Following a Distinguished Five-Decade Baseball Career, Bernie Williams Transitions to Bat for Rare Disease Awareness Day
Bernie Williams, a renowned five-tool player for the Yankees, has continually impressed both on and off the field since calling it quits after the 2006 season. A Grammy-nominated musician, Williams performed the National Anthem prior to Derek Jeter's last big league game in 2014 and during his Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in 2021.
His musical talents, however, aren't his only passion. Post-retirement, Bernie has dedicated his time to increasing awareness and funding for interstitial lung diseases, like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which tragically took the life of his father, Bernabe Sr., in 2001.
Being an active part of Boehringer Ingelheim's Breathless campaign, Bernie often performs the Anthem at minor and major league parks around the country, working to highlight the importance of respiratory health. As a spokesperson for Rare Disease Day, he too advocates for resources to help those affected, many of whom are battling mysterious, underrepresented conditions.
During a recent interview, Bernie discussed the difficulties facing those with interstitial lung diseases. In his own words, "The resources have obviously become an issue. Giving (people) an opportunity to have the information they need to make educated decisions about their conditions... is really important."
His company, Tune In to Lung Health, in collaboration with vocal coach Eric Vetro, creates playlists and offers breathing tips for those who suffer from lung diseases. This program empowers patients with the knowledge and tools essential for improving their quality of life and understanding their health.
Tune In to Lung Health, a program devised by Williams and vocal coach Eric Vetro that offers playlists and breathing tips for those impacted by lung diseases.
"For people that have interstitial lung disease, every breath counts, and they never take it for granted," Bernie insisted. "Making people aware of the fact that there are all these rare diseases out there (that) people are obviously going through is really important."
Besides Boehringer Ingelheim's Breathless campaign, Tune In to Lung Health exists to build understanding, raise awareness, and propel change in the medical field and patients' lives. Bernie Williams' unyielding commitment to improving the lives of those living with interstitial lung diseases teaches us about persistence, empathy, and the power of community when overcoming challenges.
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Additional Insights
Bernie Williams' passion for interstitial lung diseases stems from his own personal experience with his father's struggle with the disease, vividly exemplifying the motivation behind his advocacy efforts.
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In an interview, Bernake Sr.'s daughter, Bernadine, shared that, "Bernie and I see our lives as intertwined with lipid pneumonia, a type of lung disease, and I think it's his mission to educate the world about it, especially in Hispanic communities where the diagnosis is not common as it should be."
Bernie's continued advocacy work paves the way for communities worldwide to come together in solidarity and support for those living with interstitial lung diseases, creating a lasting impact.
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- Bernie Williams, in his newsletter signup article, discussed the importance of funding for interstitial lung diseases, highlighting the need for educated resources to help patients make informed decisions.
- To raise awareness and funding, Bernie often performs the National Anthem at games through his involvement with Halfway Hardwall 1, an inline advertisement container placed at half-wall locations in sports venues.
- The Tune In to Lung Health program, a collaboration between Bernie and vocal coach Eric Vetro, offers a signup for a digital newsletter filled with playlists and breathing tips, aiming to educate and empower those affected by lung diseases.