Shawanna's Strut & Stroll for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Shawanna James-Coles is a local educator and started her Strut and Stroll six months after being diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease to raise awareness.
 
This year’s event is sponsored by Plymouth Whitemarsh High School’s Black Cultural Awareness Student Group and Springfield Township High School’s Voices of Excellence Student Group (V.O.E.). The October date was chosen because it is Liver Disease Awareness Month.
 
The walk is free. Participants are invited to bring their families, wear green (color for liver disease awareness), spend the morning strutting and strolling, and donate to “Shawanna’s Strut and Stroll for Liver Disease” in person at the event or any TD Bank location. Donations are also being accepted via Venmo: @Shawanna-Coles or Zelle: Shawannacoles@aol.com. Liver Disease Awareness shirts will be sold at the walk, with proceeds benefitting the American Liver Foundation & Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.  News Article
 
James-Coles knew nothing about non-alcoholic fatty liver disease until she was diagnosed and was shocked to know that this disease also impacts children. While there is no cure, The research shows that we have to be mindful of what we are putting in our bodies and how it impacts our bodies.
 
According to the American Liver Foundation, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the buildup of extra fat in liver cells not caused by alcohol. It is usual for the liver to contain some fat. However, if more than 5% – 10% percent of the liver’s weight is fat, it is called a fatty liver. About 100 million people in the United States are estimated to have NAFLD. It is the most common form of liver disease in children and has doubled over the past 20 years.