The Michael J. Fox Foundation facts for kids
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| Abbreviation | MJFF |
|---|---|
| Founded | October 31, 2000 |
| Founder | Michael J. Fox |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) Non-profit |
| Purpose | Funding research for better treatments and a cure for Parkinson's disease |
| Headquarters | New York City |
| Fields | Parkinson's disease clinical research |
| Skip Irving | |
| Deborah W. Brooks | |
| Affiliations | MJFF Canada |
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research is a special group started by actor Michael J. Fox. He is known for movies like Back to the Future. This group began in 2000. Its main goal is to find a cure for Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's is a brain condition that affects how people move. The foundation also works to find better ways to treat the disease.
How the Foundation Helps Research
The Michael J. Fox Foundation helps scientists find new treatments. They give money, called grants, directly to researchers. These are scientists who they believe have the best ideas. The foundation also works closely with these projects. They make sure the research stays on track. This helps speed up the search for a cure.
Raising Money for a Cure
The foundation is very good at raising money. By 2023, they had collected $2 billion. This money goes directly to Parkinson's research projects. They are the biggest private group in the world that funds this type of research. In fact, in 2022, they funded more Parkinson's research than the US government. This shows how much they help scientists.
Important Discoveries and Tools
The foundation supports important studies. In 2023, a study they funded made a big discovery. Scientists found a special protein, called alpha-synuclein. This protein can show if someone has Parkinson's. It can even be found before symptoms start. This is a huge step for early detection.
The foundation also created a website called Fox Trial Finder. This website helps people find clinical trials. Clinical trials are studies where new treatments are tested. If you or someone you know has Parkinson's, this site can help them join research. Joining a trial helps scientists learn more.
