“It’s a very painful disease”: Donna Kelce raises awareness for Shingles while supporting health advocacy

While the NFL universe is abuzz with off-season signings and team plans, Donna Kelce is leveraging her platform for a purpose outside of football—shingles awareness, a debilitating disease that strikes millions over the age of 50. While her son, Kansas City Chiefs superstar Travis Kelce, is planning his football future, Donna is dedicated to informing others about this too-often-missed medical condition.

Donna Kelce’s fight against Shingles

Earlier in the year, as Travis Kelce was getting ready for a do-or-die playoff game against the Houston Texans, Donna Kelce was planning an event of her own. Joining forces with celebrities Brooke Shields, Gina Torres, and Roselyn Sanchez, she hosted a VIP brunch in Kansas City—not to debate football, but to raise awareness of the risks of shingles.


The event was part of GSK’s THRIVE@50+ campaign, a nationwide initiative encouraging people over 50 to take control of their health. As an ambassador, Donna has been vocal about the risks of shingles, explaining, “Shingles is a painful, blistering rash that can develop at any time, without warning. 99% of adults over 50 years old already have the virus that causes shingles inside their body, even though not everyone at risk will develop shingles.”

Urging people to seek medical advice, Donna Kelce added, “Ask your doctor or pharmacist about your risk for shingles and about prevention.” For Donna, this campaign is more than just public advocacy—it’s personal. Speaking with Brooke Shields, she revealed the emotional impact of watching loved ones suffer from shingles.

“I’ve had a few friends that have developed shingles. It’s a very painful disease. You miss out on the most precious moments in your life because you cannot be the person you want to be because you’re in pain. If you do get this particular disease, it’s not an easy one,” she shared.


To keep the event engaging, Donna and Gina Torres even took part in a fun football toss game—blending entertainment with an important message about health awareness.

Since joining THRIVE@50+ in September, Donna has remained dedicated to educating people about shingles prevention. “Everybody needs to take ownership of their health, regardless of age. That’s the most important thing you can do,” she emphasized.

Shingles is an aching rash resulting from reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the identical virus that induces chickenpox. Although anyone who has experienced chickenpox can get shingles, they are most often seen in persons aged 50 and older. Symptoms are rashes that blisters, burn, tingle, and result in flu-like discomfort. Serious cases may contribute to complications such as chronic pain in the nerve.

Also Read: Donna Kelce’s health battle and its impact on Travis Kelce’s retirement decision

Donna Kelce's activism targets making more individuals understand the dangers and take preventive action, like informing their medical professionals about vaccination choices. As a volunteer for THRIVE@50+, she keeps working towards using her platform to encourage health education and proactive care.


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