Record heat didn’t stop the fight against liver disease

Dr. Rohit Satoskar (center) is seen at a table with his wife and mother to either side. One of the women is wearing a large sunhat while the other is positioned behind two water bottles. — Dr. Rohit Satoskar was joined at The Liver Life Walk by his wife, mother and children in Washington, D.C. on June 22, 2024. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)

From left to right a woman and man wearing green shirts stand facing a distant Washington Monument on a clear day — The Liver Guys team captain Chris Miller has the date of his liver transplant on the back of his team shirt. He walked with his wife, Lynn, during the Liver Life Walk in Washington, D.C. on June 22, 2024. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)

Two transplant survivor wearing blue t-shirts stand in front of a park space — Transplant survivors Jamie Imhof and Roseanne Riggs took part in the walk to fight liver disease in Washington, D.C. on June 22, 2024. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)

Crowds walk toward the Washington Monument, seen in the background — The hot weather did not stop the people from taking part in The Liver Life Walk in Washington, D.C. on June 22, 2024. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)

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People battle the heat to end liver disease

People gathered on the National Mall for The American Liver Foundation’s Liver Life Walk DC on Saturday morning, despite the blistering heat.

“The goal of this walk is to raise money, help patients, to aid in research and reduce the burden of liver disease,” said Rohit Satoskar, Medical Director of Medstar’s Transplant Institute. He was joined on the walk by his wife, daughters and his 79-year-old mother.

When asked if he was surprised that his elderly mother joined them on such a hot day, Satoskar replied, “It’s wonderful.”

“I feel supported. As you know it’s an extremely hot day for anyone. So for a 79-year-old to be out here in the heat to provide that kind of support,” he said. “It’s very touching.”

The organizers made sure that there was enough water and tents for the walkers to stay safe.

On Liver Life Walk DC’s official website, MedStar’s Georgetown Transplant Institute was the top fundraising team. At No. 2 on the team fundraiser list was The Liver Guys.

“I’m the Liver Guy,” said Chris Miller. “I’m a survivor.”

Miller traveled along with his wife and children all wearing matching green shirts with the team name “The Liver Guys” on the back.

“The team is named after him,” said Lynn Miller. “He waited three years for the liver. I still remember getting the call and throwing everything in the car, telling my kids that we were going.”

That was in 2011.

When Miller was asked about what his life was like all these years later, the Oakton, Virginia, resident said he felt “fantastic.”

Gratitude seemed to be the theme of the day.

Jamie Imhof and Roseanne Riggs, both ambassadors of the American Liver Foundation, are also liver transplant survivors and spoke frankly about their battle with alcoholism.

“I’m an alcoholic. I received a transplant because I had full-blown cirrhosis,” said Riggs.

Now, they are both sober and thankful that so many people joined them.

“It’s hard to fully express the gratitude,” said Riggs. “Getting up early. Coming out on a hot day. Raising money, wearing the shirt, walking with us. I’m beyond grateful.”

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