16 Health Causes Celebrities Stand For

On November 7, 1991, basketball star Earvin “Magic” Johnson, announced that he was retiring from the Lakers due to his HIV-positive status:

“For the kids, that’s why I am gonna be a spokesperson for this HIV virus. I want them to understand that safe sex in the way to go ... Here I am saying that it can happen to anybody. Even me, Magic Johnson, it can happen to.”

Nearly 20 years later, Magic Johnson is unquestionably an HIV/AIDS spokesperson. He has spent the better part of two decades advocating tirelessly for health education and running community-based programming -- much of which specifically focuses on the HIV virus -- through the Magic Johnson Foundation and its “I Stand With Magic” campaign.

Johnson is just one of many celebrities who have dedicated their star power and influence to a health-related cause. And these famous faces may be able to have more of an effect on people's behaviors than the rest us. An online poll conducted in May by NBCUniversal found that 81 percent of respondents believed that “television has the power to educate ... consumers to lead healthier lives,” and 57 percent attributed much of this power to on-air personalities.

If a familiar face can sell a product, perhaps the same principle applies when it comes to health education. As Chris Noth, spokesperson for Ask.Screen.Know (a diabetes screening campaign) told The Huffington Post in June, “People know me from ‘Sex and the City’ and ‘Law and Order.’ If I can get their attention, then so be it."

We’ve put together a list of some celebrities who use their (oft-pretty) faces to encourage Americans to become educated about domestic and global health issues. Who knows? Maybe their stories will even inspire you to get involved.

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Parkinson's Disease: Michael J. Fox

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Best known for his starring roles on television series, "Family Ties" and "Spin City," -- and his time traveling antics as Marty McFly in the "Back to the Future" trilogy -- 50-year-old Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, a degenerative disorder, in 1991. In 1998 he publicly disclosed his diagnosis and founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research in 2000. The foundation has raised over $85 million for Parkinson's research and education. Much of its efforts focus on stem cell research. He also penned his first book, a memoir entitled "Lucky Man," in 2002.

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Best known for his starring roles on television series, "Family Ties" and "Spin City," -- and his time traveling antics as Marty McFly in the "Back to the Future" trilogy -- 50-year-old Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, a degenerative disorder, in 1991. In 1998 he publicly disclosed his diagnosis and founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research in 2000.

The foundation has raised over $85 million for Parkinson's research and education. Much of its efforts focus on stem cell research. He also penned his first book, a memoir entitled "Lucky Man," in 2002.

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This Cause

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Nice. Truly Inspirational!

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Comments

[Saijanai]

02:30 AM on 08/12/2011

You forgot David Lynch, Transcendental Meditation for at-risk youth, American Indians, Veterans with PTSD, homeless, etc. http://www.davidlynchfoundation.org

[Michael Gacillos OHair]

01:59 AM on 08/09/2011

Interesting. Celebrities stand for causes that affect them directly.

But that's not charity. That's self interest.

If I smoked cigarettes since age 17 and at age 30 developed lung cancer because of it, would I be a staunch advocate for the cure for cancer? Probably.

It's nice to see people lauded for their involvement in raising awareness for important issues, but for each famous face there are hundreds of other people doing the exact same thing or more. People who don't own large stakes in multinational corporations or star in films and television shows.

[Edward Celidonia]

07:18 PM on 08/06/2011

another fine Huffington journalist-------do you think Jerry Lewis might have done a little for MD ?

[katie1100]

09:50 PM on 08/06/2011

OR..how about Mary Tyler Moore, like the frickin' Chairman, both she and her husband, who quit his job, to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation...duh! Type 1 diabetes is a horrible disease, has nothing to do with Type 2 diabetes, they..we have to inject ourselves
full of insulin 24 hours a day to stay alive. I think you forgot a few on this 'list'.

[comhunt00]

04:07 PM on 08/06/2011

This CREEP is one of the characters responsible for electing Clair McCaskel to the US Senate in 2006........The LIB MEDIA wanted to fight the election over stem cells.........Imagine that .....of all the issues they picked stem cells because they figured McCaskel could win if REAL issues were not discussed........So.....this Foxx guy gives a TV interview without his meds.......and starts shacking all over the place.......Rush called him a phony.......and the LIB MEDIA went after Caskel's opponent (Talent)........a few months later.......Foxx gets a new gig on TV.......NO SHACKING..........but.......the American people were stuck with a LOONY MORON in the Senate......... the LIB MEDIA won that one for the Dems.

[whatfreshhellisthis]

06:20 PM on 08/06/2011

Is Michael J. Fox the "creep" you are referring to? And when you say he was "shacking," do you mean that he was shaking? Yes, Rush, in one of his nastiest moments, said that Fox was deliberately shaking. The truth, which I believe Rush later admitted, was that Fox did not take his meds before the filming, not to "fake" something, but rather to demonstrate the horrible effects of Parkinson's for people who can't afford or don't have access to medication, and also to point out how much more research needs to be done on the prevention, treatment, and cure of Parkinson's. When he films for his show, Michael J. Fox takes his meds. He is using his own tragedy to inform and educate people about a dreadful disease. Rush is using his own particular "talents" to stir up people like you.

[kangarew73]

04:03 PM on 08/06/2011

It's all fine and good that Michael J Fox, the late Christopher Reeve, etc began supporting medical causes BUT it's totally self-serving! They're supporting the causes that affect them! Where were these people and what causes were they supporting BEFORE they became ill themselves??? They want tons of federal tax money thrown into the pot for research to cure THEM! Sorry, self serving people don't impress me!

[jjkrjw0]

03:16 PM on 08/06/2011

I don't doubt the sincerity of many of these celebs, but most don't get involved in these causes until they or someone in their family is diagnosed with a disease. Jerry Lewis may be the exception.

[WSAY]

04:02 PM on 08/06/2011

And that bothers you WHY?

[jjkrjw0]

01:28 AM on 08/08/2011

Because they live in la-la land until they are stricken with some disease. If you had Parkinson's, do you think Michael J. Fox would have cared about you until HE developed the disease himself?

[Dyson]

12:26 PM on 08/08/2011

Mandy Moore had malaria?
Bill Gates had Polio?
Who would have known?

[destin023]

02:48 PM on 08/06/2011

I generally abhor the typical Hollywood types with their detached political views but I'll rest my saber & applaud anyone contributing to the general welfare of others. Not their money but their time & effort is the highlight of anyone's contribution to society.

[expeditor97]

02:48 PM on 08/06/2011

want to know the number one Health Cause Celebrities Stand For? THE ONE THAT AFFECTS THEM OR THER LOVED ONES THE MOST.....PFTTTT

[isisreptiles]

02:21 PM on 08/06/2011

What I'd like to see celebrities taking on as a cause is the awareness of more of the "rare" diseases--the diseases that most people outside of the medical community have never heard of. Just because these diseases are "rare" doesn't mean that they cause any less suffering or disability than the more common diseases. And there is very little research done on these diseases. Those afflicted with one of these diseases doesn't consider their condition to be any less important than the common diseases, although it often feels like the rest of the world seems to see it that way.

[Mr Self Thinker]

02:01 PM on 08/06/2011

To everyone who has problems with auto immune diseases. Do your research and learn about LDN -Low Dose Naltrexone. It is easy to research, just goggle it. There is even info on You Tube. Remember LDN - Low Dose Naltrexone. I have MS, used to take an injectable that cost $3,500 a month. This is in the form of a pill and cost $20 a month. And this works better. It is a drug, so you have to get a prescription for it. Please check it out.

[stick4013]

04:11 PM on 08/06/2011

Thank you. I havent heard of that one before. Keep on smylien -Richard

[Mr Self Thinker]

02:54 AM on 08/08/2011

Richard, I have so much information that I could email you. Do you think it is safe to send you my email address or you send me yours. This post is now over 24 hours old, so probably no one is seeing it now. If you feel it is safe, send me yours and I will forward my information to you. Or you can find it easily on the web. Lots of good stuff on you tube too. There is so much proof out there.

It has been used for over 20 years world wide, but most people have never heard of it. My GP doc had never heard of it and he was written up as one of the top docs in Phoenix Magazine. Huge City,

My goal is to educate as many people as I can on this. It has given me my life back. I am so glad at least one person saw the post.

[horsegurl]

01:59 PM on 08/06/2011

I hope for a cure to Parkinsons h& Michael is healed soon ... A great talent

[chucki42]

03:38 PM on 08/06/2011

he can have an operation to take care of his tremors. it is called dbs(deep brain stimulation). i had it done and has increased my quality of life 10 fold. it is an operation and i think thats why he is shying away from it.

[ritrdoc]

01:10 PM on 08/06/2011

I can't argue that whenever someone famous adds support to some cause, good things happen; more donations, more research grants, more overall awareness. To think these illnesses didn't exist before is naive. I'm merely curious why these famous folks waited until they were affected personally before taking action? It is a legitimate question.

[gentswa]

01:33 PM on 08/06/2011

I think it's because the causes don't always occur to someone until they or someone they know gets sick. I never thought at all about Parkinson's until a neighbor got sick.

[jaconli]

12:57 PM on 08/06/2011

With many kids smoking cigarettes and using drugs, more younger and influential celebs should have discourage the use of drugs, alcohol and cigarettes instead of glorifying it in films and music.

[srbone]

12:46 PM on 08/06/2011

Big deal. Have you heard a 'celeb' speaking up for a condition that someone other than themselves or a family member has..?? Neither have I...

[Duckster75]

01:03 PM on 08/06/2011

What's wrong with that? Their personal experience gives them awareness and passion for a specific cause that they might not have otherwise. How many causes have you rallied for?

[ritrdoc]

01:11 PM on 08/06/2011

And with so many celebs being liberal, one must ask: where was their compassion before they were personally affected?

[Rodger Edwards]

01:13 PM on 08/06/2011

Yes, there are many. Bob Hope, Brooke Shields and there are many more. I understand and share your negative feelings but be fair and single out the selfish ones with the me;me personality.

[hattieli]

12:31 PM on 08/06/2011

Aren't they supposed to be human, how they make their living is just a job like mine i have never thought of the so called celebs to be anybody. they are no more and no less than i am.