Letter to the Editor
As Published in The Los Angeles Times
Celebrity Charity Circuit Undercuts the Neediest
January 11, 2004
Re: "It Pays to Be a Star on Charity Circuit," Dec. 8:
The practice whereby celebrities expect generous paydays for charity appearances
demonstrates how underfunded illnesses become victims of discrimination.
I thought the idea behind a charity fundraiser was to help those needing
assistance, unable to get sufficient resources through regular channels, to get
funding and media recognition through celebrity-endorsed events. In placing a
big price tag on these fundraisers, you essentially eliminate the most needy and
underfunded causes. The already rich disease organizations get richer, and the
poor and lesser-known diseases are cast aside.
One such example of discrimination is the condition known as hydrocephalus.
Today, it remains the leading neurological condition among children and affects
teens, adults and many seniors. Many with hydrocephalus
live outside of mainstream society, and outside the financial reaches of
celebrity endorsements and media recognition. After more than 50 years of
treatment for hydrocephalus, it remains one of the most underfunded and
unrecognized disabling conditions in the U.S. This recent revelation of
celebrity appearance practices only adds salt to our wounds.
Stephen Dolle
Newport Beach
If you want
other stories on this topic, search the Archives at latimes.com/archives.