4 Fox Focus | In Memoriam
Remembering Lily Safra
The Michael J . Fox Foundation honors the extraordinary legacy of a world-class philanthropist whose support changed the course of Parkinson ’ s disease research and care .
The Michael J . Fox Foundation lost a generous partner and the world lost a visionary philanthropist with the passing of Lily Safra in July . Mrs . Safra leaves a legacy of serving others through her unmatched generosity and immense compassion for humanity . As chairwoman of the Edmond J . Safra Foundation for more than 20 years , Mrs . Safra provided transformative support to hundreds of organizations around the world in the name of her late husband , Edmond J . Safra . Her philanthropy extended to education , science and medicine , religion , culture and humanitarian relief .
Edmond J . Safra lived with Parkinson ’ s disease , and Mrs . Safra was passionately invested in finding a cure . Guided by a deep understanding of the Parkinson ’ s family experience , she became one of The Michael J . Fox Foundation ’ s earliest and most important champions . Within months of MJFF ’ s launch , she joined the Foundation ’ s Board of Directors , setting in motion a cascade of grant-making over the next two decades that undoubtedly changed the course of Parkinson ’ s disease research and care .
“ Lily ’ s friendship was instrumental in establishing our path and expanding our work further than we could have dreamed ,” said Michael J . Fox and Tracy Pollan . “ She sharpened our vision and lent us her strength so that we might make a greater difference in the lives of all people and families touched by Parkinson ’ s disease . We will be grateful forever .”
A seasoned and strategic philanthropist , Mrs . Safra was keenly aware of the opportunity to transform the Parkinson ’ s experience through long-term commitments by the Edmond J . Safra Foundation . Brought into key conversations at critical junctures throughout MJFF ’ s short history , she was a stalwart advocate for MJFF ’ s biggest and boldest scientific initiatives . Her breathtaking personal generosity was paired with her work through the Edmond J . Safra Foundation , which has been a seminal partner to MJFF throughout our existence .
In 2003 , Mrs . Safra ’ s visionary support allowed MJFF to establish the Edmond J . Safra Global Genetics Consortia resulting in the first