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, U.S. |
| 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 began this non-profit organization in the United States in 2000. Its main goal is to find a cure for Parkinson's disease. This is a brain condition that affects movement.
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How the Foundation Works
The Michael J. Fox Foundation helps scientists find new ways to treat Parkinson's disease. They give money, called grants, directly to scientists. These scientists are chosen because they have the best ideas for finding a cure. The Foundation also works closely with these projects. They make sure the research stays on track. This helps speed up the search for better treatments.
Funding Important Research
The Foundation is a very big supporter of Parkinson's research. In 2006, The Guardian newspaper said it was the "largest private funder" of this research. By 2023, the Foundation had raised $2 billion for projects. This money helps scientists study Parkinson's disease. It also helps them develop new medicines.
Town and Country magazine reported something amazing in 2022. The Michael J. Fox Foundation gave more money to Parkinson's research than the US government did. Fox Business also calls it the biggest non-profit group funding Parkinson's research in the world.
Discoveries and Tools
The Foundation supports many important studies. These studies help us learn more about Parkinson's disease.
Finding Early Signs of Parkinson's
In 2023, a big study called the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative shared exciting news. This study was funded by the Foundation. Researchers found a special protein called abnormal alpha-synuclein. This protein can be a "biomarker." A biomarker is like a clue in your body. It can show if someone has Parkinson's disease. The amazing part is that this biomarker can be found even before a person shows any symptoms. This discovery was published in Lancet Neurology. Finding the disease early could help people get treatment sooner.
Helping with Clinical Trials
The Foundation also created a website called Fox Trial Finder. This website helps people who have Parkinson's disease. It lists different clinical trials that are happening. Clinical trials are research studies where new treatments are tested. The website makes it easier for people to find trials they can join. This helps new treatments get tested faster.
