Ashton Kutcher says he’s “lucky to be alive” after revealing that he was diagnosed with a rare form of vasculitis almost two years ago.

The actor opened up about his diagnosis for the first time in a new episode of National Geographic’s Running Wild With Bear Grylls: The Challenge, recounting how it took him almost a full year to recover from the disease, which left him unable to hear or see for an extended period of time.

“Like two years ago I had a weird, super-rare form of vasculitis that knocked out my vision, knocked out my hearing and knocked out all of my equilibrium. It took me like a year to build it all back up again,” the Vengence star told Grylls. Though vasculitis—an autoimmune reaction that causes inflammation of the blood vessels and organs—can be triggered by any number of factors, Kutcher did not share the specifics of his diagnosis.

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“You don’t really appreciate it until it’s gone,” he said of his senses. “Until you go, ‘I don’t know if I’m ever going to be able to hear again; I don’t know if I’m ever going to be able to walk again.’”

The 44-year-old actor shared that the diagnosis and recovery helped give him a new outlook on life. “The minute you start seeing your obstacles as things that are made for you to give you what you need, then life starts to get fun,” Kutcher said. “You start surfing on top of your problems instead of living underneath them.”

Catch the full exclusive segment from Access below:

Kutcher and Wife Mila Kunis Pledge to Match $3 Million in Donations to Ukrainian Refugees

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Kutcher, who shares two children with wife and former That ’70s Show co-star Mila Kunis, made news earlier this year when the pair pledged to match up to $3 million in donations to assist war refugees from Ukraine. The duo, who have been vocal about supporting Ukraine since Russia began invading the country in February 2022, shared the news in an Instagram video in March. Kunis herself was born in Ukraine in 1983 and came to America in 1991.

In addition to matching the $3 million, the couple aimed to raise $30 million through their GoFundMe page for humanitarian aid. Less than two weeks later, Kutcher and Kunis shared in another Instagram video that they had reached the $30 million goal, with over 65,000 supporters donating.

“While this is far from a solve of the problem, our collective effort will provide a softer landing for so many people as they forge ahead into their future of uncertainty,” Kunis said.

“Our work is not done,” Kutcher added. “We’re gonna do everything we can to ensure that the outpouring of love that came from you all as a part of this campaign finds the maximum impact with those in need.” He continued, “As funding continues to come in, we’re going to treat every dollar as if it’s being donated out of our own pocket–with respect and honor for the work that went into earning it, with the intent of love through which it was given, and the desire for it to be maximized for positive outcomes for others.”

Watch the couple’s full statement below:

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