The Scrubs star takes on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune to support Kawasaki disease research at Rady Children’s
Kawasaki disease research is a cause close to the heart of actress Sarah Chalke. In 2011, the Scrubs star’s son, Charlie, developed a full body rash, persistent fever, aching joints, red lips, vomiting and dehydration. After a slew of misdiagnoses, physicians discovered the then-15 month-old had Kawasaki disease, a rare condition that causes inflammation of the blood vessels. He was successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin, and remains healthy today.
The experience led Chalke to become an advocate for awareness and early recognition of the disease. She even helped bring the condition into the spotlight through a 2013 episode of Grey’s Anatomy, using the storyline to help other families recognize the signs and seek care quickly.
This summer, she took her advocacy to the small screen again, appearing as a contestant on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. She used her puzzle solving prowess to earn prize money to support Kawasaki disease care and research at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, in addition to the hundreds of thousands of dollars she has helped raise alongside the Kawasaki Disease Foundation.
SHE EVEN HELPED BRING THE CONDITION INTO THE SPOTLIGHT THROUGH A 2013 EPISODE OF GREY’S ANATOMY, USING THE STORYLINE TO HELP OTHER FAMILIES RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS AND SEEK CARE QUICKLY.
A LEADING CENTER FOR KAWASAKI DISEASE CARE
Rady Children’s Kawasaki Disease Clinic is dedicated to caring for children diagnosed with the condition, and treats approximately 80 to 90 new patients each year. Families turn to Rady Children’s for expert diagnosis, treatment and long-term follow-up care.
Because Kawasaki disease can affect coronary arteries, ongoing monitoring is essential. Rady Children’s uses advanced, noninvasive imaging such as echocardiography and CT scans to carefully track each child’s heart health over time.
The clinic is led by internationally recognized physician Jane C. Burns, MD, the Gordon and Marilyn Macklin Foundation Endowed Chair in Kawasaki Disease Care and Research, in recognition of Brooke Dawn, KD survivor. Dr. Burns has dedicated her career to advancing understanding of Kawasaki disease. She works alongside a specialized team that includes Adriana Tremoulet, MD, MAS, associate director of the Kawasaki Disease Research Center, and Kirsten Dummer, MD, pediatric cardiologist, who are committed to providing comprehensive, compassionate care for every child and family.
ADVANCING RESEARCH TO HELP CHILDREN EVERYWHERE
Beyond patient care, Rady Children’s is at the forefront of research through the Kawasaki Disease Research Center, a collaboration with UC San Diego and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Together with partners around the world, researchers are working to better understand the causes of Kawasaki disease, how it affects children and how to develop more effective treatments.
This work spans clinical studies, laboratory research and population health investigations, all aimed at improving outcomes for kids today and in the future.
TUNED IN TO GIVE BACK
Together, these efforts are changing what Kawasaki disease looks like for families, from a frightening diagnosis to a condition that can be treated, managed and better understood over time.
For Sarah Chalke, that progress is what matters most. By sharing her family’s story and stepping onto the Celebrity Wheel of Fortune stage, she is helping other parents recognize the signs, seek care sooner and feel less alone in the moment they need support most. Every spin helps raise awareness and fuels the care and research that give children a healthier future.