Carol Burnett Commends Dr. Nancy Wexler for Her ‘Tireless’ Search to Find Huntington’s Disease Gene: ‘Someday They Will Find the Cure’

As a movie lover who appreciates not only the artistry on screen but also the hearts that beat behind it, I find Carol Burnett to be a true inspiration. Her life, much like her comedy, is a blend of laughter and depth, a testament to the power of compassion and perseverance.


On Thursday, Carol Burnett received an honor at the EbMaster’s Power of Women event, which was hosted by Lifetime. However, she expressed a desire to also bestow this recognition upon Dr. Nancy Wexler.

In her speech in LA, Burnett expressed that the honor rightfully belongs to someone else. She initially engaged with The Hereditary Disease Foundation years ago following a suggestion from Dr. Milton Wexler, who is Nancy’s father, in Los Angeles. Dr. Wexler founded the organization in 1968 after his wife Leonore was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease, making their daughters Alice and Nancy potential carriers of the condition too.

Nancy Wexler, along with her group of medical researchers, spent numerous years in Venezuela studying the delta strain to gain insights into Huntington’s disease, which she subsequently discussed.

Burnett stated that she was relentless in her pursuit to find the gene responsible for Huntington’s disease. In 1983, thanks to Nancy, the Foundation remarkably identified the gene for Huntington’s disease through clinical data provided by her. This groundbreaking discovery paved the way for a genetic test for Huntington’s and established the basis for all subsequent research into the disease.

Additionally, this work contributes significantly to research that directly tackles conditions similar to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s Disease, and Alzheimer’s, as she pointed out.

Over the past two decades, Burnett – a dedicated board member – praised the significant accomplishment. He went on to say, “Thanks to Nancy’s discovery of the gene, one day we will uncover the cure.

Prior to his performance, the renowned comedian and “Palm Royale” star, a comedy legend for many years, was introduced by Amy Poehler. In 2013, it was Poehler who bestowed upon him the Mark Twain Prize; three years after that, at the 2016 SAG Awards, both Poehler and Tina Fey presented him with a Life Achievement Award.

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2024-10-25 07:47