Check out E-magazine What Doctors Know, which features Michael J. Fox on the cover of their April/May issue and pick up your copy from the nook newsstand—download the issue directly on your nook or nook app on your iPhone, Android, iPad, PC or MAC to read more.  The article shares the latest facts and figures on Parkinson’s disease and discusses ways for the community to get involved whether by participating in clinical trial research, doubling impact through the Brin Wojcicki Challenge, community fundraising with Team Fox or engaging with the Parkinson’s community on michaeljfox.org and Foundation social media pages.  As Michael says, “when the cure for Parkinson’s is found — and it will be —it won’t be because of me, or our Foundation, or anyone individual. It will be because of all of us, working together. The answer is in all of us.” Continue reading “What Doctors Know Explores How Each of Us Can Play a Role in the Search for a Cure of Parkinson’s Disease” »

To speed new treatments to patients, The Michael J. Fox Foundation frequently partners with industry — such as our recently-announced collaboration with Sanofi. Michael J. Fox was recently asked for his perspective on the Foundation’s work with industry. Check out this Q&A to learn what inspires him and how we all can help bring a cure closer. Continue reading “Q&A with Michael J. Fox on Creating a Win-Win for Companies and for Patients” »

In spring 2009, personal genetics company 23andMe announced that it would recruit 10,000 people with Parkinson’s to contribute DNA for research to illuminate the role of genetics in PD. Three years later, 7,500 people with Parkinson’s across 49 U.S. states and 26 countries have joined what has become the largest Parkinson’s community for genetic research worldwide.  23andMe researchers are making progress toward building a greater picture of the underlying causes of the disease, genetic and otherwise.

“23andMe’s unique initiative leveraging DNA technology, the Internet, and patient participation is already enhancing understanding of Parkinson’s disease,” says Todd Sherer, PhD, CEO of The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF). “Ongoing results could open new approaches to developing drugs.”

There are many reasons for conducting genetic studies tied to PD.  One is to better predict an individual’s risk for developing the disease in the long-term.   Another reason is that, by studying genetic mutations, researchers hope to better understand the molecular processes taking place during the course of PD, in both genetic and sporadic cases of the disease. This could lead to improved drugs to counteract these processes.

MJFF has been a publicity partner to the PD Research Community, helping spread the word to people with Parkinson’s about the opportunity to speed research progress by mailing in a saliva sample to 23andMe to collect the DNA it needs to analyze people’s genetics.

Today, Sherer, Michael J. Fox, and Foundation Co-Founder Debi Brooks are visiting 23andMe’s Mountain View, California offices to see the operation first hand.

“The Foundation has played a major role in research progress we’ve made to this point,” says Emily Drabant, PhD, Research Development Manager at 23andMe. “Today’s visit gives us the chance to share updates with Todd, Michael, and Debi personally — and think through opportunities to continue our fruitful collaboration.”

Read on to learn more about some of 23andMe’s advances in research.

Continue reading “Navigating the ‘Many Roads to Rome’: MJFF Partner 23andMe Drives Genetic Research Toward Drugs to Treat Parkinson’s Disease” »

On April 18^th, Michael J. Fox participated in the 10^th Annual Commission for Charity Day with BTIG, a global financial services firm specializing in institutional trading and related brokerage service.  The Commission for Charity Day partners with professional athletes and celebrities to help raise money to support charities around the country, including The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. The event raised $4.5 million.

The money raised this year will be donated to charities around the world, including Autism Speaks, Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Project Sunshine, Alliance for Lupus Research, March of Dimes, St. Jude’s Research Hospital, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Starlight Children’s Foundation and the Franciscan Hospital for Children.

Michael J. Fox, wife Tracy Pollan and Tory Burch at the VIP Shopping Event in New York City.

There was lots of socializing and shopping at last night’s Tory Burch VIP Shopping event.  Many guests purchased new Tory Burch accessories, apparel and shoes, as well as our signature items. Don’t forget, the four signature items are available for purchase on ToryBurch.com through the end of the month, with 20% of all proceeds from these items will be donated back to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Hennessy's Martin Scorsese billboard in Times Square

On April 5, Moët Hennessy unveiled the final component of their “Wild Rabbit” advertising campaign at a VIP reception in New York City. Film-making visionary and philanthropist Martin Scorsese was partnering with Hennessy to inspire fans to pursue their “Wild Rabbit” — the embodiment of one’s inner drive to succeed. Also inspiring is the contribution that this collaboration would yield: a minimum gift of $250,000 to The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF).

In a taped video message that played at the reception, Michael J. Fox said, “Our wild rabbit is a cure for Parkinson’s. We will never stop — or settle — until we capture it. Thanks to Marty Scorsese and Hennessy for joining us in the chase.” Continue reading ““Our Wild Rabbit is a Cure for Parkinson’s”” »

Bill Langston with the Robert A. Pritzker Prize sculpture

For Michael J. Fox, Bill Langston, MD, was “the guy responsible for getting me pumped up about the science behind PD research — and the challenges we could take on.” For fellow scientists, including Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) CEO Todd Sherer, PhD, Langston was as a “real mentor,” whose “bench to bedside” philosophy to Parkinson’s research and patient care helped guide the Foundation’s patient-centric approach.

Fox and Sherer, along with Co-Founder and Executive Vice Chairman Debi Brooks, paid tribute to Langston on April 5 as they presented him with the Robert A. Pritzker Prize for Leadership in Parkinson’s Research. Also at the intimate luncheon in New York City were founding members of MJFF’s Scientific Advisory Board, whom Langston had recruited as the inaugural Chief, and members of the Pritzker family. Bringing together those who had been with the Foundation since the early days, it was an afternoon filled with meaningful reflection — of the progress made — and hopes for the future. Continue reading “The Man Who Inspired Michael J. Fox — About Science” »

Marlo Thomas was on the lookout for the “Givers” in the world—the people who give her hope and optimism—and she quickly and easily found Michael J. Fox. Michael and Marlo sat down to talk about how when he was faced with an extraordinary obstacle, like Parkinson’s disease, he chose not to focus on the challenge it posed, but instead on the opportunity it presented to help make a difference, to be a leader in the community and to continue living a rich and full life. For Marlo, and all of us, he is an inspiration. Read their conversation here.

Welcome to Parkinson’s Awareness Month. To kick things off, we’re excited to reveal the inspiring interview with Michael J. Fox and Parade Magazine, which you can find on newsstands today. Michael sat down with Parade to talk about life at 50, the importance of family and what Parkinson’s disease means to him.

We all know Michael J. Fox as our inspiring motivator-in-chief, but did you know he is the second most influential celebrity in America? Fact! According to the new Forbes Celebrity Influence Ranking Poll, Michael J. Fox comes in second place between Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg. The poll credits Fox’s leadership in the Parkinson’s disease (PD) space and the global influence of The Michael J. Fox Foundation in PD research. The poll ranks more than 6,600 celebrities on 46 different personality attributes, factoring in key likability and awareness metrics. To see more on the poll read here, or click here to follow Michael J. Fox’s lead and get involved!