Key Highlights
- Laura Dern honors her late mother Diane Ladd with a new campaign to raise awareness about idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
- Diane Ladd was diagnosed with IPF in 2018 and lived for over seven years, passing away in November 2025.
- The actress made a promise to her mother before she died to spread awareness about the terminal lung disease.
- Beyond the Scars is a new campaign with Boehringer Ingelheim that Laura Dern is participating in to fulfill this commitment.
Laura Dern’s Journey: Honoring Her Mother’s Legacy
Actress Laura Dern, known for her roles in films like “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” and “Enlightened,” has taken a personal and powerful step to honor the memory of her late mother, Diane Ladd. In 2018, Ladd was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a terminal lung disease that affects over 107,000 Americans annually according to the National Institutes of Health.
“She never wanted anyone to have to naively be in pain without answers,” Dern tells PEOPLE of her mother, who died at home with her daughter by her side. “Every caregiver has their own experience filled with fear and frustration.”
A Promise Kept Through Beyond the Scars Campaign
While Diane Ladd was given only three to six months to live after her diagnosis, she lived for over seven years, passing away in November 2025. Her daughter Laura Dern, moved by this journey and her mother’s commitment to share her experience, has launched a new awareness campaign with Boehringer Ingelheim called Beyond the Scars.
“I made a promise to my mom that I would continue to honor her legacy,” Dern says. “And her commitment and service to teaching and advocating for other families going through an ILD.”
Personal Struggles and Advocacy
The road was not easy for Laura Dern as she took on the role of caregiver for her mother during those seven years. Initially, the diagnosis left Dern traumatized and ready to accept a limited perspective on her mother’s care.
“I have to admit, as a caregiver, I’d love to make it sound like I was such a perfect champion for her, but at the beginning, I think I was so traumatized by this diagnosis that I was ready to accept the: ‘Be delicate with your mother. There’s nothing, really, you can do.
She has a few months to live.’”
However, with the help of a pulmonologist, Dern and her mother developed a plan that included medications and regular walks together. These walks not only helped maintain Ladd’s lung function but also deepened their relationship.
A Personal Testimony of Resilience
Diane Ladd was not just an actress; she was a fierce advocate who wanted to share her story with the world. Her daughter recalls how Ladd, despite her own struggle, was always ready to help others and make a difference.
“She wanted to share that with her grandchildren, as well as others,” Dern says. “To be reminded of what we can do with our time while living with a disease diagnosis like this.”
This commitment to spreading awareness about IPF is not just personal for Laura Dern; it’s a mission she believes will make a significant impact on the lives of many.
