Céline Dion - Two million dollars against her illness
Canadian singer Céline Dion (56) donated two million US dollars (roughly 1.9 Mio. Euro) for the treatment of Stiff-Person-Syndrome (SPS) at the Anschutz Medical Campus of the University of Colorado. The money goes to Dr. Amanda Piquet, who researches the rare disease that Céline Dion suffers from.
"I feel incredibly honored to receive this recognition to advance this field," said Dr. Piquet to CBC News. "The disease is little known and difficult to diagnose."
"Diagnostic Odyssey" for Stiff-Person-Syndrome Patients
"Stiff-Person Syndrome is a progressive neurological autoimmune disease characterized by muscle cramps and rigidity," explained the doctor. "Patients often go through a diagnostic odyssey, which can take years before a diagnosis is made," she told the TV station.
On average, it takes seven years for a person to be diagnosed with SPS. For Céline Dion, this diagnostic journey lasted over a decade before she met Dr. Amanda Piquet two years ago. "She stumbled upon us, and it was a wonderful relationship, and we really worked hard with her to treat symptoms and put her on a good treatment path," said the doctor about her famous patient.
She uses a combination of various treatments for SPS, from immunotherapies to massages. For Céline Dion, a vocal therapy was added.
Amazon Doc as Awareness Campaign
Céline Dion is not only involved in the fight against Stiff-Person-Syndrome through donations. She sees the documentary "I Am: Céline Dion" as a means to raise awareness about her little-known disease. The documentary, which just came out on Amazon, provides an unsparing look into Dion's life with SPS. A muscle spasm attack is shown in full length, during which the singer lies writhing on the floor for nearly ten minutes.
The donation of two million US dollars from Céline Dion will significantly aid the exploratory research on Stiff-Person-Syndrome at the University of Colorado's Hospital. Dr. Amanda Piquet, the recipient of the donation, emphasized the difficulty in diagnosing and understanding this rare illness.
Despite being a well-known figure, Céline Dion encountered a prolonged diagnostic odyssey for Stiff-Person-Syndrome, a journey that typically spans seven years for most patients. The University of Colorado's Hospital serves as a beacon of hope for patients undergoing such a diagnostic journey.
In addition to her financial contribution, Céline Dion utilizes her celebrity status to raise awareness about Stiff-Person-Syndrome. The recent release of the Amazon documentary "I Am: Céline Dion" offers a raw glimpse into her personal experience with the condition.
