In the United States women develop MS at approximately twice the rate men do, and no one can explain why women are affected most often from the waist down.

In 1993 Annette Funicello opened the Annette Funicello Fund for Neurological Disorders at the California Community Foundation. She and Fabares have been friends since they were young teenagers in a catechism class and Fabares was a bridesmaid at Funicello's first wedding.

Beginning her professional career as a child performer at the age of twelve Funicello rose to prominence as one of the most popular "Mouseketeers" on the original Mickey Mouse Club. As a teenager Annette Funicello transitioned to a successful career as a singer with the pop singles "Tall Paul" and "Pineapple Princess" as well as establishing herself as a film actress popularizing the successful "Beach Party" genre alongside co-star Frankie Avalon during the mid-1960s.