jeff bridges ‘almost lost it all’ during pandemic

crazy heart academy-award-winner jeff bridges has been away from the spotlight until recently because of his health. the 72-year-old was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2020 and then contracted covid-19 while he was receiving cancer treatment, popculture reports .

“i almost lost it all,” bridges says in the new ad that was posted to instagram on thursday. “my immune system was totally shot. fortunately, you don’t have to wait around for the worst. you can up your antibodies before covid comes knocking.”

the spots, part of the  up the antibodies  campaign to promote an antibody therapy option for immunocompromised people to protect against covid-19, were filmed at the botanical gardens in santa barbara, california where bridges and his wife susan like to visit.

bridges told e! news he is lucky to be alive. he had contracted the virus before vaccines were available and had “nothing to fight it” because chemotherapy crushed his immune system. “i was just really at death’s door a couple of times there.”

immunocompromised? here are some steps to protect yourself 

vaccines are working well to reduce severe outcomes like hospitalization and death from the virus, although public health experts see reduced protection over time — especially for immunocompromised people — and boosters are recommended, says the centers for disease control and prevention (cdc) .

according to health canada, as of april 14, 2022 astrazeneca’s long-acting monoclonal antibody therapy, evusheld, is available to people with compromised immune systems in canada for the prevention of covid-19.

about 14 per cent of canadians are at higher risk

statistics canada data in 2020 reports that around 14 per cent of canadians aged 15 years or older have a compromised immune system that increases their risk of serious health outcomes from covid-19.

statscan also found that roughly 38 per cent of canadian adults living in private households have one or more underlying health conditions that may put them at higher risk of complications following covid-19 infection.

as cbc news reports , some immunocompromised canadians are facing an anxious future as covid-19 restrictions have been lifted.