• Nation's highest civilian honor
recognizes his tireless advocacy and dedication to
speeding
a cure for Parkinson's
disease
NEW
YORK, January 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --
Michael J. Fox, the actor, author,
advocate and founder of The Michael J. Fox
Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF), was recognized with the
Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor,
at a White House ceremony today.
President Biden presented Fox with the medal, which honors
individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the
prosperity, values, or security of the
United States, world peace, or other significant societal,
public or private endeavors.
In its press release announcing the news, the White House said
of Fox, "Michael J. Fox is an actor
who has won five Emmy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, two Screen
Actors Guild Awards, and a Grammy Award. He is a world-renowned
advocate for Parkinson's disease research and development."
"Receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom is humbling, an
honor I could never have anticipated," said Fox. "I'm grateful for
this recognition, which I share with the patients, families and
researchers who have brought us closer than ever to ending
Parkinson's disease once and for all."
Founded by Fox in 2000, MJFF has grown to become the world's
largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's research, having allocated
more than $2 billion to high-impact
global research programs to speed better treatments and a cure. The
Foundation's high-risk, high-reward model has enabled milestones
including the 2023 breakthrough discovery of a Parkinson's
biomarker — a long-sought research tool that is
helping to speed clinical trials — and
the National Parkinson's Project, a 2024 law that establishes
the first-ever federal initiative to accelerate research, improve
patient care and ultimately prevent and cure Parkinson's.
Fox receives the Medal of Freedom at a time of extraordinary
breakthroughs in Parkinson's science. The unprecedented opportunity
to speed cures is matched only by the urgency of the need:
Parkinson's disease (PD) is now the second most common and
fastest-growing neurological disease in the world. An estimated
1 million or more Americans, including over
110,000 U.S. military veterans, live with Parkinson's today. With
no way to prevent, stop or slow the disease, PD is projected to
double globally by 2040. According to a 2019 study commissioned by
the Foundation, the disease costs the U.S. $52 billion a year in direct and indirect costs.
The federal government covers about half of that cost while the
rest falls to people with Parkinson's, their families and
caregivers. In less than 15 years, the annual cost is expected to
surpass $79 billion.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom was presented to 19 honorees
including leaders in sports, entertainment, fashion, film and
philanthropy.
During the conferral ceremony, Michael's introduction to the
stage read: "The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded to
Michael J. Fox. Michael J. Fox is one of the most beloved actors
of our time with remarkable wit and charm, he introduced iconic
characters to the center of American culture from Alex P. Keaton to Marty
McFly and more. With undaunted resilience and optimism, he
also warms hearts and captivates audiences as a fearless advocate
for those with Parkinson's disease. Channeling his endearing
personality to advance treatments move us closer to a cure and
remind us of the power of American possibilities."
About Michael J. Fox
Michael J. Fox is an iconic
actor, best-selling author and advocate whose Hollywood career has been marked by worldwide
acclaim, honor and awards. He launched The Michael J. Fox
Foundation for Parkinson's Research in 2000 after publicly
disclosing his 1991 diagnosis, at age 29, with Parkinson's disease.
Described by The New York Times as "the
most credible voice on Parkinson's disease research in the world,"
the Foundation has funded more than $2
billion in Parkinson's research programs to date.
Michael has spoken and written extensively about his
predisposition to look at challenges, including his Parkinson's
disease, through a lens of optimism and humor. His many awards
include five Emmys, four Golden Globes, one Grammy, two Screen
Actors Guild awards and the People's Choice award. In the fall of
2022, Michael J. Fox was presented
with an honorary Oscar, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, by
the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. A documentary film
about Fox's remarkable life was released by Apple TV+ in the spring
of 2023.
Read more about Michael's story here.
About The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
(MJFF)
As the world's largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's research,
The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure
for Parkinson's disease and improved therapies for those living
with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through
an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program coupled
with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson's patients,
business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and
volunteers. In addition to funding $2
billion in research to date, the Foundation has
fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure.
Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson's research, the
Foundation forges groundbreaking collaborations with industry
leaders, academic scientists and government research funders;
creates a robust open- access data set and biosample library to
speed scientific breakthroughs and treatment with its landmark
clinical study, PPMI; increases the flow of participants into
Parkinson's disease clinical trials with its online tool, Fox Trial
Finder; promotes Parkinson's awareness through high-profile
advocacy, events and outreach; and coordinates the grassroots
involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around the world. For
more information, visit us at www.michaeljfox.org,
Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/michael-j-fox-honored-with-presidential-medal-of-freedom-302342318.html
SOURCE The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's
Research
