5 Fox Focus | Special Feature
2000
2001
MJFF launches. Proceeds from the sale of Michael’ s first memoir, The New York Times bestselling Lucky Man, seeds funding for the Foundation’ s first research grants.
The Foundation issues its first call for research funding. The response is overwhelming: Our staff spends a full day opening 200 grant applications received through postal mail from researchers in 20 countries. Two months later, MJFF announces funding for 15 research grants totaling $ 1.5 million.
2003
The Edmond J. Safra Genetics Consortia is created to meet the need for worldwide collaboration around Parkinson’ s research. Today, thanks in large part to Foundation-backed research, more than 130 Parkinson’ s genetic targets have been identified leading to new hypotheses about the role genes play in disease onset and progression.
2006
In response to a tremendous outpouring of community interest and support, the Foundation launches Team Fox, our peer-to-peer grassroots fundraising program. In its first year, Team Fox raises $ 1.2 million for PD research. By the end of 2024, Team Fox donors will raise over $ 140 million.
2002
Responding to a field-wide call for better measures of disease, MJFF takes a first step toward biomarker research and announces a multi-million dollar initiative to develop or validate a conclusive, biological test for Parkinson’ s.
Michael and boxing legend Muhammad Ali testify before Congress in an early attempt to galvanize the federal government to fund Parkinson’ s research.
2008
MJFF is described in The New York Times as“ the most credible voice on Parkinson’ s research in the world,” crediting our innovative approach to research funding and collaborative work with biotech and pharmaceutical companies.
2009
The Foundation launches our Patient Council, formalizing Michael’ s vision to give people with PD a seat at the table. The Council advises MJFF— and the broader research community— on patient priorities and education and the role patients play in research.