MJFF staff joined Parkinson’s patients, care partners, local organizations and state legislators to call for the passage of a California bill that aims to fund Parkinson’s research.
Each year during the month of April, The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) partners with Parkinson’s policy advocates and government leaders to recognize Parkinson’s Awareness Month and World Parkinson’s Day.
In 2025, the United States Congress, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Texas officially marked April as Parkinson’s Awareness Month by passing resolutions and proclamations.
In California and Connecticut, MJFF’s Public Policy team joined local advocates, patients, care partners, state officials and partner organizations to highlight pending Parkinson’s legislation.
California Champions State Funding for Parkinson’s Research
On April 21, MJFF gathered more than 40 people at the California state capitol to honor the local Parkinson’s community and spotlight state legislation to fund Parkinson’s research. Director of State Government Relations Julia Pitcher spoke on behalf of MJFF during the press conference.
Assembly Bill 829 would establish two related programs: a state-run competitive grant program called the California Parkinson’s Disease Research Fund and the Parkinson’s Disease Research Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund which would allow California taxpayers to allocate part of their tax return to research. Assembly Bill 829 is still being considered in the state legislature.
Assemblymember Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins (D) — lead sponsor of the bill — led the day’s efforts with California Senators Bob Archuleta (D) and Maria Elena Durazo (D) and Assemblymembers Michelle Rodriguez (D), Gail Pellerin (D) and Jose Luis Solache (D). The Parkinson’s Association of San Diego, the Parkinson Association of Northern California and Parkinson’s Community Los Angeles joined in to call for more research funding and support for Californians living with Parkinson’s.
With formal acknowledgments on both the Senate and Assembly floors, the day sent a strong message: California lawmakers are taking concrete steps to prioritize Parkinson’s research and science-driven policy.
Second Annual Event Builds on Parkinson’s Registry Progress in Connecticut
On April 11, MJFF joined legislators, clinicians, researchers and advocates for the second annual World Parkinson’s Day event at the Connecticut state capitol.
During the press conference, Regina Stankaitis, a passionate patient advocate and Carol Goldberg, a Parkinson’s care partner shared their personal stories. Dr. Christine Gummerson of the Yale School of Medicine emphasized the importance of accelerating research and Holly Seymour, Program Director of the APDA Connecticut Chapter addressed the need for expanded community resources.
MJFF’s Senior State Government Relations Manager Zach Hardy delivered remarks to highlight our work with Connecticut state legislators and our commitment to doing everything we can to end Parkinson’s. “This disease impacts the lives of so many of our colleagues, friends, and neighbors — and when we speak out about the need to invest in our collective response to this disease — we make change,” he said in part.
When we speak out about the need to invest in our collective response to this disease — we make change.
Last year, Connecticut legislators partnered with MJFF to pass a bill to create a Parkinson’s disease registry. This year, we returned to the state to pursue legislation (House Bill 7233) that would create the Connecticut Parkinson’s Disease Research Account to fund research projects within the state. This program would be operated by the Connecticut Department of Public Health and allow for private donations as well. House Bill 7233 is currently under consideration.
During the speaking program, the co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Public Health Representative Cristin McCarthy-Vahey (D) and Senator Saud Anwar (D) — who were instrumental in the passage of the 2024 registry bill — underscored the need for this state fund to drive research breakthroughs.
Federal Lawmakers Join Forces to Designate April as Parkinson’s Awareness Month
U.S. Representatives Wesley Bell (D-MO) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced congressional resolutions to designate April as Parkinson’s Awareness Month in the United States.
In an announcement by Representatives Bell and Bilirakis, MJFF’s Interim Chief of Policy Dan Feehan expressed our gratitude to these members of Congress for leading a bipartisan effort to recognize more than 1 million Americans living with Parkinson’s. He added: “During Parkinson’s Awareness Month, we’re reaffirming our dedication to accelerating scientific breakthroughs, making sure patients have access to high quality care and ultimately, finding a cure for the world’s fastest growing neurological disease.”
We’re reaffirming our dedication to accelerating scientific breakthroughs, making sure patients have access to high quality care and ultimately, finding a cure for the world’s fastest growing neurological disease.
The resolutions were also supported by Senator James Risch (R-ID) and Representative Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA).
Did you secure a Parkinson’s Awareness Month resolution, proclamation or celebration in your community that you’d like to be added to this post? Email us at policy@michaeljfox.org.
Interested in helping your elected officials learn more about Parkinson’s and how they can support patients, families and care partners? Join our policy network and make your voice heard!