New York Yankee Legend Raises Awareness For Disease That Took His Dad’s Life

We are shedding a spotlight on September being Pulmonary Fibrosis Month. I got to speak once again with 4-Time World Series Winner, 5-Time All-Star, Grammy-Nominated Artist, Billboard Best-Selling Act, New York Yankees Legend and World-Renowned Jazz Guitarist Bernie Williams. Accompanying Bernie was Scott Staszak, President and CEO of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF). Together, they discussed their campaign Tune In To Lung Health, and what PFF is doing through the month of September to raise money and awareness.

September is Pulmonary Fibrosis Month

Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that occurs when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred. This thickened, stiff tissue makes it harder for the lungs to work properly. Pulmonary fibrosis worsens over time. Some people can stay stable for a long time, but the condition gets worse faster in others.

This project hits close to home for Bernie Williams, whose life was forever changed after losing his father, Bernabe, in 2001 to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) – a common type of interstitial lung disease (ILD) – after years of battling.

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In 2017, Bernie became the national spokesperson for Breathless, and now currently Tune Into Lung Health, an educational awareness campaign for Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), a mysterious lung disease that took the life of Bernie’s father Bernabe Sr., and still has no cure. He has been touring the country visiting many cities, Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball ballparks, and speaking at major medical conferences to spread the word about the disease that affects up to 132,000 people and their families per year.

WATCH MY INTERVIEW WITH BERNIE WILLIAMS & SCOTT STASZAK BELOW👇

Disclaimer: If I knew they were going to join the video call with a full TV crew, proper lighting, and suits, I would've stepped up my Game on the visual end, as well 😂 

You can learn more about PFF at www.Pulmonaryfibrosis.org, on Twitter @PFFORG and on Facebook  and Instagram @Pulmonaryfibrosisorg. To follow Tune In To Lung Health, visit the website here.

Bernie Williams Performs at Millbrook Winery on Saturday, August 3rd

The last time we talked with Bernie Williams, he brought his talents to Millbrook Winery on Saturday, August 3rd. Bernie and I discuss his final season as a Yankee, his debut with the New York State Philharmonic, his partnership with Millbrook Winery, and his philanthropic work with organizations such as NAMM and Tune In To Lung Health.

WATCH MY INTERVIEW WITH BERNIE WILLIAMS BELOW; PLUS EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS FROM THE CONCERT 👇

Tune In To Lung Health

Research shows that music can help people cope with negative feelings and anxiety, which may occur in people living with ILD and can even affect loved ones and caregivers. Breathing exercises—similar to breathing techniques for singers—also can potentially help improve breathlessness, a common symptom of many types of ILD.

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A post shared by Bernie Williams (@berniewilliamsofficial)

Inspired by his personal experience as a musician and ILD caregiver, Bernie teamed up with celebrity vocal coach Eric Vetro to introduce Tune In To Lung Health^®, the next chapter in the Breathless^® story. The program is designed to raise awareness of ILD and show how music and breathing may help people cope with the mental, emotional, and physical burden of these rare lung conditions.

Scott Staszak

Scott Staszak is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF). Scott has worked in leadership roles for the PFF since 2011 and oversees the effective execution of the Business plan for the organization and manages the day-to-day functioning of the operating units – PFF Registry; Care Center Network; Corporate Business Development; Finance; Human Resources; and Information Technology. He also supports strategic planning for the Foundation.

Prior to joining the PFF, Scott worked at The Field Museum of Natural History for nearly ten years as the director of financial operations. Additionally, he taught a course in financial management within the master’s degree program for Arts Administration and Policy at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago.