Healthy Living

7 Famous People with Ulcerative Colitis

Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, can affect anyone at any time. Being a public persona does not make you immune.

“By putting this issue front and center, we want to engage people, raise awareness, and demonstrate our commitment and compassion to finding cures and improving the lives of our patients. We know these diseases extend far beyond the bathroom, but it’s a compelling way to get the conversation started,” said Richard J. Geswell, President and CEO of the CCFA.

Currently, there is no cure for any inflammatory bowel disease, and most treatments involve lifestyle modifications together with medication. And not every medication works for everyone in the same way. Scientists are working to understand the exact causes of inflammatory bowel diseases, so that treatments can be completely individualized and better understood. It's widely recognized that IBD occurs more often in developed countries, but nobody knows exactly why just yet. Researchers have made leaps and bounds in terms of IBD research, but there is still a long way to go.

Here are 7 famous personalities that have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and how they have dealt with their IBD symptoms while being in the spotlight. Each of these people has had a different experience. Continue reading to learn more.

1. Amy Brenneman

Amy Brenneman is an award-winning actress best known for her roles in several TV series such as Judging Amy and Private Practice. In 2010, she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and had to undergo surgery to remove her entire colon. “I try to stay in touch with my intuition as to how my day should go…there are lots of things we don't have control over. But I don't shame myself over it ... I try to have compassion for myself,” she said. Today, Amy is an active spokeswoman for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). “I know firsthand how devastating these diseases can be. So, when CCFA asked me to help I was more than happy to get involved. If my support can help even one person, I’d be happy,” she said. “By putting this issue front and center, we want to engage people, raise awareness, and demonstrate our commitment and compassion to finding cures and improving the lives of our patients. We know these diseases extend far beyond the bathroom, but it’s a compelling way to get the conversation started,” said Richard J. Geswell, President and CEO of the CCFA.

Read on to learn more about 6 famous people with ulcerative colitis, and how they have coped.

Photo: David Dubinsky, John F. Kennedy, Alex Rose, and another gentleman talking, 1962 by Kheel Center
References

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