Michael J. Fox is a renowned actor and activist, who was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease in 1991 when he was just 29 years old. Since then, Fox has been an advocate for Parkinson’s research and has raised more than $1 billion dollars towards finding a cure (Deadline).
However, despite his work towards finding a cure, Fox recently spoke candidly about his struggles with Parkinson’s and mortality. In an interview with Jane Pauley, set to air on “CBS Sunday Morning” on April 30th, Fox discusses the progression of the disease and how “every day it gets tougher” (CBS News).
The actor also expressed his uncertainty about reaching the age of 80, citing the challenges of living with Parkinson’s: “I’m not going to make 80!” (PerthNow). Fox’s comments about mortality come from a place of personal experience, as he has been living with Parkinson’s for over 30 years.
Despite these challenges, Fox continues to maintain a positive outlook and has been open about his optimism for Parkinson’s research. He stated in the same interview with Pauley that “we’re closer now [to finding a cure] than we’ve ever been” (CBS News).
Fox’s foundation, The Michael J. Fox Foundation, has been instrumental in funding research for Parkinson’s disease. Recently, the foundation backed a group of scientists who found a biomarker that can help determine if people have Parkinson’s disease (STAT News).
Even in the face of adversity, Fox remains a beacon of hope and an inspiration to those living with Parkinson’s disease. His determination and dedication to finding a cure for the illness continues to motivate others to push towards better treatment and ultimately, a cure for this debilitating disease.
