Runners' Stories

RFR Member Thrives with Liver Disease Credits Her Athletic Mother as a Role Model

There is no stopping 29 year-old Diana Erdman Sager of Brooklyn, New York; not even liver disease. Being an athlete is not only in her genes; it has been her calling since she was a young girl. From youth soccer to softball to ice hockey and lacrosse, Diana grew up leaning how to compete and take care of herself to stay in shape. Today, as she prepares to run her first Boston Marathon® in the state where she was born, Diana has a positive attitude about fighting her liver disease and making it to the finish line in record time.

When Diana was 11, a camp counselor noticed that her skin had turned yellow. Blood tests back home revealed that Diana had liver disease and a further biopsy determined that she had autoimmune chronic active hepatitis (CAH). CAH is a progressive inflammation of the liver that is associated with an abnormality of the body’s immune system. Diana has been on a course of immunosuppressant and steroid medication which has kept her liver function tests normal for years. Last year, however, Dr. Gambarin of Cornell University discovered she had pancreatitis, a condition which is now clear through the management of her medications. Diana is grateful that she has a doctor who supports Diana’s running and really listens. Diana didn’t let this setback hinder her. As soon as she felt better, Diana completed eight triathlons.

Triathlons have helped Diana ward off the injuries that can be a result of taking cortical steroids and immuno-suppressants to combat CAH. The loss of bone density can create stress fractures. Diana had to cancel her 1988 New York City Marathon due to four stress fractures. Now, however Diana is conscious of her cross training and mixes running with yoga, weight training and Reiki therapy. She also lives by the mantra of getting eight hours of sleep each night, eating healthy and avoiding all alcohol.

“Running is a non-negotiable part of my life,” says this Director of Policy and Research for the Christie Company in New York. Even when Diana, she finds the time to run and has enlisted her boss to go along. At home in Brooklyn, Diana says her running partner keeps her going through the dark cold mornings; they text each other to ensure that no one stays in bed. Diana is particularly close to her family and credits her mother, an avid runner and marathon athlete, for giving her strength and motivation. It is her great hope that that her 93 year-old Grandpa Irvy will come to Boston with her mom, dad and sister on April 21 to cheer her to the finish line.

To date, Diana has raised over $3,000 for the American Liver Foundation (ALF). “Personally, I have felt afraid, lonely and dispirited at times,” says Diana. “I love that ALF provides useful information to people like me who live with liver disease,” she explains. She is also adamant about ensuring that liver disease research is properly funded. “My disease, autoimmune hepatitis, does not have a cure. There is only treatment at this point,” Diana says.

“Having a positive mental attitude is integral for success in endurance athletics as well as for healing yourself and your liver disease. I encourage everyone to never give up,” explains Diana.