“Laverne & Shirley” Star Plays New Role Actor Champions Multiple Sclerosis Awareness (NAPSA)—Actor David L. Lander, best known as Squiggy on the TV classic “Laverne & Shirley,” has taken on a new role. After hiding his multiple sclerosis (MS) for 15 years, Lander now shares his personal story with tens of thousands of others wholive with MS. “T try to get at least five laughs every time I talk to my fellow MSers,” joked Lander. “Usually, I am paired with a doctor who speaks about all the latest research and treatments. If the doctor gets more laughs than I do, then I know I’m in trouble.” In 2000, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society named Lander Ambassador of the Year for his efforts to raise awareness of the autoimmunedisease of the central nervous system. MS is a chronic, often debilitating disease that affects approximately 400,000 Americans, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40. Lander encourages others with MS to find out about treatments that are currently available. “MS is a progressive disease, so the sooner you get on treatment, the sooner you can work toward slowing down the progression of disability caused by MS,” explained Lander. Lander uses AVONEX (Interferon beta-la) to help control his MSsymptoms. “MS is a progressive disease, so the sooner you get on treat- ment, the sooner you can work toward slowing downthe progres- sion of disability caused by MS,’ explains actor David L. Lander. “MS is a long-term disease, so it’s important to choose a treatment that’s best for you for the long term and then stick with it,” Landersaid. Lander feels good enough to travel the country and sign countless copies of his book Fall Down Laughing: How Squiggy Caught Multiple Sclerosis and Didn’t Tell Nobody. To learn more about MSor Lander’s story, or to find out where Lander will be speaking, visit www.MSActiveSource.com. For full prescribing information on AVONEX, visit www.Avonex.com.
