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Other Ways to Advocate for Your Loved One
Participate in Research
Joining a research study may feel impossible when your days already feel too long. Yet many care partners describe research participation as a way to gain control when so much else feels uncertain. It is also a way to give back to your loved one, the Parkinson’ s community and future generations. Research connects you to something larger than yourself, which bolsters brain health and overall well-being.
Research participation is also a way to advocate. Some studies focus on care partner experiences and needs. Adding your voice can shape the services and resources available to families like yours. Other studies aim to improve brain health, understand Parkinson’ s more deeply, test new treatments or develop better diagnostic tools. Many of these studies need volunteers both with and without Parkinson’ s. You could help your loved one enroll, accompany them to in-person visits or help them complete online questionnaires, or even join the same study.
There’ s a research option for everyone, no matter your schedule or interest. Some studies examine new medications or tests; others collect information about symptoms or day-to-day experiences. Some are one-time only while others track blood tests, brain scans, walking, thinking and more over time to distinguish normal aging from disease-related change. Formats differ, too: Studies could involve online surveys, phone interviews, single in-person visits or periodic follow-up every few months. The Foundation’ s landmark study, the Parkinson’ s Progression Markers Initiative, launched in 2010, follows people with and without Parkinson’ s over time to learn how the disease starts and changes to develop better tools and treatments. Visit michaeljfox. org / ppmi to learn more.
Every therapy available today, and every step toward tomorrow’ s cure, exists because of the generosity of people who volunteer for research. To explore current Parkinson’ s studies, visit foxtrialfinder. org.
Michael S. Fitts( left) and Grace and Leonard Chandler attended the 2025 Parkinson’ s Policy Forum in Washington, D. C. to advocate for policy change.
Engage in Policy Advocacy
Public policy and advocacy are also areas where your voice can make a difference. As a policy advocate, you can shape state and federal policies on topics across Parkinson’ s research and care— from environmental influences on disease and research funding to telemedicine and other care access challenges. By sharing your personal story and experiences with policymakers, you put a face to a disease they may not otherwise know. You help them understand what truly matters to those living with Parkinson’ s and inspire action to drive change.
Anyone can be an advocate, and every action counts. Advocates can send emails or call lawmakers, sign petitions or meet with elected officials( virtually or in person). These simple steps, multiplied across hundreds of thousands of voices, can lead to meaningful policy wins for the Parkinson’ s community.
Visit michaeljfox. org / advocacy to learn more and become a Parkinson’ s policy advocate.
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