Recent estimates suggest that multiple sclerosis affects at least 300,000 people in the United States and over 1 million worldwide, not surprisingly there are many famous people with multiple sclerosis. Many of them have continued to live long and active lives. Many of them have become ambassadors for multiple sclerosis helping to bring it into the attention of the public, which in turn has been a great help in raising funds for research and treatment.
There are several actors and actresses among the list of famous people with multiple sclerosis, perhaps one of the most memorable is Annette Funicello. America’s most favorite mouseketeer for 4 years in the late 1950s first noticed the symptoms of MS while shooting the film Back to the Beach in 1987. After going public with her condition in 1992 she continued to work until the symptoms became too severe for her to work. In 2002 she was the Ambassador for the Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Walk MS event.
Athletes are also prominent on the list of famous people with multiple sclerosis, former Olympic skier Jimmy Heuga was first noticed the symptoms of MS in 1967 and was diagnosed in 1970. Although this derailed his career as a professional skier he was determined to not let it overcome him. In 1984 he founded the Heuga Center for Multiple Sclerosis to teach people how to use diet and exercise to reduce the impact of MS on their lives.
Being on the list of famous people with multiple sclerosis may not be quite the place for J.K. Rowling since she does not have it herself but her mother does. However the famous author of the Harry Potter books is considered the patron saint of MS in Scotland as she made a large cash donation to help establish a research center for multiple sclerosis in Edinburgh at the University of Edinburgh.
There are many famous people on the list from all walks of life, the disease is not particular, it can affect anyone without warning. Many of the famous people have used their public fame to help further the progress of research either through donations or charitable events. As long as this disease is not cured there will be more stars who once diagnosed will do everything in their power to help find a cure.