22 Fox Focus | Community
Hope Starts with Us
By Jess Cavallaro
JENIFER WESTPHAL NOTICED the first subtle changes in 2023— a dragging left leg, tremors in her hand and unusual fatigue that kept her from her daily walks. At first, Jennifer, 63, of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, brushed these symptoms aside; her husband had just been diagnosed with cancer, and her own health could wait. By the summer of 2024, her symptoms had worsened, and a neurologist gave her a diagnosis she never could have imagined: Parkinson’ s disease.
The news came with an unexpected sense of relief. A prescribed medication lifted a deep depression she hadn’ t realized she was living with.“ Within 10 days, I was a brand-new person,” said Jenifer.“ My energy came back, and I could focus on what I needed to do to stay well— yoga, walking, stretching and sleeping better.”
With steadier health and a clearer outlook, Jenifer began thinking about where she could make the greatest impact. Before running her film company, she worked in charitable giving and learned that the most meaningful contributions are rooted in personal connection. Her husband’ s experience with innovative cancer treatments had already shown her the power of well-funded research( years of clinical trial results had given him access to life-saving therapies).
“ When you know your gift can create real impact, it brings you joy— and that’ s exactly how I feel supporting this research.”
“ This work saved his life,” she said.“ When I learned that The Michael J. Fox Foundation is the world’ s leader in funding cutting-edge Parkinson’ s research, I knew this was where I wanted to invest.”
Soon after her diagnosis, Jenifer and her husband made a donation to advance MJFF’ s mission.“ When you know your gift can create real impact, it brings you joy— and that’ s exactly how I feel supporting this research.”
Jenifer Westphal, founder and CEO of production studio Wavelength, with her husband Jeff.
Her advice to others considering a gift:“ Give as much as you can. Join in the excitement. You’ ll be funding work that has the power to change lives— including your own or someone you love.”