Michael J. Fox's diagnosis of Parkinson's disease has had a profound impact on his life and career. In 1991, at the age of 29, he first noticed a twitch in his left pinky finger. Several years and misdiagnoses later, he was finally diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1998. Initially, he kept his diagnosis a secret from the public and continued to work in Hollywood. However, as his symptoms worsened, he eventually went public with his diagnosis in 2000. Since then, he has become a vocal advocate for Parkinson's disease research and has founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which has raised millions of dollars to fund research into a cure for the disease. Despite the challenges posed by his condition, Fox has continued to act and has even incorporated his Parkinson's symptoms into some of his roles. His diagnosis has also led him to take a step back from his acting career in order to focus on his health and his advocacy work. Through it all, he has remained an inspiration to many people with Parkinson's disease and a beacon of hope for those searching for a cure.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 2000 by actor Michael J. Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1998. The foundation's mission is to find a cure for Parkinson's disease through research and advocacy. To achieve this goal, the foundation funds scientific research builds partnerships between researchers and industry, and provides resources and support to people with Parkinson's disease and their families. Since its inception, the foundation has raised over $1 billion to fund Parkinson's disease research, making it the largest non-profit funder of Parkinson's disease research in the world. The foundation's work has led to breakthroughs in understanding the disease and developing new treatments, and it continues to be a driving force in the search for a cure.