Sandra Bullock’s long-time partner, Bryan Randall’s death, shook everyone to the core. On 5th August, Bryan Randall left his loved ones after a long battle with ALS. Randall’s death has again created awareness around the disease, even causing a 500% spike in ALS donations (via New York Post). However, he is not the only popular face who battled the disease. The clutches of this disease, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, gripped many famous personalities other than Randall in the past.

One such veteran, known for representing some of the best faces in Hollywood, led Renée Zellweger, Reese Witherspoon, and many other celebrities to take to the streets to demonstrate their support for the ALS association.

Back when A-listed celebrities took to the streets for ALS walks

Famous publicist Nanci Ryder, who represented A-listed Hollywood celebs like Blake Lively, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Michael J. Fox, also had ALS. Back in 2014, Academy Award winners, along with other known faces, went to a rally in support of the late publicist, reported by PEOPLE. Reese Witherspoon and Renée Zellweger, also represented by Ryder, wore T-shirts that read “Team Nanci”. 

Their demonstration was in the interest of breaking stereotypes attached to this disease. The Legally Blonde actress told PEOPLE “I am going to change the way that people see this disease.” The celebrities have attended many such walks after that, and are still actively involved in raising funds for the ALS association. 

Ryder was not just special to these two actresses. There were many other celebs who came forward to support her.

Team Nanci standing by ALS victims

Team Nanci is a group of film professionals who showed solidarity to raise funds for the ALS association after Ryder’s death. This group consisted of many celebs, including Friends star Courteney Cox, attending walks with signs like “Never Give Up,” “Ryder Rocks,” and “Icon”. This admiration owes to the late publicist’s constant effort of helping the ones suffering from this deadly disease post her diagnosis.

Aside from the ALS cause, she was also an activist in the Humane Animal Rescue Team and Revlon/UCLA Breast Center. Because of the disease, Ryder lost the ability to walk, speak or even feed herself and became physically impaired, but that did not vanquish her spirit. In her acceptance speech, the 2018 ALS Hero Award winner said, “The one thing that ALS can not and will not take away from me is Love.”

How do you look back at this moment that caused a stir for the awareness of ALS? Drop your views in the comments.