Michael J. Fox has spent more than three decades living with Parkinson’s disease, and while he says the fight isn’t over, he believes there’s a future without it.
In a new interview with Time published on Friday, February 20, the actor and advocate reflected on how far research has come since he was diagnosed at age 29 in 1991, and why he’s optimistic that Parkinson’s could one day be eradicated.
RELATED: Congratulations Pouring In For Actor Michael J. Fox
“I’d like to see a world without Parkinson’s, and I think that will happen,” the Back to theFuture star, 64, said. “I think in 30, 40 years, this will be done. Optimism is a powerful thing.”
When Fox was first diagnosed, he said Parkinson’s was widely misunderstood.
“It was an old person’s disease,” he told the outlet. “It was not a disease that got much attention.”
After learning he would be living with the condition for the rest of his life, Fox immersed himself in the science behind it and quickly realized what researchers were lacking.
“I was motivated by what I heard from the science people who said that the science is ahead of the money,” he said. “They said, ‘If you can direct money toward the right research, we can speed things along.’”
Taylor Hill/Getty Images
That motivation led him to co-create the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in 2000 with Deborah Brooks. The organization has since grown into the largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s research in the world, providing more than $2 billion to scientists.
Fox said he approached fundraising with his trademark humor and persistence.
“I’ll come in your office, I’ll take pictures with all of your employees, and I’ll pound you for money,” he said.
More than 25 years later, the foundation plays a key role in bringing together scientists, policy makers and advocates to remove barriers to research and treatment development. According to Brooks, there are now “175-plus therapeutic interventions being tested in humans.”
The Family Ties alum acknowledged that despite the progress, the ultimate goal has not yet been reached.
“I know we’ve done a lot, but we haven’t cured Parkinson’s,” he said. “I’m always pushing and never happy until we get this done. We’ve changed the way people think about the disease, and we know there’s an end, and we’ll find it.”
He also spoke about the deeply personal decision to publicly share his diagnosis seven years after learning he had the disease. At first, he wasn’t sure how it would be received.
“I went online and into Parkinson’s chat rooms, and I would go in anonymously, and would ask, ‘What do you think of this Michael Fox thing?’” he said. “And they would say, ‘It’s great.’ I would think, ‘You’re celebrating my having Parkinson’s.’ But then I got it.”
Ultimately, he came to see his role differently.
RELATED: Michael J. Fox Reflects on the Legacy He Wants To Leave Behind: ‘Spend It All Now’
“The more I thought about it, the more I thought it was a privilege, and in a way, a gift,” Fox said. “It’s a gift that keeps on taking, but if I look at the positive side of it…this is a role that I fell into and I found myself uniquely qualified to fulfill.”
Still, he made clear he has no intention of backing down.
“[Parkinson’s] is the biggest bully there is for me,” he said. “And I’m not just going to let it get its way. We’re going to have a fight and I’m going to get a few punches in. I may get beat up in the long run, but we’ll get it done. I’m a — pardon my language — tough son of a bitch and I’m going to get it done.”
Hence then, the article about michael j fox says parkinson s could be eradicated within 40 years was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Michael J. Fox Says Parkinson’s Could Be Eradicated Within 40 Years )
Also on site :
- TTW Announces Top 50 Nightlife Travel Destinations in the World for 2026
- 'Barbie' Star Shares Emotional Tribute to Eric Dane
- Donald Trump Calls On Netflix To Fire Board Member Susan Rice Or “Pay The Consequences”