Managing Sports & Medical Conditions / Question
Published: April 21, 2004
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Is there any well known professional sports men or women who suffer with asthma.
Signed: Pro Athletes With Asthma
Dear Pro Athletes With Asthma,
Here is a list of some athletes that TeenHealthFX is aware of who suffer from asthma:
- Jerome "The Bus" Bettis (NFL star of the Pittsburgh Steelers)
- Amy Van Dyken (Olympic gold medalist in swimming)
- Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Olympic gold medalist in track and field)
- Nancy Hogshead (Olympic gold medalist in swimming)
- Art Monk (NFL leading receiver for the Washington Redskins until 1995)
- Greg Louganis (Olympic gold medalist in diving)
- Jim "Catfish" Hunter, (Baseball Hall of Famer)
- Isaiah Thomas, (former NBA basketball player)
- Dominique Wilkens, (former NBA basketball player)
- Dennis Rodman (former NBA basketball player)
- Mary Jo Fernandez, a top women's tennis professional in the 1990s
In fact Jerome Bettis has joined with, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Amy Van Dyken, in forming the Asthma All-Stars Program (AASP). It features the three athletes, who overcame their own challenges with asthma by working with their doctors and following an asthma action plan every day, even when they're not having symptoms. The Asthma All-Stars program offers people information about how to better manage their asthma, help prevent symptoms and reduce the health and lifestyle limitations often caused by the disease. If you or someone you know has asthma, and would like a free information pack, you can call toll-free, 1-877-4ALLSTAR (1-877-425-5782).
You can also find information on our website by clicking on Basketball Player Who Needs Help Getting In Shape With Asthma. Another good resource is AsthmaActionAmerica.org - this website also had an extensive list of supporting organizations that deal with asthma.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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