Bernie Mac was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis, a disease that weakens the immune system, in 1983. Although the disease was difficult to live with at first, Mac never allowed it to interfere with his belief in himself or the pursuit of his dreams. For 25 years prior to his death in August 2008, Mac and his wife of 30 years, Rhonda, and daughter, Je’Niece, lived a rich, full life in many ways. He kept a strong work and family ethic while still being careful about his diet and exercise training. Mac worked with closely with a team of doctors, always following their direction and testing new treatments as they became available. He never gave in.
Bernie Mac believed that he could make a difference as far as a career for Sarcoidosis. In 2007, he started the Bernie Mac Foundation to not only be a “go to” source on the professional side but also an outlet for patients to learn and discuss the rigors of Sarcoidosis and to make the research findings more accessible to those less fortunate.
The Bernie Mac Foundation has focused on the international professional community to facilitate the issuing of grants and to organize key findings about Sarcoidosis. The foundation partners with the Respiratory Health Association, the American Lung Association, and the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research, and also links treating physicians and researchers to patients for ongoing studies. The foundation’s platform is to make sure that patients know about the latest scientific research and education about Sarcoidosis.
The Bernie Mac Foundation also focuses on children since Mac was a kid at heart himself and loved to spend time with children. He was always
known as “Uncle Bernie,” and to keep his memory alive, the foundation has implemented the Uncle Bernie’s Kid’s Program.
The Bernie Mac Foundation provides positive messages to youth within the Chicagoland area in an effort to build their self-esteem and
motivation to succeed. The program has recently started their school tour called “Growing Up Mac: From the Hood to Hollywood,” where Bernie’s daughter,Je’Niece, speaks to students about how it was growing up with Bernie Mac as a dad and watching him work to achieve stardom. The program also hopes to launch a citywide softball league.
To learn more about the Bernie Mac Foundation and Sarcoidosis, please visit http://www.berniemacfoundation.org
