From Family Connection to Policy Action: My Experience as a Parkinson’s Advocate and Intern

Editor’s Note: Ava Signorelli is a student at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, where she studies political science and constitutional studies. Hailing from Arlington, Virginia, Ava is the daughter of Allie Signorelli, Patient Council member at The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF). In this guest blog, Ava describes her experience as an intern with MJFF’s Public Policy team, and how her professional and personal journeys came together at the 2025 Parkinson’s Policy Forum.  

This summer, I had the privilege of serving as a Policy Intern with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF). In this role, I supported the Foundation’s public policy and advocacy initiatives — work that gave me a front-row seat to how policy, research and patient voices intersect to drive meaningful change. 

As part of the Policy team, I contributed to a wide range of projects that supported the Foundation’s advocacy goals, including drafting action alerts, social media content and collecting community stories to help center the patient experience in our Parkinson’s advocacy. Perhaps most exciting, I assisted in the coordination of the 2025 Parkinson’s Policy Forum on Capitol Hill. 

This event, which marked the first in-person advocacy day for Parkinson’s since 2019, brought more than 275 patients, family members, care partners, researchers and clinicians to Capitol Hill from 45 states. Over two days, we held 219 in-person meetings with members of Congress, where Forum attendees shared their personal experiences and stories. 

Together, we called for urgent action on three critical priorities:
 

1. increasing federal investment in Parkinson’s research,
2. implementing and funding the National Parkinson’s Project and
3. banning the use of paraquat, a harmful chemical linked to Parkinson’s. 

At the same time, thousands more advocates joined in virtually during the annual Parkinson’s National Day of Action online. Using our action alerts, the Parkinson’s community at home emailed and called lawmakers to reinforce our calls to action, adding to the strength of our collective voice on the Hill. 

My role at the Forum was as the staff lead for my home state of Virginia. I had the opportunity to assist constituents in meetings with Senator Mark Warner, Senator Tim Kaine, Representative Don Beyer and other members of the Virginia delegation. Returning to Senator Warner’s office, where I interned last summer, was a full-circle moment — this time I was seated on the other side of the table as an advocate, asking the senator’s office to act on policy issues that matter to the Parkinson’s community.  

For me, this work is deeply personal. In 2022, my mom was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease. From the beginning, she has approached her diagnosis with incredible strength and resolve, building an online community for others navigating the same challenges and quickly becoming involved with organizations like MJFF. Watching my mom channel her diagnosis into action inspired me to get involved too, and I feel so proud and grateful that she connected me with this community. 

Working with MJFF this summer was professionally rewarding and meaningful on a personal level. Day to day, I helped manage operations for MJFF’s advocacy program, the Parkinson’s Policy Network; supported the production and editing of policy materials and provided administrative and programmatic support wherever needed. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a cause that directly touches my family while learning from such dedicated and passionate colleagues. It was an experience I will carry with me throughout my career. 

Special thanks to MJFF’s Advocacy Director Amy Becker and the entire Policy team for their mentorship, guidance and support throughout my internship. This summer has reaffirmed for me that advocacy is most potent when it’s rooted in both policy expertise and personal connection — and I am honored to have played a small part in advancing the Foundation’s mission.