Fall / Winter 2023 | Research 9
As a person living with PD , I try to be optimistic — for myself , my husband , family and friends . I do that , in part , by focusing on the advances in research and the scientists who are dedicating their lives to it , including my colleagues at MJFF . In 2019 , I had deep brain stimulation surgery , a procedure that turned the clock back on my disease about 15 years . I am eternally grateful to the doctors who rewired my brain , as well as the researchers who developed the tools my doctors used .
Now , I am grateful to the researchers who found the biomarker . Their work is already transforming the design , quality and speed of ongoing clinical trials and paving a new way forward in the development of new therapies to treat Parkinson ’ s . I have every confidence that they will succeed .
What the Community Is Saying ….
When the discovery of the new biomarker for Parkinson ’ s was announced last April , patients and their families and friends enthusiastically weighed in on what it means for research and their own journeys with the disease . Here are just a few of the comments from our social media channels :
“ This landmark moment brings so much hope to my Parkinson ’ s journey . What an incredible privilege to see a breakthrough in my lifetime .”
— KELLY M .
“ I ’ m 5 years diagnosed with Parkinson ’ s . I ’ m only 47 years old so positive news like this is amazing to read . Thank you .”
— CLARE R .
“ PD runs in my family and we lost my father to it in 2018 . I pray this early detection tool leads to slowing the progression !”
— MELISSA S .
“ This is amazing ! I was diagnosed with EOPD last year and was terrified of what the future would hold , now I know it holds hope .”
— EDWARD C .