Michael J. Fox has vowed to bring “everything I’ve got” to the fight against Parkinson’s disease as his own symptoms progress.
The 65-year-old actor, who was diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disorder in 1991 at age 29, spoke about the increasing physical toll of living with the condition for more than three decades. “Of course, things have gotten harder over the years,” he candidly admitted. “But I’m privileged to commit my time and energy to bringing everything I’ve got to help cure this disease.”
Fox’s defiant stance comes as his nonprofit, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, receives the Lasker-Bloomberg Public Service Award from the Lasker Foundation. The honor recognizes the organization’s pioneering work in neurological science and clinical advocacy since its launch in 2000. Over that span, the foundation has raised more than $3 billion to accelerate research, clinical trials and therapeutic development.
The Back to the Future and Family Ties star explained that his unique position—simultaneously a globally recognized Hollywood figure and a longtime patient—powers his relentless commitment. “[I knew] my name could attract attention to help us achieve our goals faster. But I also have this disease,” he said. “I know the issues and I share my community’s sense of urgency.”
Despite the progressive nature of his symptoms, Fox expressed deep optimism about recent scientific strides in biomarkers and targeted treatments. “We’re seeing more research breakthroughs every year, new drugs to help patients live well, and better tools to help scientists move faster,” he said. “It’s heartening progress. And we’re going to stay on it till the job is done.”
Calling the Lasker recognition “humbling,” Fox was quick to redirect credit toward the researchers and patients who drive the foundation’s mission. The organization is now preparing a major fundraising push aimed at securing an additional $2.5 billion for therapeutic discovery.
“The Foundation’s work is about driving toward a world without Parkinson’s. We don’t know exactly when it’ll happen, but it will happen,” Fox insisted.
He added that the scale of the challenge only reinforces his determination. “Science is hard. It’s astronomically expensive. It takes time and collaboration.”
Fox first revealed his Parkinson’s diagnosis publicly in 1998, seven years after learning he had the disease. He initially stepped back from full-time acting in the early 2000s as symptoms advanced, though he has continued occasional screen work and became one of the most visible advocates for Parkinson’s research through his foundation’s fundraising and awareness campaigns.
The foundation’s $2.5 billion upcoming fundraising drive represents its most ambitious effort yet to push toward what Fox and his team believe is an achievable goal: a world without Parkinson’s disease.