Hello [[INITIATIVE.AUDIENCE MEMBER.FIRST NAME]], 

March is National Nutrition Month, which feels fitting because my relationship with food has had more plot twists than a soap opera.

Let me take you back to my ballet years, when I truly believed fat was the enemy. I lived on Diet Coke and Red Vines, faithfully visiting a vending machine in the dance studio stocked only with diet sodas. Check out this photo of me from that time. I labeled it “fat ole me.” Spoiler alert: I wasn’t fat!

For 17 years, fat was forbidden. I avoided peanut butter, eggs, nuts, and anything cooked with oil, but happily devoured fat-free cookies the size of my hand. I tried grapefruit diets, three-boiled-egg marathons, and even a teaspoon of vinegar after meals to curb my appetite. I starved myself in the morning, ate an orange and a Diet Coke (of course) for lunch, and had processed food loaded with sugar for dinner. If the label said “zero fat,” I didn’t question the sugar hiding inside. I was basically a late-80s nutrition myth in pointe shoes.

Eventually, I realized the real plot twist: fat wasn’t the villain—sugar was.

I began reading labels differently. I stopped obsessing over fat grams and started paying attention to sugar content. I welcomed real food back onto my plate. Peanut butter returned. Eggs made a comeback. Cashews and peanuts reappeared. Olive oil was no longer scandalous.

The biggest shift wasn’t dramatic—it was gradual. It took me two full years to wean myself off Diet Coke. Two years. Habits don’t change overnight, especially the ones wired into you as a teenager. But slowly, my body recalibrated. The bloating disappeared. My energy stabilized. I even lost weight naturally, without trying.

Today, I weigh less than I did at the height of my ballet career. I still enjoy a square of dark chocolate a few times a week. Occasionally, I’ll devour a handful of gummy bears. The difference is, now I eat with awareness instead of fear. And when you see that old photo of me believing I wasn’t thin enough, remember: I didn’t need to weigh less. I needed better information—and the patience to change.

This matters beyond my own story. Rates of fatty liver disease are rising dramatically in the United States, closely tied to high sugar consumption and increasing obesity. Fatty liver disease is now one of the leading causes of liver cancer. For years, we blamed fat while quietly drowning in sugar.

Nutrition isn’t about fear or fads—it’s about understanding how our daily choices affect our long-term health.

That’s also why Blue Faery continues to bring expert education directly to communities. On April 25, we’ll host a free in-person HCC Lunch & Learn in Houston, where leading liver specialists will discuss liver health, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and practical steps people can take to protect their liver—including the role nutrition plays in prevention and overall liver wellness.

If National Nutrition Month teaches us anything, it’s this: sometimes the villain isn’t who we thought it was.

Today, nutrition is a dance I truly enjoy.

Fighting Liver Cancer Together,
Andrea Wilson Woods
Founder and President 

We would love to hear how Blue Faery has made a difference in your life. Your story can inspire patients, caregivers, and advocates across our community, and sharing it is simple. When you open the link, please click the volume icon to hear Andrea's message before clicking the record button.

A liver cancer diagnosis can bring overwhelming questions and uncertainty. Blue Faery’s Patient Resource Guide, now in its 4th edition, was created to help patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers navigate this journey with clarity and support. Available in English, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese, the guide explains what to expect after a liver cancer diagnosis, outlines treatment options in easy-to-understand language, and shares real patient stories that remind readers they are not alone. Best of all, these guides are completely free and can be shipped anywhere in the world.

This vital resource is only possible because of the generosity of our supporters. Your donation helps us print and distribute these guides to patients and families who need reliable information and hope. If you believe every patient deserves access to trusted resources, please consider supporting Blue Faery today. Donate now to help us keep these guides free and accessible for everyone who needs them.

Blue Faery is bringing patients, caregivers, and liver health experts together for a free in-person HCC Lunch & Learn on April 25, 2026, in Houston, Texas. This educational event will feature leading liver specialists discussing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver health, treatment options, and resources for patients and families. It’s a chance to learn from experts, ask questions, and connect with others who understand the journey.

NOTE:Due to the serious topics we’ll be discussing, all attendees must be at least 16 years old.

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