Spread the Word: September 14 Is International PBC Day

PEARLAND, TX--(Marketwired - Sep 12, 2014) - The PBCers announced today that Sunday, September 14 is International PBC Day. Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease that slowly destroys the bile ducts within the liver. PBC is more prevalent in women than men by a factor of roughly 10 to 1. It is not drug or alcohol related, and is not contagious. Usually the first and most debilitating symptoms noticed are itching, fatigue, bone and muscle pain. At this time there is no known cause or cure.

"Awareness of PBC is improving, but we still have a long way to go," said Linie Moore, President of the PBCers. "That is why International PBC Day is so important. It provides the PBC community with an opportunity to educate the public about the disease and encourage new medical research. We are asking people to promote PBC awareness anywhere you can... at the grocery store, in church, at work, with neighbors and at the hair salon. The more familiar the general public is with the disease, the more funds are available for research and the closer we are to a cure."

One of the largest barriers to greater understanding of PBC is confusion surrounding the condition's name. The PBCers are part of an international coalition of patient groups that have called for a re-evaluation of the term "cirrhosis" in primary biliary cirrhosis.

"The first thing people think of when they hear the word 'cirrhosis' is alcohol abuse, so immediately there is a stigma surrounding the condition even though it has nothing to do with alcohol," added Ms. Moore. "Cirrhosis can be a long-term complication of PBC, but many people living with PBC don't have cirrhosis. It is great to see that momentum is growing for a name change among both patients and doctors."

As a new way to spread the word about the condition and raise funds for research, the PBCers are launching an initiative called the Peanut Butter Cookie Challenge. 

Here's how you can participate:

1. Bake or buy 1 peanut butter cookie and do NOT eat it.
2. You must GIVE it away to a spouse, family member, friend, neighbor, co-worker, anyone you want to give the cookie to. Then challenge 3 others to take the PBC Challenge. 
3. If you eat the cookie or don't do the challenge, we ask you to send a $10 donation for PBC research and then challenge 3 other people.
4. Create a video or take a picture of your challenge and post it on the PBCers Facebook page.

Take the Peanut Butter Cookie Challenge today!

About the PBCers

The PBCers Organization is a wonderful source of education and support for those who suffer from Primary Biliary Cirrhosis and other autoimmune liver diseases. Formed December 1, 1996, the PBCers is now the largest PBC online support group with almost 3,000 members worldwide. Family members and friends are encouraged to join and learn more about PBC. We offer our members many areas of help and support, but the main support system is the PBC Daily Digest. Our main goal is that no one feel alone with PBC.

PBC Challenge donations should be sent to:
PBC Challenge
Carol Roberts
113 Creston Court, Rochester, NY 14612. 
Checks made payable to PBCers Organization, a public charity under section 501 (c) (3).