Recent research breakthroughs have provided scientists with a deeper understanding of the biology behind Parkinson's disease than ever before.
Michael J. Fox | Opinion contributor
I found myself this month having the humbling, surreal experience of receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is not the kind of honor I ever anticipated on my life bingo card.
But I never expected a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, either. Or starting a foundation that bears my name, which has partnered with thousands of research labs, hundreds of biotech and pharmaceutical companies, and millions of donors to raise over $2 billion to fund critical research.
My journey remains full of surprises, yet at its essence, it has consistently revolved around a singular purpose: collaborating closely with a nationwide community to tackle challenges and accelerate research aimed at developing improved treatments and ultimately finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease.
We have the potential to discover a treatment for Parkinson's disease.
That's why I'm proudly showcasing my new medal and calling on America's elected officials to take every possible action to eliminate Parkinson's disease for good.
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Last year, Congress took the first step by passing the bipartisan National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act. The Michael J. Fox Foundation helped to lay the groundwork for this opportunity, mobilizing hundreds of thousands of grassroots advocates to secure bipartisan support that led to the bill being signed into law in July as the National Parkinson’s Project.
Now, the U.S. government sits in pole position − if the incoming administration seizes this opportunity − to leverage this public-private partnership to secure better, faster results toward next-generation drugs and a cure.
Please indulge me for a moment for a brief overview of Biology 101: Parkinson’s disease is multifaceted, involving various pathologies, risk factors, and clinical symptoms that manifest across different systems in our brains and bodies. This complexity has made it a difficult disease to study and even more challenging to endure, as I can personally attest.
The existing federal strategy regarding Parkinson’s disease showcases this intricacy. Research on Parkinson’s funded by the government is fragmented across various federal entities, such as numerous institutes within the National Institutes of Health, as well as the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and others.
This situation is inefficient, indicating that American taxpayers are supporting a large scientific discovery initiative with one hand, while progress is simultaneously hindered by the other.
Meanwhile, the staggering public health and economic challenge of the disease grows: Within 15 years, the annual cost of Parkinson's disease is expected to surpass $79 billion, borne by patients, their families and the federal government through Medicare.
Recent advancements in research inspire optimism within me.
Nonetheless, I hold onto hope. Recent waves of research advancements have equipped scientists with a deeper understanding of Parkinson’s biology than ever before. They have also uncovered significant overlaps with other neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, that were not recognized to this extent before.
This brings unprecedented clarity to where scientific collaboration can be most effective and yield the fastest gains.
The Fox Foundation has consistently welcomed risk and adopted a practical mindset, striving to tackle biomedical research issues that have historically been considered unsolvable. We’ve established collaborations between public and private sectors, uniting academic and industry scientists, payers, regulators, as well as patients and their families to produce outcomes that have transformed the landscape of Parkinson’s research.
These include, to name a few, a transformed understanding of Parkinson’s genetics, a crucial Parkinson’s biomarker discovered in 2023 and standing armies of clinical trial participants. It is no exaggeration to call this a watershed moment for the field.
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The National Parkinson’s Project in turn offers the incoming administration the chance to enact a “whole-of-government” approach, streamlining and unifying the best intentions of multiple players to make faster progress. Federal investments and public-private partnerships capitalizing on this moment can achieve more than ever before.
The foundation is prepared to collaborate with the government to fast-track and introduce innovative treatments that will aid the millions of Americans affected by this illness, with the ultimate goal of eradicating it entirely.
Parkinson's disease is a challenge we can overcome, but it requires swift and determined action. We possess the understanding and have developed the necessary resources. We are prepared to collaborate with the government, presenting a unique opportunity to yield significant benefits for families across America.
Elected representatives commit to improving our lives. This is an opportunity to fulfill that commitment. To the federal government, I express my deep humility and gratitude for being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
However, the greatest reward I could hope for would be your unwavering partnership, guidance, and determination to make 2025 the year we dedicate ourselves to eradicating Parkinson’s disease.
By working together, we can accomplish it.
