Mary Tyler Moore is an American actress most known for her roles in the Dick Van Dyke Show and the Mary Tyler Moore Show.
She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes aged 33, around the time that The Mary Tyler Moore Show first started.
She was nominated for a staggering 14 Primetime Emmy Awards during her career, winning five times. An Academy Award nomination also came her way in 1980 for her role in Ordinary People.
Living with type 1 diabetes
In an interview with USA Today, Moore said: “When the doctor said I had diabetes, I conjured images of languishing on a chaise longue nibbling chocolates. I have no idea why I thought this.”
After learning about insulin syringes and blood sugar levels, she learnt to keep a loaded syringe in her pocket at all times.
She has acknowledged that in her younger years, she not was vigilant with her diabetes management, but taking control in adulthood, and overcoming alcoholism, helped her grow up.
Moore is the International Chairman of the JDRF, a role she has used to raise awareness and funding for research into curing type 1 diabetes.
In 2009, Moore testified before Congress to request an increase in funding for diabetes research, with her public profile playing a key role in increasing JDRF’s financial commitment to research.
In the same year, she wrote a book called Growing Up Again: Life, Loves and Oh Yeah, Diabetes, which focused on her life with type 1 diabetes.
Diabetes recognition
In 2007, the “Forever Moore” research initiative was set up by the JDRF to translate basic research advances so new treatments and technologies can be created for people with type 1 diabetes.
She was also 2012’s recipient of the Screen Actors Guild’s Life Achievement Award for her work in creating “a new paradigm for female leads in television”.
Current health
In 2011, Moore underwent elective brain surgery to remove meningioma, a benign train tumour.
Her health has reportedly declined since, and she had to give up horseback riding and ballet due to her problems with sight.
Former co-star Dick Van Dyke told Closer magazine in 2014: “I don’t see her often, but I talk to her a bunch. “She hasn’t been too well. She’s really having a battle with it, I’m sorry to say.”
