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Stockholm institute honours Michael J Fox

Published: 5 Mar 10 14:28 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/25370/20100305/

Actor Michael J Fox is to receive an honorary doctorate from Stockholm's Karolinska Institutet in recognition of his work with Parkinson's disease.

Fox, a Canadian-born American actor, will receive the award at a ceremony in New York on March 5th "in recognition of his work raising funds and awareness for Parkinson's disease as the founder of the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF)," the institute said in a statement.

The foundation has awarded over $175 million to Parkinson's drug development research around the world, including Karolinska Institutet, according to the statement.

"In its short history, the Michael J Fox Foundation has gained the admiration and respect of the worldwide research community for its rigorous scientific standards and its commitment to quickly and aggressively fund high-impact therapeutic development," said the institute's dean, Clara H. Gumpert.

Michael J. Fox was born in Canada in 1961 and as an actor is perhaps best known for his work in the 1980s teen movie classics Back to the Future and Teenwolf, as well as the long running TV sitcom, Spin City.

He is the author of two best-selling memoirs with a third book to be published in April 2010. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991 and shared this information with the general public in 1998.

In 2000 he founded MJFF, today the world's largest private funder of Parkinson's research.

"I'm grateful to the Board of Research for this tremendous honour," said Michael J. Fox on hearing of the award.

"It's especially meaningful because our Foundation and Karolinska Institutet share a belief in the power of scientific endeavour to create a future that is better for everyone," he said.

Peter Vinthagen Simpson
news@thelocal.se
+46 8 656 6518

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15:53 March 5, 2010 by BravoTango
It is wonderful to know that some people who have become famous for their ability to entertain us, are willing to put their money and talents back into society to the betterment of others. Michael's illness certainly is a catalyst for his charitable activities, but he is not afraid to put himself in the spotlight and bring awareness to this dibilitating problem. Congratulations on your award.
16:51 March 5, 2010 by peropaco
Congratulations Michael.
20:08 March 5, 2010 by glaciator
What a legend
02:08 March 6, 2010 by dizzymoe33
Way to go Michael Fox that is wonderful news. Hopefully they will be able to find a cure soon so many people around the world suffer from this disease.
12:56 March 6, 2010 by Dr. Dillner
I love to read news like this. Wish there was more of it in the world.
06:09 March 10, 2010 by mkvgtired
Anyone who knows someone who has suffered from this disease appreciates what Michael J Fox has done to bring awareness. Thanks also to the Swedish university.
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