L. Marie Asad: Turning Diagnosis Into Advocacy and Community

After being diagnosed with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC), L. Marie Asad transformed her personal journey into a mission to support others facing the same reality. As the founder and president of the Friends of the PBC Foundation, she is creating space for education, connection, and empowerment for individuals navigating this rare liver disease.

With more than two decades of experience helping others access healthcare and community resources, L. Marie brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work. When she realized that support systems for PBC were more established in Europe than in the United States, she took initiative traveling abroad, building connections, and ultimately establishing a U.S.-based foundation to fill the gap.

PBC is a progressive autoimmune disease that often goes undiagnosed due to subtle or overlooked symptoms. Through her foundation, L. Marie is committed to raising awareness, helping patients recognize early signs, and encouraging them to advocate for their health with confidence.

Her passion for service began early and has remained a consistent thread throughout her life and career. Today, that same passion fuels her advocacy, as she works to ensure that those living with rare diseases feel seen, supported, and informed.

Through leadership, education, and community-building, L. Marie Asad continues to turn her diagnosis into impact, reminding others that even in the face of uncertainty, no one has to navigate it alone.