American Liver Foundation Joins 2026 Chicago Marathon as Charity Partner

The American Liver Foundation (ALF) has been named an official charity partner for the upcoming 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, held on Sunday, October 11. The foundation's "Liver Life Challenge" endurance program will field a team of runners who aim to raise funds and awareness for liver disease.

"ALF is honored to be an official charity partner for the upcoming Bank of America Chicago Marathon once again," said Lorraine Stiehl, Chief Executive Officer, American Liver Foundation. The marathon serves as a significant platform for ALF to educate the public about liver disease prevention, research, and patient support.

Participants in the ALF team often have personal connections to liver disease. Jim O'Connell, the 2026 ALF Team Captain, runs in honor of his late father who died from liver cancer. He stated, "Continuing to raise money to benefit ALF is deeply important to me."

Sydney Flakus-Witte, a researcher at the University of Chicago, is running in support of her husband who was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune liver condition. "I am running to help fund the research that will one day provide better answers for families like mine," she said. The 43-member ALF team is working to meet its fundraising goals to support ALF's mission.