.
One of the most impactful ways is by attending our events. We host community-driven fundraisers, like our upcoming poker tournament, that bring people together for a fun cause while also directly supporting research. Showing up, bringing friends, and helping us grow those events plays a huge role in both awareness and fundraising.
Donations are another critical piece. As a small nonprofit, every contribution, whether it is an individual gift or a corporate sponsorship, goes directly toward advancing research for autoimmune hepatitis and improving quality of life for patients.
Beyond that, simply helping us spread the word is incredibly valuable. Autoimmune hepatitis is not widely known, and increasing awareness is a big part of our mission. Following us on social media, sharing our story, or connecting us with potential partners can help expand our reach in ways that really build over time. The Hepatic Hope Foundation was built from a personal connection to this disease, and it continues to grow because of a community that cares.
Click here to donate!
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If you’re looking for a way to support something meaningful, this is a cause worth learning more about. It’s a reminder of how powerful a community can be when it comes together with purpose.
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