Sharon Lam
Bernie Williams, a name synonymous with the New York Yankees’ golden era, transcended the diamond with his extraordinary musical talent and profound commitment to making a difference off the field. The accomplished former center fielder, who played a pivotal role in the Yankees’ four World Series victories during the late 1990s, seamlessly transitioned from the exhilarating roar of the stadium to the silent battles fought against a lesser-known adversary – idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Beyond the iconic pinstripes, Williams emerged as a dedicated advocate for IPF research, using his platform to raise awareness in an unwavering pursuit to improve the lives of those affected by this debilitating lung disease.
How It Started
Mr. Williams has become an outstanding advocate for the awareness of ILD and IPF ever since his father passed away in 2001. Mr. Williams said he owes a lot to his dad, who taught him how to play music and baseball. 2024 marks the seventh year of the Breathless campaign that has evolved into “Tune In To Lung Health,” which utilizes music as a coping mechanism for Interstitial Lung Disease.
What is IPF?
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis falls under ILD, or interstitial lung disease, and is the scarring of lung tissue, which makes it difficult to breathe. It’s a progressive condition with no known cure currently. Because some symptoms can be misinterpreted, diagnoses are difficult.
How to Get Involved and Tune In To Lung Health’s Future
Bernie will continue to raise awareness throughout 2024. You can keep updated with the organization by going to www.tuneintolunghealth.com and following Bernie on Facebook and X. On the website, you can find further information about IPF and ILD, as well as music playlists curated by Bernie to help cope with the disease. The report includes commentary from patients and caregivers and breathing exercises from celebrity vocal coach Eric Vetro, who has worked with Ariana Grande, John Legend, and Katy Perry, to name a few.
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