With research showing a growing prevalence of ANAs - the main biomarker indicative of autoimmunity - triggers of autoimmune disease, like viruses, toxins and diet, will only continue to put more people at risk.Īutoimmunity is the epidemic no one is talking about, or at least not talking about enough. These numbers don’t include the surge in patients suffering from persistent COVID-19-related symptoms, estimated at 10% to 30% of all those infected with the virus and believed, at least in some of those cases, to be caused by an autoimmune reaction. Today more than 30 million Americans, or one out of five, live with an autoimmune condition, a vast cry from the significantly lower ratio of 1 in 400 affected a mere two generations ago. Other autoimmune conditions like MS, RA and lupus, among many others, are not so rare. Scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis, is a rare disease, believed to affect approximately 30 out of one million people annually. In one of his last interviews prior to his death, he spoke emotionally about raising awareness to honor his late sister’s memory: “I can’t watch what happened to my sister happen to more people.”
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#Gay saget scleroderma skin#
The vascular abnormalities that lead to these skin changes can also damage internal organs, especially the esophagus, intestines, lungs, heart and kidneys.Īn active champion of fundraising and research, Saget sat on the board of the Scleroderma Research Foundation, helping to raise more than $26 million for research. His story involved the tragic loss of his sister, Gay Saget, at age 47 from scleroderma, the hallmark of which is tightening, or fibrosis, of the skin. Last month, Bob Saget’s death became the reason why the topic of autoimmunity has come up again. This involves a massive shift in mindset to acknowledge the central role that diet, lifestyle and environment play in the onset and course of autoimmune disease.” Source: Adobe Stock. “Available autoimmune treatments fail three out of four people,” Nicole Bundy, MD, said. Thanks to celebrities like Christina Applegate, Caroline Wozniacki, Selena Gomez and many others over the years, we are all a little wiser about the personal toll of living with autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Usually this happens when a celebrity bravely uses their place in the limelight to raise awareness by publicly sharing news about their diagnosis. If you continue to have this issue please contact to HealioĮvery so often, autoimmunity hits the mainstream media. He brought us all laughter and demonstrated dedication to a cause that we at Scleroderma Atlantic share.We were unable to process your request. They can visit our website where they will find access to support and community. If you are reading this and know someone living with scleroderma, please share our organization’s information with them. Scleroderma Atlantic is a not-for-profit organization led by volunteers who, for the most part, either have scleroderma or have cared or are caring for someone living with scleroderma. Testing is very specific and treatments can be both hard to access and inadequate for the multitude of symptoms. Diagnosis can be very difficult and can take years to confirm. Right now, there are over 400 people in Atlantic Canada living with scleroderma. Little did I know that just a few years later, my sister would be diagnosed with the disease.” Saget recalled to People Magazine: "I said yes and hosted the event, which starred Ellen DeGeneres, Rosie O’Donnell and others. He volunteered actively and eventually became a board member of the Scleroderma Research Foundation, raising millions of dollars and hosting his signature comedy show Hot Cuisine, Cool Comedy for the cause. Her illness and death was a terrible shock to the family and Bob would say his parents suffered from PTSD as a result of the experience of caring for Gay through her illness.īob was a dedicated advocate for the scleroderma cause for more than 25 years. There is no cure.īob’s sister, Gay, a schoolteacher, became very sick and ultimately died from scleroderma at 47. It involves the hardening of skin and connective tissue, and often significantly affects internal organs.
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Scleroderma is a rare auto-immune disease. But there was another side to Bob that many do not know about - it has to do with a disease called scleroderma. Many have heard about the unexpected death of beloved actor, host, and comedian Bob Saget last month - and if you are like me, and thousands of other people across North America, we are collectively saddened.Īs a charismatic television entertainer, Bob brought a lot of laughter to generations of people across North America.