The Canadian music legend has donated $2 million to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus to support groundbreaking research on stiff person syndrome (SPS).
- Jun 28, 2024
AceShowbiz - Celine Dion, the beloved Canadian songstress, has pledged a significant donation of $2 million to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus to advance research into stiff person syndrome (SPS), a rare neurological disorder that she was diagnosed with in December 2022.
Dr. Amanda Piquet, an Associate Professor of Neurology and Director of Autoimmune Neurology at CU Anschutz, is treating Dion for SPS. Dr. Piquet described SPS as a progressive disorder characterized by muscle spasms and stiffness, and noted that it can take years to diagnose, with an average timeframe of seven years.
The donation will support the newly endowed Celine Dion Foundation Endowed Chair in Autoimmune Neurology, enabling Dr. Piquet and her team to expand their research efforts on SPS and other rare autoimmune neurological disorders. Additionally, the funds will be used to expand CU Anschutz's autoimmune neurologic disease registry and biorepository, providing valuable data for developing more effective treatments.
Dr. Piquet praised the donation, stating, "This is the start of a very bright future for those with the disease." She added that the gift marks a significant step forward in understanding SPS and other autoimmune neurological disorders.
Dion has been open about her journey with SPS, sharing footage of a 10-minute seizure she suffered in her new documentary, "I Am: Celine Dion". She has also praised Dr. Piquet's expertise, crediting her with replacing her fear with hope.
The singer's donation reflects her commitment to finding a cure for SPS and improving the lives of those affected by the condition. The funds will enable researchers to conduct more large-scale studies, identify symptoms faster, and develop more effective therapies for this devastating disease.
