My tinnitus began while I was filming the Star Trek episode “Arena.” I was standing too close to a special effects explosion and it resulted in tinnitus.

There were days when I didn’t know how I would survive the agony. I was so tormented by the screeching in my head I really thought I would not be able to go on. But then a ray of light burst into my life – the American Tinnitus Association. The help they gave me literally saved my life. The harsh reality of tinnitus has robbed silence from the lives of nearly 50 million Americans. Whether you hear it in your ears or in your head tinnitus means the same thing: noise that does not go away. You do not suffer alone.

ATA works with the best and the brightest scientists through-out the world who are investigating this terrible condition. What’s unique about ATA is that they give us all the opportunity to do something about tinnitus; they make it possible for anyone to contribute and support research that is moving us toward a cure. I believe we can achieve this goal!

I encourage you to join me in making a generous donation to the American Tinnitus Association. Its dedicated staff and volunteers are here for us today, helping us live with our tinnitus and supporting innovative research. Eventually, they will bring the good news of silence back into our lives. We must band together on this journey to help fund our critically needed association so that one day, not one single person will ever have to bear the agony and distress of tinnitus. From the bottom of my heart … thank you for your help.