You may have heard that our founder, Michael J. Fox, was recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Reflecting on the immense recognition, Michael penned a new opinion piece in USA Today on the extraordinary community-led effort to drive Parkinson’s research breakthroughs and an opportunity for the federal government to capitalize on the momentum through the National Parkinson’s Project.
He remarks, “My journey continues to surprise me, but at its core, it has always been about one thing: working hand-in-hand with a nationwide community to problem-solve and accelerate research toward better treatments and a cure for Parkinson’s disease. That’s why I’m taking my new medal out for a spin and urging America’s elected leaders to do everything in their power to end Parkinson’s once and for all.”
“That’s why I’m taking my new medal out for a spin and urging America’s elected leaders to do everything in their power to end Parkinson’s once and for all.”
Over the last few years, The Michael J. Fox Foundation — in partnership with hundreds of thousands of grassroots advocates, partner organizations and congressional champions — helped pave the way for the National Parkinson’s Project, a first-ever federal initiative to support the 1 million Americans with the disease. “Now,” Michael writes, “the U.S. government sits in pole position — if the incoming administration seizes this opportunity — to leverage everything this community has built and harness public-private partnerships to achieve better, faster results toward next-generation drugs and a cure.”
“The U.S. government sits in pole position — if the incoming administration seizes this opportunity — to leverage everything this community has built and harness public-private partnerships to achieve better, faster results toward next-generation drugs and a cure.”
Throughout the piece, Michael elaborates on the Foundation’s unwavering willingness to “roll up our sleeves” and embrace a high-risk, high-reward approach to raising and deploying over $2 billion in global research grants. This strategy has led to a “transformed understanding of Parkinson’s genetics, a crucial Parkinson’s biomarker discovered in 2023 and standing armies of ready and willing clinical trial participants.” “It is no exaggeration to call this a watershed moment for the field,” Michael says.
“It is no exaggeration to call this a watershed moment for the field.”
Ultimately, Michael promises the partnership and the support of the Foundation to ensure that the National Parkinson’s Project meets its full potential for the benefit of millions of Americans affected by Parkinson’s disease.
“Elected officials pledge to make our lives better,” Michael concludes. “This is a chance to make good on that promise. To the federal government, I say: I’m humbled and grateful to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. But the best prize I could receive would be your steadfast partnership, leadership and conviction to making 2025 the year we commit to ending Parkinson’s disease. Together, we can get it done.”
“The best prize I could receive would be your steadfast partnership, leadership and conviction to making 2025 the year we commit to ending Parkinson’s disease. Together, we can get it done.”
Read the full piece in USA Today for more on Michael’s perspective and call to action.