The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

Today, our fearless founder is recognized in TIME's inaugural “100 Health” list. The global list honors community leaders across industries – scientists, doctors, advocates, educators, and policymakers, among others – dedicated to creating tangible, credible change for a healthier population. In the issue, Michael is recognized as a catalyst for speeding today’s Parkinson’s research breakthroughs. He says that he feels that momentum building, and along with it, a responsibility to the patients. “The more I feel it, the more humbled I am, and the more daunting it is,” he says of the work yet to be done. “The dream is to say to someone, ‘You have Parkinson’s. Take this.’ And we have the dream in our sights now.” Read the digital copy: https://bit.ly/3JK1pXH #TIME100HEALTH

Since opening our doors, our Foundation has brought a distinct sense of urgency and efficiency to the Parkinson's research landscape. Our Foundation staff are always seeking innovative ways to accelerate research efforts and maximize impact. Hear more from MJFF’s Sarah Traisman, director of development operations and Shirley N., director of planned giving in a recent podcast episode from NonProfit PRO. They discuss the rapid growth of giving through donor-advised funds (DAFs) and how MJFF is using technology to address the changing dynamic in philanthropy and advance stewardship. Listen now: https://bit.ly/3JEghqP

This past Saturday, we gathered in Central Park for the 30th annual Parkinson’s Unity Walk. The strength of this community is evident as we welcomed our largest crowd yet, with over 5,200 participants showing up in support of our mission. Through their collective efforts, we raised over $1 million, unlocking a dollar-for-dollar match and bringing our total amount raised to $2.1 million. Thank you to all who contributed to the success of the 2024 Parkinson's Unity Walk! See all photos from the event: https://bit.ly/3wcpMu8

The Michael J. Fox Foundation is proud to support promising research through the Parkinson’s Disease Therapeutics Pipeline Program. The program seeks to advance Parkinson's therapeutic development by providing funding to research that has clear potential to prevent, stop, or delay disease progression or alleviate the burden of symptoms. Through this program, the Foundation can speed the development of new treatments and increase the likelihood that they will reach patients in need. The Parkinson’s Disease Therapeutics Program is currently accepting proposals for industry and industry-academia collaborations. Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/3QeE44b

Last week, Breakthrough Prize Foundation honored Andrew Singleton, PhD, Ellen Sidransky, MD and Thomas Gasser, MD, PhD as recipients of the 2024 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences at their tenth annual ceremony in Los Angeles. These field leaders are recognized for discovering key genetic risk factors for Parkinson's disease. All three winners have received funding from The Michael J. Fox Foundation and their findings have influenced where we are today in drug development. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Singleton, Dr. Sidransky and Dr. Gasser and learn more about their discoveries here: https://bit.ly/3F2CNHe

For over a century, different surgical interventions have been explored to address symptoms of Parkinson's disease, and researchers are continuing to innovate and improve surgical treatments today. In the latest episode of The Parkinson’s Research Podcast, we are joined by Doris Wang, neurosurgeon and Associate Professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Wang discusses her work using focused ultrasound and deep brain stimulation (DBS), and how new technology and our growing understanding of PD is allowing neurosurgical interventions to become more effective and personalized. Listen now: https://bit.ly/49Gq764 * This podcast is geared toward researchers and clinicians. If you live with Parkinson’s or have a friend or family member with PD, listen to The Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast: michaeljfox.org/podcasts

MJFF is proud to support the inaugural GBA Meeting hosted by The Neuro in McGill University this summer in Montreal. This meeting will serve as a unique platform to collectively advance the understanding and treatment of GBA1-associated neurodegenerative diseases. View the preliminary program and join us June 27-29: https://bit.ly/4c6nvkq Early Bird Registration will be available until April 27.

"I know Michael J. Fox. Like, I know him pretty damn well. He’s funny. He’s warm. He’s handsome and intensely smart. He also falls a lot. Not just because he has Parkinson’s. He falls a lot because he’s unafraid to fly." - Ryan Reynolds, MJFF Board member. Please join us in congratulating our fearless founder, Michael J. Fox, for being recognized as one ofTIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2024. Michael's recognition in the issue is written by Ryan Reynolds, a dear friend of Michael and valued MJFF Board Member, who captures the impact that Michael has made on the world and the lives he has touched around him. "I’ve watched him raise the bar for purpose and passion. It’d be kinda lazy to simply characterize him as the greatest champion of Parkinson’s research on the planet. He’s someone who helped my dad, along with millions of others, feel less alone. It’d be kinda lazy to simply regard him as a movie star who shaped the lives of people all over the planet with a uniquely electric wit and self-aware charm. He’s the sum of these beautiful parts. And so many more."

In recognition of Parkinson’s Awareness Month, we are proud to partner with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research by offering ‘Coffee For A Cause” week beginning Sunday, April 14, to help raise money and awareness for Parkinson’s research. Since 2011, RaceTrac has raised more than $8 million to support Parkinson’s research through its ‘Coffee For A Cause’ week and annual Run For Research 5K, scheduled for Saturday, September 14, 2024.   “RaceTrac's partnership with The Michael J. Fox Foundation is very personal for my family and we are so proud of the outpouring of support our guests have provided over the years, including raising more than $700,000 during ‘Coffee For A Cause’ last year,” said Melanie Isbill, chief brand officer at RaceTrac and member of MJFF’s board of directors since March 2021. “The foundation has made significant advances in research and treatments for this disease in the past year, and I am humbled by RaceTrac’s unwavering presence in this fight as we work together to fund research in support of survivors and their families as we advance into the next stages of widespread eradication.” 

Thank you to everyone who was able to join us at our 2024 MVP Celebration Weekend, recognizing our top 2023 fundraisers! All of us at The Michael J. Fox Foundation are inspired each day by the incredible dedication of our Team Fox members, who collectively raised over $14.2 million for Parkinson's research last year — the largest fundraising year yet. Read more about the ways we honored our top fundraisers: https://bit.ly/3W3vKrF