Read donors' thoughts on why they support the Foundation.

Click here to read what researchers say about working with MJFF.

Robin Ross
Deerfield, Illinois

My father Ronald Ross had early-onset Parkinson’s disease and passed away at 70 from a hemorrhagic stroke. He founded the Consolidated Anti-Aging Foundation to fund Parkinson’s research that might not receive government funding. His mandate to my sister and me was to continue the effort until PD is cured. We did extensive research to determine where to direct our funds, and came across The Michael J. Fox Foundation.

My sister and I are tremendously impressed by the way the Foundation has influenced research in this field. This is the one organization that really pushes researchers to develop clear, specific timelines and objectives, to collaborate with others, and to take a common-sense approach to PD research.  Hopefully, one day, research in all areas will be similarly influenced.

As a family touched by PD, we are grateful that Michael J. Fox was willing and insightful enough to put these changes in place. His Foundation has truly impacted the PD community.

Judy Miller
Louisville, Kentucky

I am the president and executive director of The Miller Family Foundation and my foundation has been supporting MJFF since 2002. My step-mom, Irene, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 22 years ago and since then our family has been interested in the work being done to find a cure for PD.

Our family does not typically fund medical research, but we had a change of heart after we discovered MJFF. We were struck by how the Foundation brings together researchers from all around the world who would not normally work together. It convenes experts from so many different fields who all have one goal in common — to cure Parkinson’s. The Foundation is an organization doing what it set out to do and doing it in a smart way.

My family and I are optimistic about the future for Parkinson’s patients and we are hopeful that through its extraordinary work, the Foundation will find a cure for this disease.

Larry Davis
Melbourne, Florida

I was an entrepreneur, and for many years my focus was on growing and selling companies. My focus changed when I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in March 2002. I now devote my available time to understanding this disease and supporting research to find a cure.

I don’t have unlimited funds, but I’ve chosen to direct what I do have all to one place: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. I give to MJFF because I believe that this organization has what it takes to achieve its goal and to make a difference in the lives of the millions of people living with PD.

The strong and effective leadership of Michael J. Fox coupled with the intelligence, enthusiasm and care that I have observed in the Foundation’s staff lead me to believe that my money is going to research where it will have the strongest impact. The Foundation is consistently pursuing research that can impact patients' quality of life and I am confident that the cure is just ahead.

Gene Gurkoff
New York, New York

My grandfather has Parkinson's, and ever since his diagnosis I have been involved in raising money for Parkinson’s disease research. I have supported many PD organizations, but I principally support The Michael J. Fox Foundation because I believe that it is the most aggressive organization in this field. I was first introduced to the Foundation by a Board member who is a friend of my grandfather’s. I was inspired by MJFF’s commitment to find a cure for PD in this lifetime.

Fundraising possibilities are endless when an organization, like the Foundation, provides you with the tools you need and is open to unique ways to raise funds for Parkinson’s research. I’ve played in BREAKING PARkinson’s, the Foundation’s golf outing; hosted a party; and run the New York City Marathon as a member of Team Fox. 

I'm especially proud to be a part of Team Fox — it coordinates the efforts of people like me who want to raise money for Parkinson’s and it raises awareness of the disease. Team Fox brings people together as a unified group to work toward one goal, and as a participant you feel excited and optimistic every step of the way.

Rick Schwartz
Denver, Colorado

As president of the Board of Parkinson’s Association of the Rockies (PAR), it was very easy for me to convince my board of directors that we should give the Foundation all of our income that is designated to research. At PAR, our focus is on ensuring a better quality of life for patients and caregivers. Directing our funds to MJFF will help us to do so. We allocate our resources to MJFF because the quality of its efforts would be impossible for any organization to replicate and like the Foundation, we hope that we will one day be put out of business.

As a person with Parkinson’s, I know how PD impacts people’s lives. Before I was diagnosed, I had the ability to travel around the country and chase my dreams. I played professional baseball, was a teacher, an actor and eventually a sportscaster. The two things I loved the most were being able to think quickly on my feet and to play sports. Ironically, these are two things that have been taken away from me with my diagnosis of PD.

But from the first day I learned about MJFF and all the work it is doing, I gained something back: a sense of hope that someday I will be able to do these things again. This hope keeps me going.

Michael J. Fox’s leadership, the dedication of the Foundation’s staff and the research being funded there make me to feel confident every day that PAR’s funding, and my future, are in good hands.

Susan Bilotta
Jersey City, New Jersey

I wanted to make a difference for my mom and for the millions of people battling Parkinson's disease. The Foundation allows me to be involved in a way that truly adds value – working to find a cure for PD. MJFF is the only organization where all of the funding is directed toward researching how Parkinson's can be cured.

I admire Michael J. Fox for his strength and courage. He is an incredible role model for all those battling Parkinson’s, and even for those who aren’t. Not everyone could do what he does.

Supporting the Foundation makes you feel like you’re part of something that will lead to a cure. The Foundation brings together a community of people who, in one way or another, see the effects of Parkinson's disease and want to make a difference. I support MJFF because we need a cure and I believe the Foundation is going to bring us closer to that cure.

Madison Lyleroehr
Knoxville, Tennessee

My grandmother and my mother were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease around the same time. While my grandmother died two years ago, my mother continues to live with the disease every day. I have seen firsthand what a challenge it can be. Shortly after my grandmother’s death, I recorded a CD and dedicated it to her memory. Every penny of its sales goes to The Michael J. Fox Foundation. 

The choice to donate the proceeds of the CD sales to MJFF was an easy one. I continue to be impressed by how much research the Foundation funds, and how it prioritizes unique and groundbreaking projects that might not otherwise be funded.

Between the amazing research the Foundation funds, the fundraising help, and the passion and energy that Michael J. Fox himself puts into the fight against Parkinson’s, I couldn’t have more confidence that we will reach our goal to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease.

Katie Clark
Battle Creek, Michigan

There was a time in my life, not so long ago, that I could say that I didn't know anyone with Parkinson's disease but since getting involved with The Michael J. Fox Foundation, I have met many wonderful people living with PD. My involvement with the Foundation began not because I have a friend or relative living with PD, but because I was drawn to Michael's courage in facing the disease. I have a deep respect for his strength of character and his willingness to champion research that will impact millions of lives. 

After I became involved with Team Fox (as a marathon runner) I came to realize how responsibly the Foundation is run and how fully it serves its mission to find a cure. Knowing that 84 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to funding aggressive research makes it easy for me to ask friends and family to support my fundraising efforts. I am also consistently impressed with the responsiveness of the Foundation's dedicated staff and humbled by the appreciation that has been shown to me as a fundraiser. 

I hope to be able to say it again someday – that I don't know anyone with PD. Once we find a cure, everyone will be able to say it!

Ken Glowienke
Oswego, Illinois

When I was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s in 2004 at age 38, I thought my life was over. My wife knew better and found The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s Web site. Soon we were able to find a way to make something positive out of a potentially devastating event. 

We founded The Focus on a Cure Foundation for Parkinson’s. We have the ability to direct funds to many worthy programs but are committed to the work of The Michael J. Fox Foundation because of its commitment to getting the money to the researchers fast and not stockpiling it in an endowment or reserves. Those things only matter if an organization plans to stick around for the long haul, and the Foundation is working toward the opposite goal — Michael and the entire staff are working to cure PD and go out of business.

MJFF knows the future is now and it has taken on nothing short of “being in charge of finding the cure.” We respect that position and believe MJFF is the most productive place we can donate our funds.

Maureen Ashdown
Cleaveland, Ohio

My father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in January 2006 and I was fortunate to come across The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s Web site in my search for information about the disease. I have found the Foundation to be a wealth of information, providing me with a better understanding of PD. I also value the fact that all MJFF funding is allocated to find a cure.

I’m proud to be affiliated with the Foundation and I’ve been comforted to know that MJFF’s main goal is to go out of business. I am extremely honored to be a part of this amazing group of people and to know that Michael J. Fox and the Foundation staff have our loved ones in mind when they are making decisions about how to distribute the money they’ve raised. They make sure the most effective and aggressive research is being done — that gives me incredible hope for the future.

Neil Korf
New York, New York

I became aware of the Foundation when I was just a college student and even though I was young, I felt it was extremely important to contribute my efforts to the fight for a cure. The Michael J. Fox Foundation stood out in its aggressive stance on finding a cure. After my initial donation, the Foundation stayed in touch with me, particularly through newsletters providing detailed updates on where the money was going and the resulting medical developments that were occurring at a rapid pace. 

As a member of Team Fox, I discovered a devoted community all working together toward one common goal – to eradicate PD. MJFF has proved itself a leader in making PD history. I have full confidence that this Foundation, with the generous efforts of its donors and the hard work and dedication of its staff, will help give the final knockout punch to the struggle against PD, changing lives today and helping future generations forever. I am truly proud and honored to be a part of it.