The Sumner Family Story

After learning of their son’s diagnosis, the Sumner's began looking for support groups and more information on Chris’ condition. In the summer of 1983, Diane and Mark attended a Children’s Liver Foundation (CLF) hosted picnic. Attending this picnic allowed them to see that there were many success stories associated with liver disease, a very comforting and uplifting realization. Until this point, all that they had seen and known were children with liver disease that were very ill. Although their search for support was largely successful, Mark was growing increasingly frustrated with his search for information. The information that he did find on Chris’ condition was too difficult to understand unless one was a doctor. More intelligible sources of information simply did not exist. The experiences of finding support and the lack of information would become the basis for the founding of C.L.A.S.S. 12 years later.

Diane and Mark quickly and eagerly became involved in the Southern California chapter of the CLF. In time, Diane became President of the chapter, a position she held until the disbanding of the national CLF organization in 1987. The Summers then joined the Board of Directors of the local chapter of the United Liver Association (ULA) hoping to bring attention to the desperate need for services directed specifically towards children. Diane was named to a newly created position, Director of Children’s Services, which allowed her to bring focus to children’s programs. In 1994, Mark and Diane resigned from the ULA and set out on the long journey of establishing a non-profit organization.

Chris, Mark, and Diane's story is not unique. What is unique is Chris, Mark, and Diane's passionate need to pay it forward. Please help other family's in need by giving a little today.