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Foundation Updates

Here for It: Working Together to Speed a Cure for Parkinson's

Editor’s Note: The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) is proud to be the recipient of three 41st Annual Telly Awards for our 2018 three-part film, “Here for it: Working Together to Speed a Cure for Parkinson’s.” The Telly Awards receive over 13,000 entries from all 50 states and five continents to honor excellence in video and television and are judged by leaders from video platforms, television, streaming networks, and production companies. MJFF received awards in the following non-broadcast categories: motivational, public relations, and non-profit. Watch the award-winning videos below!

The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) recognizes that every member of our growing community -- from a person with Parkinson's who joins a clinical study to a CEO of a biotechnology company uncovering key genetic targets or a television host and MJFF Board member whose father has Parkinson's -- is here for it when it comes to speeding a cure for Parkinson's.

But how do these individuals see MJFF's role in Parkinson's research and awareness?

In the summer of 2018, we set out to find answers. We interviewed 12 prominent voices in the Parkinson's community. Many have multi-layered experiences with Parkinson's. Anne Wojcicki is CEO of personal genetics company 23andMe and has family with a personal connection to Parkinson's; Mark Seliger is a renowned photographer and longtime supporter of MJFF whose father has Parkinson's; and Jim McNasby, JD, is an attorney with early-onset Parkinson's and pro bono legal consultant to the Foundation. We also interviewed people working in Parkinson's research at many organizations, including Verily, Denali Therapeutics, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). 

The common theme: they all share our sense of purpose to push critical Parkinson's research forward. And they also agree that MJFF, through our range of activities and engagement, plays a central role in galvanizing the Parkinson's community, spearheading groundbreaking research, encouraging clinical trial participation and leading by example in the field. 

The interviews resulted in three short films that explore how Foundation community members are, each in their own ways, "here for" -- accelerating progress toward improved treatments and a cure for Parkinson's disease.

The first video, "The Vision," describes the beginnings of the Foundation and our evolution from an idea to a research organization.

Here for It Part 1: The Vision

In the second video, "The Values," the Foundation's scientific partners talk about what makes MJFF a unique collaborator in research and what sets us apart from others in the field.

Here for It Part 2: The Values

The trilogy ends with "Our Vow." MJFF research and community partners discuss why they are hopeful about the future for people living with Parkinson's and why the Foundation is a big reason for their optimism.

Here for It Part 3: Our Vow

MJFF is grateful to our many partners for working with us to help speed a cure. There are several ways you, too, can get involved:

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