TOGETHER: CATALYZED COMMUNITIES
THE MICHAEL J. FOX FOUNDATION 2025 YEAR IN REVIEW
Hope and Persistence Our Policy Strategy
In 2025, we welcomed Dan Feehan, our first chief Q & A policy and government affairs officer, to the
Foundation. Here, Dan shares his vision for the future of Parkinson’ s policy and advocacy.
It’ s been a big year of change and uncertainty in public policy. What do you want the Parkinson’ s community to know in this moment?
It’ s important to be hopeful, adaptive and persistent. I’ m hopeful because states are stepping up to fund research like never before. There’ s no better example than Texas, where on Election Day, voters will decide the outcome of a landmark bill allotting $ 3 billion for brain disease research over the next 10 years.
Adaptability helps us find new opportunities— like we did in Texas and other states— and make the most of them. And persistence makes sure that our advocacy outlasts the uncertainty.
Banding together with a unified voice is a powerful way for the Parkinson’ s community to break through to policymakers, especially in times of uncertainty. They need to hear from patients who know firsthand how today’ s research builds on yesterday’ s and how it shapes tomorrow’ s progress.
Is the current climate changing MJFF’ s approach to policy and advocacy? Has the National Parkinson’ s Project been affected?
Our work remains as urgent as ever. Last year, Congress passed the National Parkinson’ s Project( NPP) legislation because of the urgency for cures expressed by tens of thousands of you— our passionate advocates.
But bill passage is just the beginning. Developing a wholeof-government approach to ending Parkinson’ s is a major
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