NASCAR Driver Will Rodgers Takes Liver Health to the Racetrack This Liver Awareness Month

October is Liver Awareness Month, and NASCAR driver Will Rodgers is bringing that message to the racetrack.

Rodgers is racing the No. 53 Chevrolet in three NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series events as part of Driving Good Health, a program created in collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim to raise awareness of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a serious form of fatty liver disease. At select races, fans can learn about liver health, connect with health care resources and get a noninvasive liver assessment at no cost.

Living with a rare liver disease since early childhood

Rodgers was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a rare chronic liver disease, at age 3. While there’s no established cure for PSC, he said his doctors helped him reach a stable condition after several years of treatment, and he has lived that way for more than 20 years.

That stability allowed him to pursue a professional racing career, but he still pays close attention to his health. “Living with PSC doesn’t mean I can ignore it,” Rodgers said. He focuses on his diet, fitness and lifestyle and sees a hepatologist several times a year.

Few big voices were talking about liver health

As his racing career grew, so did his platform. Rodgers said he began learning more about liver science and the challenges people face in getting screened and finding support. He also noticed that few athletes, celebrities or politicians were advocating for liver health.

“I realized there needs to be somebody to stand up and share this message,” he said. In 2020, he founded the Will Rodgers Liver Health Foundation, which focuses on education, awareness and helping people get screened. The foundation started with a focus on hepatitis C and has since shifted to MASH and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), where Rodgers said awareness is growing and the science and technology are ready.

Screening before symptoms appear

People with obesity, high blood pressure or Type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of these conditions, Rodgers said. But he encourages everyone to consider screening, because many liver diseases don’t cause noticeable symptoms until they’ve progressed.

Through Driving Good Health, the foundation is partnering with Echosens to offer FibroScan, a noninvasive, ultrasound-based liver assessment. Rodgers said the scan takes anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, with results available right away. He hopes showing how simple screening can be will ease some of the nervousness around it.

Why NASCAR is the right place for this message

Rodgers said NASCAR fans are some of the most loyal in sports, often connecting with drivers through their personal stories. The sport also travels to more than 38 races a season, reaching communities across the country.

Fans who visit the foundation’s fan-zone display can expect interactive health displays, takeaway information, a putting green and giveaways. Anyone nervous about getting a scan is encouraged to talk with Rodgers or a team member first.

Upcoming Driving Good Health activations will take place at Talladega Superspeedway (Oct. 23-25) and Homestead-Miami Speedway (Nov. 6-8).