April 1, 2004

Actor David ‘Squiggy’ Lander named honorary chairperson for MS Walk

The Silicon Valley Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has named actor David L. Lander, best known for his role as “Squiggy” on the television sitcom “Laverne and Shirley,” as honorary chairperson for the upcoming 2004 Rainmaker MS Walk in San Jose. The walk, which takes place on Saturday, April 17, is the largest nationwide fundraiser hosted by the National MS Society. Last year participants from all 50 states raised over $39 million.

Lander is generously donating his name and fame to help a cause dear to his heart. In 1984, Lander himself was diagnosed with MS. Concerned that the stigma of having the disease would prevent him from working in Hollywood, he kept his diagnosis a secret for 15 years. “At the time of my diagnosis, the prevailing MS wisdom was, ‘You don’t beat it; you can’t even treat it,’ and ‘diagnose and adios.’” None of which gave him hope that casting agents would overlook his diagnosis.

Those 15 years were a struggle for Lander, not only in his extreme efforts to hide his condition, but to personally deal with the wide-ranging symptoms, frequent immobility, and unpredictable episodes that are the core of MS. “When I have flare-ups, my legs buckle and I fall down. I often have other symptoms: weakness that leads to drop foot, balance disorientation, and numbing of my hands and feet. Falling down happened so often that when I felt myself begin to lose my balance, I would yell, ‘Excuse me.’”

As the years passed, Lander began to realize that suffering quietly was becoming a great burden on his family, and being silent would not make the disease go away. In 1999, he decided enough was enough, and, with the support of his family, went public about his battle with MS. The public response was overwhelmingly supportive, and Lander found a new purpose in life. He teamed up with the National MS Society as a goodwill ambassador and began traveling the country speaking about his fight against MS. “I knew I could make a difference: people who live with MS are hungry to talk about their experiences and hear what others are going through.” Then in 2000, Lander penned “Fall Down Laughing: How Squiggy Caught Multiple Sclerosis and Didn’t Tell Nobody,” which chronicles his life story living with and hiding MS.

He is equally excited to share his experiences with the hundreds of participants, volunteers, diagnosed individuals, and their families on walk day. Medical treatment has changed dramatically since Lander’s diagnosis, and he is eager to let others know: “there has never been a better time to have MS. Most people who are diagnosed today have the option of several new immunological therapies… which can help reduce the frequency and severity of relapses and may help stall the progression of the disease.”

Clearly, the Silicon Valley Chapter could not ask for a more dedicated individual to serve as honorary chairperson for the 2004 Rainmaker MS Walk. Chapter President Carla Fredrica Hines is quick to assert, “David humanizes MS. He is a gem of a person, and really speaks from the heart when he talks about what he’s been through. People can relate to him, and understand just how devastating this disease can be—that, and he’s hilariously funny!”

David will speak during the opening ceremonies of the walk before participants begin the 10K trek along Los Gatos Creek Trail. He also will host a booth during the post-walk party in front of Los Gatos High School.

For more information on MS or the 2004 Rainmaker MS Walk, call 1-800-FIGHT-MS or visit www.nationalmssociety.org/cau.