In 1987, Dick Van Dyke lost his granddaughter, Jessica Van Dyke, to Reye’s Syndrome. Like so many others, Dick’s 
relatives and friends had never heard of Reye’s Syndrome prior to Jessica’s death. When Dick found out about the lack of general knowledge on this childhood killer, he pledged his full support in bringing the awareness of Reye’s Syndrome to the public by volunteering to become the Honorary National Chairman for the National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation.
He donated his time and services to create a series of television and radio commercials for the National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation to raise public awareness about Reye’s Syndrome and the danger aspirin posed to children. That same year, he became the official spokesperson for the National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation.
Dick Van Dyke Warns about Reye’s Syndrome
During that time, he also promoted Reye’s Syndrome awareness by appearing on the Phil Donahue Show and Hour Magazine co-hosted by Gary Collins. Dick participated in the Annual Jaime Beth Slavin Celebrity Golf Tournaments in support of NRSF’s Reye’s Syndrome research.
At the age of 86 he shows no signs of slowing down. This year, the Screen Actors Guild will award Dick its highest honor; The Life Achievement Award.
Screen Actors Guild & American Federation of Television and Radio Artists co-president Ken Howard called Van Dyke “an enormously talented performer whose work has crossed nearly every major category of entertainment.”
The 86-year-old entertainer will receive the honor at the annual Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony in January. His humanitarian work on behalf of the NRSF will be highlighted in a special segment.
Born December 13, 1925, in West Plains, Missouri, to Loren and Hazel Van Dyke, he grew up in Danville, Illinois. He is the father of Barry Van Dyke, and older brother of actor Jerry Van Dyke, who is best known for his role on the TV series Coach. His grandson, Shane Van Dyke, is also an actor and directed Titanic II. Dick’s career spans six decades.
Dick starred in the films Bye Bye Birdie, Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and in the TV series The Dick Van Dyke Show and Diagnosis: Murder. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard, and he has already won a Tony, a Grammy and five Emmy awards.
Dick will be presented the performers union’s most prestigious accolade, given annually to an actor who fosters the “finest ideals of the acting profession,” at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®, which premieres live on TNT and TBS on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013, at 8 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. CT, 6 p.m. MT and 5 p.m. PT. The work he has done with the NRSF will also be showcased.
Thanks for all you do, Dick! We’ll be cheering with you! Chim, Chim, Cherri!
Reye's Syndrome Awareness 