Crohn’s Disease:
- Dwight D. Eisenhower: The 34th president of the United States had surgery to remove part of his small intestine while in office in 1956 as a result of his Crohn’s Disease.
- Mike McCready: The lead guitarist for Pearl Jam was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of 21. He had a rocky road in the beginning, but with help from the band and taking part in a healthier lifestyle, he has been able to manage the disease. McCready is an advocate for people with IBD, and even hosts an annual benefit concert in Seattle, with the profits going to Crohn’s research.
- David Garrard: He is a former quarterback for the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2005 he underwent surgery to remove part of his intestines. Because of this he was able to continue his football career.
- Kevin Dineen: A famous National Hockey League player was diagnosed just after finishing his second season. With a healthy diet Dineen was able to play for 16 years. He is now an assistant coach in the league.
- Cynthia McFadden: An investigative journalist for NBC News and former anchor of ABC’s Primetime and Nightline news. She was diagnosed in college and had bowel resection surgery. Since then she has been able to keep the disease under control.
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Ulcerative Colitis:
- Shinzo Abe: The prime minister of Japan in 2006. He had to resign the year after because of his ulcerative colitis. However, in 2009 he started taking a new medication, and has been able to control the disease since. He even returned as prime minister in 2012.
Casey Abrams: An American Idol contestant ended up having to go to the hospital in 2011 during competition because of his UC. He eventually finished sixth in the contest, and now is a spokesperson for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.
Sunny Anderson: A celebrity chef has been living with Crohn’s for more than two decades. In 2014, she launched a website designed to educate those with inflammatory bowel disease.
Dan Reynolds: The lead singer of Imagine Dragons, announced on Twitter in 2018 that he’s had UC for a decade. Last year, he told fans that through diet and exercise, he has it largely under control.
Steven Redgrave: A British rower, won gold in five consecutive Olympics (1984-2000). UC symptoms endangered his run at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, but Steven says, “with the right medical treatment, I’ve been able to keep the illness under control and continue with my life, both in training during my career as a professional athlete and in my life beyond the boat.”
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