RARE On the Red Carpet: Celine Dion Pitches in for Cystic Fibrosis

Celine Dion is a Canadian singer loved internationally for her sentimental and larger-than-life pop ballads. Often regarded as one of pop music’s most influential voices, Dion is perhaps best known for her signature song, My Heart Will Go On, which was the theme to 1997’s blockbuster film, Titanic.

Far from a stereotypical pop diva, Céline Dion has devoted much of her professional success to helping others. While active in many charitable organizations, most notable has been Dion’s involvement in the cystic fibrosis  (CF) community in Canada. Cystic fibrosis is a rare genetic disorder associated with chronic infection and serious respiratory and digestive symptoms. The condition is incurable and can often be life-limiting. As a Cystic Fibrosis Canada Celebrity Patron, Dion has been committed to the fight against cystic fibrosis for more than three decades.

As a long time champion of this rare disease cause, Dion has been closely involved in many campaigns run by Cystic Fibrosis Canada. Most recently, Dion has been a vocal advocate for CF newborn screening. Through service announcements and publicized appearances, she encouraged fellow Canadians to urge legislators to support CF newborn screening. Her efforts contributed to the adoption of cystic fibrosis newborn screening in Newfoundland and Labrador, and her involvement in the CF community is widely celebrated.

In addition to public advocacy efforts for the CF cause, Dion has personally donated significant funds towards CF research and awareness. As early as 1983 she began giving benefit concerts and galas supporting many international cystic fibrosis charities. In 2006, for example, Dion hosted a private golf tournament after which she donated $500,000 to support the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Céline Dion’s involvement in the CF community was inspired by a real-life tragedy. Her niece, Karine, lost her fight against cystic fibrosis in 1993. She was only 16.

For more information about Céline Dion and cystic fibrosis, please check out her website (www.celinedion.com) and Cystic Fibrosis Canada (www.cysticfibrosis.ca).