NPR talk show host Diane Rehm raises a glass to celebrate Laura Hillenbrand's courage and accomplishments at a July 28, 2003 event in her honor.

"Woman of the Year"

Laura Hillenbrand has used her celebrity as the best-selling author of “Seabiscuit: An American Legend” to raise awareness about CFIDS. She became ill suddenly in 1987 with what she thought was food poisoning and was later diagnosed as CFIDS. In hundreds of media interviews she has shared a compelling account of the devastating impact CFIDS has had on her life. A July issue of The New Yorker magazine provides perhaps the finest description yet of living with CFIDS. Laura was honored on July 28 at a special screening of the acclaimed film “Seabiscuit” held as a benefit for The CFIDS Association of America.

This month, Laura is being honored by three major magazines. She has been selected as “Woman of the Year” by Vogue, Gentleman’s Quarterly (GQ) and Glamour. The December issues of these magazines will feature their honorees; most can be found on newsstands in early November. The Vogue layout will include a photograph of Laura taken by renowned photographer Annie Liebovitz, a great honor in itself.

We are grateful to Laura for all that she has done to deepen understanding about the serious and complex nature of CFIDS and the staggering difficulties of living with a poorly recognized condition. She has given hope to many, many people who share her diagnosis.