Gillian Anderson is a much loved stage, television and film actress who skyrocketed to American fame in the 1990s. She perhaps best known for her roles in TV shows including ‘The X-Files,’ and ‘Hannibal,’ but this sci-fi leading lady has also been recognized for her extensive charity works. Anderson is an active member of PETA, has worked with Amnesty International campaigns for women, and co-founded the charity SA-YES, which is dedicated to youth mentoring programs in South Africa. She has worked with family violence, MS, and many children’s charities as well.
In addition, Gillian Anderson is a honorary spokesperson for the Neurofibromatosis Network, also known as NF, Inc., as well as the UK-based advocacy organization, Children With Tumors. As an active member of the NF support community, Anderson has headed fundraising campaigns, made many public appearances on behalf of the organization, and has addressed congress to push for more education and funding for NF-related research.
The disorder hits extremely close to home for the talented actress. Her younger brother was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 as a toddler and passed away from the condition in 2011. Anderson has been quite candid about his life and death in interviews, and has spoken about her relationship with the NF community with press and fans.
Putting a famous face to a disease can have enormous consequences for public awareness of a condition. Are you a member of the NF community who has worked with Gillian Anderson? Do you think a celebrity spokesperson has benefitted this rare disease community? Let us know in the comments below!
For more information on Gillian’s charitable work, please visit her official website at:
https://www.gilliananderson.ws/
Or this fabulous interview with Gillian Anderson previously appearing on the Global Genes Project website:
https://globalgenes.org/gillian-anderson-for-the-global-genes-projc/
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