Fall / Winter 2022 | In Memoriam 5
“ Lily ’ s friendship was instrumental in establishing our path and expanding our work further than we could have dreamed .”
— Michael J . Fox and Tracy Pollan genome-wide association study of Parkinson ’ s , a vital step in identifying genetic changes linked to the disease . Over subsequent years this program would come to revolutionize scientific understanding of the genetics of PD , opening avenues of research still avidly pursued to this day .
A true paragon of the power of philanthropy to catalyze scientific breakthroughs , Mrs . Safra provided the first individual leadership gift to MJFF ’ s landmark clinical study , the Parkinson ’ s Progression Markers Initiative , in 2010 . Since then , the study has changed how research is done and what scientists know about the brain . It is a cornerstone of our understanding of disease and has heavily influenced clinical trial design and spurred a significant increase in industry investment in PD . The study ’ s extraordinary growth is possible because of the uninterrupted flow of support from the Edmond J . Safra Foundation and Mrs . Safra .
In an effort to address the worldwide shortage of movement disorder specialists ( neurologists with specific training in Parkinson ’ s disease ), the Edmond J . Safra Foundation partnered with MJFF in 2014 to establish The Edmond J . Safra Fellowship in Movement Disorders . The program provides funding for clinical centers to train more clinician-researcher neurologists worldwide , effectively growing the global base of movement disorder specialists treating people with Parkinson ’ s and contributing to research toward new and improved treatments .
In 2020 , MJFF honored Mrs . Safra ’ s remarkable 20 years of leadership giving and strategic collaboration with the inaugural
Edmond J . Safra Humanitarian Award . The award recognized her decades-long commitment to speeding a Parkinson ’ s cure and bettering quality of life for people and families living with the disease .
“ Mrs . Safra was a true giant of philanthropy and someone we have been privileged to know and work with from the beginning ,” said MJFF CEO Debi Brooks . “ Her compassionate spirit will remain a constant source of inspiration for us all .”