Michael J. Fox honored for Parkinson’s disease advocacy

Actor Michael J. Fox has received two major honors for his decades of advocacy and research funding for Parkinson’s disease.

On October 2, Fox was promoted to Companion of the Order of Canada, the nation’s highest civilian honor, during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. This recognition follows his 2010 appointment as an Officer of the Order and highlights his impact through The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which he founded in 2000. The foundation has become the largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s research globally.

Additionally, Fox was recently awarded the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award by the Television Academy at the 76th Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. During his acceptance, Fox reflected on his 1991 diagnosis at age 29, noting that he initially kept the condition secret due to fears regarding his career and public perception.