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 Look at all the people with asthma who have succeeded in whatever they do despite the challenges - and the list could include you!
Join the Asthma All-Stars! Click here to download our Asthma All-Star Profile submission form.
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Young People Like Us |
Olympic Athletes |
Sports Stars |
Celebrities |
Musicians |
Politicians and Civic Leaders
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 Natalia Festa (Click Here to Hear Natalia's Story)
Diagnosed with asthma at age 11, Natalia finished 8th in the 50-yard backstroke and 12th in the 100-yard backstroke at the USS Junior and Senior National Championships. A college student, she currently competes for the Harvard swim team.
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 Lenny Klipper (Click Here to Hear Lenny's Story)
Diagnosed with asthma at age 8, Lenny doubles as a cycling competitor within the Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference and as a triathlon and marathon athlete.
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 Victoria Murgida
Hi, my name is Victoria and I was recently diagnosed with asthma. I am 12 years old. I have been playing basketball for six years and and this past year I have been having trouble breathing. I would get out of breath on the basketball court when I ran and sometimes wasn't able to breathe at all when I played sports in the summer. But, then my mom took me to Dr. Schaeffer and she gave me an inhaler to take before I would play sports. At first I was upset that I had asthma because I thought that I would have to give up the game I love (basketball). Basketball is my dream and I thought it was over. But then, Dr. Schaeffer explained to me that I can still play sports and become an athlete even though I have asthma. I just have to take my medicine and then I can go all the way with basketball. One day I hope to play Pro Basketball and be a role model for kids who have asthma. So get up and Breathe Easy Play Hard !!!
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 Max Miranda
My name is Max Miranda. I am 10 years old and I live in New York. I was diagnosed to have asthma two years ago. I attend elementary school and like to play basketball, baseball, and Tae Kwon Do. I really like to sing so my favorite activity is acting in some kind of performance or show. I take my asthma medicine every morning and evening. This allows me to perform without trouble. Personally, when I sing, I have to project my voice. Recently, I had a cold and I was in the play "Grease". I took some extra medicine that my doctor prescribed and I was able to sing my solo with the cold. Asthma didn't hold me back. After all, the show must go on.
I want to be an Asthma All-Star because I want to be a good role model for all those kids who think that being diagnosed with asthma is something that holds them back. I successfully performed in 5 performances in 3 days - with a cold! If I can do it, anybody can!
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 Curt Harnett, Olympic Cyclist
A Canadian cyclist who has asthma, Curt has competed in four Olympic Games, winning three medals.
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 Greg Louganis, Olympic Diver
An American diver best known for winning back-to-back Olympic titles, Greg child took up gymnastics as a child to mitigate his asthma. He is regarded as the greatest Olympic diver of all time.
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 Renn Critchlow, World Champion Kayaker
Though he has asthma and didn't even begin kayaking until he was 12, Renn qualified for the Canadian Olympic team at the1988 Olympics in Seoul and in 1991 he earned the title of World Champion kayaker.
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 Kristi Yamaguchi, Gold Medal Figure Skater
The 1992 Winter Olympics gold medalist in Albertville, France, Kristi was World Champion twice, in 1991 and 1992, and U.S. National Champion in 1992. Kristi just proved her prowess as a ballroom dancer as the most recent winner of the popular television show "Dancing with the Stars".
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 Bill Koch, Silver Medal Cross-Country Skier
Bill became the first world-class cross-country skier from the United States, and also the only American to win an Olympic skiing medal in the 1976 Olympics.
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 Dara Torres, Olympic Swimmer (Read Our Exclusive Interview With Dara Torres)
A nine-time Olympic medalist, Dara is the first American swimmer to have competed in five Olympics. At 41, she broke her own American record in the 50m freestyle, set when she was 15. Dara, who only recently discovered she has asthma, has come under scrutiny about how she swims faster now than she did ten years ago and performs better than athletes half her age. While critics question her asthma medication as a performance-enhancing drug, she continues to maintain that hard work and intense training have helped her continue unusual longevity in a sport known for its far shorter life span for world class competitors.
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 Peter Vanderkaay, Olympic Swimmer
Diagnosed with asthma at age 10, this Olympic freestyle swimmer says, "I never looked at asthma as something that would hold me back... you can do a lot of things with asthma. I'm living proof of that." He's got the gold to prove it: Peter won one in the 4x200m Freestyle relay at the 2004 Olympics in Australia. He will be representing the U.S. in the 200m freestyle, the 400m freestyle, the 1500m freestyle, and the 4x200m freestyle relay. Peter is also the former American record holder in the 400m freestyle.
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 Tom Dolan, Olympic Swimmer
Tom is an American swimmer who won gold and silver medals at the 2000 Summer Olympics and a gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics. He manages his exercise-induced asthma and 20% airway obstruction with a selection of Olympic-approved medications and an inhaler while meeting the challenges his asthma presents head-on with a winning attitude: "It's definitely helped me focus more, not only on swimming, but also in my life outside of swimming."
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 Kurt Grote, Olympic Swimmer
Kurt began swimming when he was 15-years-old -- after his doctor told him it would help with his asthma. In fact, many people on his 1996 and 2000 American Olympic swim teams (he won gold in a relay) had asthma: "It's because the humidity of the surface of the water is good for people with asthma. It strengthens your lungs and your heart and allows you to improve."
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 Grant Hackett, Olympic Swimmer
Considered one of the greatest distance swimmers in history, Grant, who is the captain of the Australian swimming team, has won a total of ten World Championship gold medals. He collected gold medals for the 1500 meters at both the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Summer Olympics. Recently diagnosed with asthma after a series of chest and sinus infections, Grant says he's relieved his condition was detected: "My sinuses are already so much better. I no longer have the feeling of not being able to get oxygen in."
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 Nancy Hogshead, Olympic Swimmer
Nancy won four medals in swimming at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, including three golds. When a bronchial spasm prevented her from winning a fifth medal, (she missed a bronze medal by 7/100th of a second), a physician discovered that she had asthma. She is the author of the book, Asthma and Exercise, and says her diagnosis with asthma was her first step toward living a healthier life. "Now that I know how to control my asthma, I don't have to miss out on a single day."
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 Libby Lenton Trickett, Olympic Swimmer
An Australian Olympic gold medalist and 50-meter freestyle world record holder, Libby discusses training for the '08 Olympics in Beijing - a city known to have smoggy, polluted air. "Recently I changed my asthma medication and we have been talking about doing some hypoxic training to strengthen my lungs. I'm not 100 percent sure how it works yet but you put a mask over your mouth and nose and it simulates altitude of 2,000 feet."
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 Tom Malchow, Olympic Swimmer
An American swimmer and former 200m fly world record holder, Tom won gold at the 2000 Summer Olympics and silver at the 1996 Summer Olympics. He's had severe asthma since he was a teenager and strictly follows his doctor's treatment regimen. "I push myself to the limit every day. But I don't take chances with my health. When it comes to my asthma, I'm proud to say I play it safe."
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 Debbie Meyer, Olympic Swimmer
A former American swimmer, Debbie's optimistic attitude toward life and asthma, helped her win gold in the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle swimming events in the 1968 Summer Olympics. "Believe in yourself, not only in swimming, but in life itself. You always have to have fun. You have to have an open mind. If you're not enjoying it, don't do it. Life's too short."
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 Adrian Moorhouse, Olympic Swimmer
Adrian dominated British swimming in the late 80's, and won the 100m breaststroke gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. "Having asthma should not prevent you from leading a full and active life. With knowledge of my condition, the correct treatment and a desire to succeed, I became an Olympic champion!"
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 Kaitlin Sandeno, Olympic Swimmer
A four-time American swimming medalist, Kaitlin urges people with asthma to work with their physicians to find a treatment plan that works for them. "People don't have to live with these symptoms. Sometimes, I don't even realize I have asthma. I'm healthy, my asthma is under control and I can do all the activities I want."
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 Jessicah Schipper, Olympic Swimmer
Australian Jessica successfully manages her asthma everyday and consistently competes at the top of her game. She's considered to be the best female butterfly swimmer in the world and is currently the world record holder in the 200m butterfly. "When I was born, I was diagnosed with chronic asthma. My doctor suggested taking up swimming to strengthen my lungs and I've been doing that since before I could walk."
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 Mark Spitz, Greatest Olympic Swimmer Ever
Mark is generally considered the greatest American Olympic swimmer in history, Winner of nine Olympic gold medals (11 medals in total), Mark set the all-time record for most gold medals won in a single Olympic Games (seven), which he set at the 1972 Summer Olympics. In 2000, Mark was voted "Athlete of the Century" in water sports and one of the six greatest Olympians ever by Sports Illustrated.
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 Amy Van Dyken, Olympic Swimmer
A six-time gold medalist, Amy was the first American woman ever to win gold (in 1996). Diagnosed with severe asthma at 18 months of age, she began swimming on the advice of a doctor as a way to strengthen her lungs. Of her asthma, Amy says, "I've never thought of it as an obstacle...it's actually made me stronger. A lot of people didn't think I'd make it to the Olympics. Being the stubborn person I am, I wanted to show them I could. Six golds in two Olympics - that's not bad for someone who wasn't supposed to be able to swim well!"
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 Mary Jo Fernandez, Olympic and Professional Tennis Player
A two-time Olympic gold medal winner, winner of two Grand Slam women's doubles titles and runner-up in three Grand Slam singles tournaments, Mary Jo became one of the top-ranked players in the world, retiring in 1998.
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 Justine Henin, Number 1 Tennis Player in the World
Justine recently retired as the #1-ranked female tennis player in the world. She has won more than 40 singles titles including seven Grand Slam wins (in the French Open, Australian Open and U.S. Open). She was recently diagnosed and followed a treatment plan to keep her asthma under control.
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 Charmaine Crooks, Track and Field Olympian
Five-time Olympian and silver medalist, Charmaine became the first Canadian woman to run 800 meters in under two minutes in the mid-80s.
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 Sharon Donnelly, Triathlete
A winner of three championships as Canada's top female triathlete (swimming, cycling and running) and a competitor at the first Olympic triathlon during the 2000 Summer Olympics, Sharon feels strongly about kids who have asthma playing sports: "Give them medication and push them out the door. [They have to be] supervised and knowledgeable about their asthma, of course, and on the road to being able to supervise themselves, but not [letting kids play sports] is the biggest mistake."
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 Haile Gebrselassie, Men's Marathon World Record Holder
Widely considered one of the greatest distance runners in history, Ethiopian Haile has broken 25 world records and won many World Championship and Olympic titles.
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 Emma Snowsill, Track & Field Tri-athlete
Considered one of the pre-eminent female tri-athletes of her time, Emma has won three World Titles, establishing her as the most successful woman in International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championship history. Emma, who was recently diagnosed with asthma, is confident about her ability to compete in Beijing. "I feel like I'm back on a level playing field with everyone else," she says. "I've got my treatment planned and programmed."
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 Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Track & Field Olympian
A six-time Olympic medalist, Jackie is generally considered the all-time greatest heptathlon athlete (seven track and field athletics-combined events) and one of the best long jumpers ever. Diagnosed with asthma at age 18, Jackie says following her doctor's health plans improved her athleticism and life dramatically. "I never looked at asthma as being a handicap...I wasn't going to allow asthma to get the best of me."
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 Paula Radcliffe, Women's Marathon World Record Holder
A world-class long distance runner, Paula holds 10 world records. She controls her health by using a preventative inhaler first thing in the morning and before she goes to bed at night, and a reliever inhaler before exercising. "If you learn to manage your asthma and take the correct medication, there's no reason why you shouldn't be the best."
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 Alberto Salazar, Marathon Runner
A marathon runner with asthma, Alberto is best known for his performances in the New York City Marathons in the early 1980s and his American track records, and he continued to run even when he'd lost 45 to 50 percent of his lung function. "I didn't know I had asthma until the early 90's, when I was wheezing on easy runs at 7:30 pace. Basically, my oxygen supply was being cut off... Most world-class runners have 120 percent of a normal person's lung function. I'm at only 80 percent of normal."
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 Jim "Catfish" Hunter, MLB Starting Pitcher
A Major League Baseball starting pitcher from 1965-1979, Jim was the highest paid pitcher in baseball when he signed with the Yankees in 1975. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987.
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 Ashley Battle, WNBA New York Liberty Player
Diagnosed with asthma as a child, Ashley's treatment regimen consists of taking medication 30 minutes prior to games and exercise. On playing sports with asthma, Ashley says, "Asthma...can be controlled if you are first aware, and you take the necessary precautions to prevent having an attack. Good luck with asthma, if I can overcome asthma so can you."
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 Tamika Catchings, WNBA Indiana Fever Player
Diagnosed with asthma in grade school, the Fever forward uses her inhaler before games to keep her condition under control. She says that it's because of this regimen that "I don't get to the point where I'm tired by the end of the second quarter."
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 Juwan Howard, NBA Dallas Mavericks Player
A professional NBA basketball player with asthma who, in 2007, met with a 13-year-old basketball player (who also has asthma) in an effort to spread awareness that asthma and athletics can go hand-in-hand.
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 Dennis Rodman, Former NBA Player
A professional basketball player best known for his defensive and rebounding ability and his controversial behavior both on and off the court, Dennis was the first NBA player in history to win five championships with two different teams (Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls).
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 Dominique Wilkins, Former NBA Player
A Basketball Hall of Famer, Dominique, dubbed "The Human Highlight Film" is one of the most prolific scorers and best dunkers in NBA history. He's been quoted as saying, "Asthma is not a deterrent to playing sports."
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 Jan Ullrich, Tour de France winner
In 1997, Jan was the first German to win the Tour de France and says he controls his asthma with sprays and pills, and cortisone when it's really bad. Jan also won Olympic Gold in 2000 for cycling.
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 Donnell Bennett, NFL Fullback
Currently a player for the Washington Redskins, Donnell has asthma and is a top-level competitor.
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 Jerome "The Bus" Bettis, Former NFL Halfback
Diagnosed with asthma when he was 14, the former long-time halfback on a Super Bowl Pittsburgh Steeler team has a championship attitude towards his chronic condition: "I look at my asthma like the team I'm going to play against on Sunday. I train and I prepare to win."
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 Makoa Freitas, NFL Indianapolis Colts Player
An offensive tackle, Makoa was diagnosed with asthma when he was six years old after having breathing problems playing soccer. He's managed it ever since with medication and inhalers, and believes the key to playing sports with asthma successfully is education: "If we can educate people...they'll be able to do what they love, to just play sports."
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 James Arthur "Art" Monk, Former NFL Player
Considered one of the best wide receivers of all time, Art played for the Washington Redskins from 1980-1993, the New York Jets in 1994 and Philadelphia Eagles in 1995.
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 Emmitt Smith, Former NFL Player
A three-time Super Bowl champion and the NFL's all-time rushing leader, Emmitt played for the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals. He's also the winner of the 2006 "Dancing with the Stars" reality TV competition.
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 Blair Betts, NHL New York Rangers Player
A Rangers center, Blair first recalls developing asthma symptoms around age 10 or 11. Though his main triggers are chest colds and exercise, his chronic condition has not prevented him from becoming a solid pro hockey player.
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 Ryan Hollweg, NHL New York Rangers Player
Though Ryan has had asthma since he was five years old, it hasn't stopped him from turning his lifelong dream of becoming a professional hockey player into a reality.. Ryan, who doesn't let his asthma stop him from playing, prevents his symptoms by using an inhaler before games. "Asthma should not stop you from doing what you want to do," he says.
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 Gary Roberts, NHL Pittsburgh Penguins Player
Diagnosed with asthma when he was five years old, Gary credits exercise with his ability to manage his condition. "When I was 12, I nearly had to take a year off playing hockey because my asthma was really bad, but I started to focus on total health and decided that I would control my asthma before it controlled me." He now follows a regimen of taking medication in the morning and at night, and takes two puffs of his inhaler 10 minutes before games.
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 Paul Scholes, Manchester United Football [Soccer] Player
Named one of the best midfielders of his generation, Paul was diagnosed with asthma at 21 and uses a preventative inhaler daily, and a reliever inhaler before training and matches. "I always loved sport, especially football, when I was growing up and the important thing is that there are no restrictions. Just because you have asthma it doesn't mean you have to give up what you love doing."
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 Alison Streeter, Swimmer
Referred to as "Queen of the English Channel", Alison swam the arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates Britain from Northern France more times than anyone else in the world. As a child she suffered from severe asthma and a doctor suggested that exercise might help alleviate the symptoms. Her parents enrolled her in her local swimming club and the rest is history!
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 Jason Alexander, Actor
A television, cinema and musical theater actor, Jason is best known for his role as George Costanza on the hit television series, Seinfeld.
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 Bob Hope, Actor & Comedian
A renowned entertainer who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, radio, television, and in movies, he lived to be 100 years old.
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 Robert Joffrey, Dancer, Choreographer, Teacher, Ballet Director
Best known for forming the internationally famed Joffrey Ballet, Robert took up dancing as a child because his doctor believed the breathing techniques taught in class would help him control his asthma symptoms.
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 Diane Keaton, Actress
An award-winning actress, director and producer, Diane discovered she had asthma in adulthood. It apparently has not stopped her from leading an active life.
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 Lindsey Lohan, Actress
An actress and pop singer, Lindsey, who's had asthma since childhood, has starred in many popular films, as well as released two albums. After a severe asthma attack in 2006, Lindsey had the word "Breathe" tattooed on her arm: "The attack was a big deal, so I wanted to commemorate it on my body as a reminder."
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 Christopher Reeve, Actor
Best known for his role as Superman, Christopher, who was diagnosed with asthma as a child, worked as an actor, director, producer and writer until he was paralyzed in 1995 in an accident during an equestrian competition. Becoming a wheelchair user, he spent the duration of his life, until October 10, 2004, as a lobbyist for human embryonic stem cell research.
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 Star Jones, Talk-Show Host, Lawyer
A former co-host of ABC's "The View", Star is a lawyer who now hosts her own law and pop culture talk show on Court TV. Once so heavy that it exacerbated her asthma to the point she couldn't walk two blocks without taking puffs of her inhaler, she's since shed the pounds and now breathes much easier.
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 Martin Scorsese, Academy Award-Winning Film Director
An award-winning film director, writer and producer, Martin, who's had asthma since childhood, is considered to be one of the most influential and noteworthy filmmakers of his era. "As a kid, I had terrible asthma...so films were a place of refuge," he says.
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 Paul Sorvino, Actor
An Italian-American actor who also started the Sorvino Asthma Foundation, Paul had severe asthma until he learned a yoga breathing technique that helped him manage his condition. Now Paul says, "I am essentially asthma-free, and I'm very athletic; I've won tournaments in tennis."
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 Sharon Stone, Actress
An award-winning actress, producer and former fashion model, Sharon gained international acclaim for her role as "Catherine Tramell" in the blockbuster film Basic Instinct (1992).
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 Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer, Virtuoso Pianist
Beethoven, an important figure in the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western classical music, definitely triumphed over his asthma. He remains one of the most respected and influential musicians of all time.
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 Coolio, Rapper & Actor
Grammy-Award winning rapper and actor Coolio's knowledge about asthma helps him manage his condition. "I've had my asthma under control for the last eight years with no emergency or hospital visits, just regular checkups. I work out, I run around on stage, play basketball, swim, snowboard. I do everything."
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 Alice Cooper, Singer, Songwriter
A legendary shock rocker whose career spans five decades, Alice moved with his family from Detroit to Arizona when he was three years old to counteract his asthma symptoms.
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 Jonathan Davis, Singer
Lead singer of nu metal genre band Korn, Jonathan was diagnosed with asthma as a child but over the years his condition has greatly improved: "It's gotten so much better. I've pretty much outgrown it."
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 Kenny G, Saxophonist Extraordinaire
Kenny G has asthma but breathes easy when he plays: his main instrument is the soprano saxophone but he also plays the alto and tenor saxophone, and the flute on occasion
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 Billy Joel, Singer, Pianist, Songwriter, Composer
Billy, a six-time Grammy Award winner, is one of the most prolific and best-selling recording artists in the United States.
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 Wynonna Judd, Singer
Country music singer Wynonna, who's had asthma since she was 12-years-old, advises people not to rely solely on inhalers and says it's important to follow the treatment plans laid out by doctors. She says, "I try to help other people understand that ending up in the hospital because of an asthma attack is not necessary anymore. There are drugs available, which can be taken on a daily basis, that allow you to move and groove to life."
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 Liza Minnelli, Singer, Actress
Liza, who won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Cabaret, began her professional career at age 17 when she performed Off-Broadway. By the time she was 19-years-old, she won a Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway show, Flora the Red Menace.
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 Pink, Singer
A sassy singer-songwriter who gained prominence in 2000, Pink developed asthma when she was a child. Her doctor suggested she take vocal lessons to learn to breathe from her lower abdomen instead of her chest while belting tunes a technique that helped her manage her asthma when performing.
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 Antonio Vivaldi, Prodigy Violinist, Baroque Music Composer, Venetian Priest
Antonio never let asthma - which he described as "tightening of the chest" - stand in his way. He successfully played the violin, composed and enjoyed many beloved activities.
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 Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States
An avid runner and passionate about playing the saxophone, former President Clinton never appeared to let his asthma prevent him from partaking in key political or leisure activities.
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 Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States
President Coolidge said his asthma affected him seasonally and was exacerbated by the straw matting in the Senate Chamber. The condition did not appear to slow him down or prevent him from effectively governing the United States.
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 Che Guevara, Political Figure & Revolutionary
An Argentine-born Marxist Revolutionary political figure and leader of Cuban and international guerrillas, Che became an icon of socialist revolutionary movements and a cultural icon worldwide after his death. Though he suffered from crippling bouts of asthma, he excelled as an athlete. Of Che's asthma, his brother has said, "His character and willpower allowed him to overcome it. Any task, no matter how daunting could be solved by dint of enthusiasm, revolutionary fervor and unbending determination."
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 John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States
Although he suffered from many illnesses and chronic conditions, including asthma, President Kennedy always appeared strong and rugged and enjoyed working out and playing sports with his family.
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 Walter Mondale, 42nd Vice President of the United States, Former Ambassador to Japan
Former Vice President Mondale served as a corporal in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and ran for President of the United States.
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 Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States
As a child, President Roosevelt managed his asthma by exercising. Once an adult, he continued exerting himself physically by ranching in the Badlands, driving cattle, hunting big game, exploring and even serving as lieutenant colonel in the Rough Rider Regiment during the Spanish-American War.
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 Woodrow Wilson, 28th President of the United States
For World War I President Wilson, asthma and athletics went together: He loved cycling and playing golf. During the winter months when he was in office, the Secret Service would paint golf balls black so he could hit and easily find them in the snow.
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*The people featured above may or may not endorse asthma awareness, but it's known that they have it.
You can become one of us, too!
Click here to download our Asthma All-Star Profile submission form.
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For information on exercise and playing sports with asthma click here.
For lots more information about "what is asthma" click here.
For smart tips for youth, parents and coaches, click here. |
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