For over 25 years, Michael J. Fox has made his name synonymous with research on Parkinson’s disease. Since its early beginnings, the Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) has matched its donations with cutting edge scientific studies, going on to fund discoveries that have advanced our understanding of the disease.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s familiar origin story
In 1991, Michael was filming the romantic comedy Doc Hollywood when he noticed a tremor in his pinky finger. A neurologist would go on to diagnose 29-year-old Michael with early-onset Parkinson’s disease. Motivated by his diagnosis and a desire to match funding with credible research projects, Michael would go on to launch MJFF, an organization which The New York Times has labelled “the most credible voice on Parkinson’s research in the world.”
Since the inception of MJFF more than a quarter of a century ago, the project’s scope continues to grow. Maggie Kuhl, Vice President and Head Patient Engagement, highlights the organization’s growth. “When the Foundation launched in 2000, our goal was bold: move research forward faster than ever before. Today, we’ve grown into the largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s research in the world, and our investments and partnerships have
helped reshape how the field approaches this work.”
The importance of aggressive research
Thanks to an aggressively funded research agenda, MJFF’s search for a cure and improved therapies both involves and impacts those living with the Parkinson’s disease today. The goal of the program is singular: to increase and accelerate the growth and development of therapies for Parkinson’s today.
In practice, this looks like identifying projects that are vital to patients, finding solutions for field-wide issues, coordinating teams, and being committed to driving knowledge for the benefit of anyone whose life has been affected by Parkinson’s disease.
In principle, MJFF ascribes to the core values of optimism, tenacity, collaboration, boldness, adaptability, and curiosity when it comes to problem-solving.
Research participation and involvement play a major role in the studies funded by MJFF. Kuhl says, “I hear often from people who feel like joining a study has given them a sense of power in a disease that can feel like it takes a lot.”
Accelerated funding for breakthrough studies
MJFF has a business goal unlike many others: to go out of business. The organization makes use of its financial backing quickly and with urgency, knowing time is of the essence (and boasts an impressive 89 cents of every dollar spent since the beginning of the program).
Unlike other types of medical research, which can slow to a crawl due to lack of funding, MJFF’s willingness to invest in research on Parkinson’s disease has led to groundbreaking discoveries. Kuhl reiterates the many ways in which our understanding of the disease has changed, “Today, Parkinson’s is diagnosed after movement symptoms (tremor, slowness, stiffness) first appear. Today, we’re moving toward detecting underlying biology sometimes even before symptoms begin. Researchers are identifying biomarkers, including protein activity and even shifts in sense of smell, that signal early changes in the brain. That is allowing scientists to plan for trials to slow early progression.”
Joining the global Parkinson’s research community
Thanks to the efforts of those involved with MJFF, the future of diagnoses and treatment for Parkinson’s is looking decidedly brighter. Because of the organization’s financial backing, more than 20 early-stage therapeutic programs have been developed. There are currently more than 15 disease-modifying interventions in clinical trials.
Since the Foundation’s inception, close to 50,000 individuals have become citizen scientists to help propel research on Parkinson’s disease. Interested in helping out? You can participate in the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI).
According to Kuhl, “If you’ve noticed changes in your sense of smell, have Parkinson’s, have a family history, or simply want to support brain health research, you can take part in PPMI. It’s open to volunteers worldwide, and in many cases, getting started is as easy as requesting a free smell test. Small actions can fuel big breakthroughs. Together, we’re moving closer to a world without Parkinson’s.”
This article was originally published in the May-June 2026 issue of alive magazine (US edition).
