From Health magazine
Next spring marks the return of Michael J. Fox to the forum he knows best—acting. He will play a wheelchair-bound love interest in the acclaimed firefighter drama Rescue Me on FX. The 47-year-old actor was last seen on TV in Boston Legal in 2006. So where’s he been? Battling Parkinson’s disease and stumping for help.
Fox was diagnosed in 1991. And in 1998 he had a successful thalamotomy, a brain operation designed to reduce Parkinson’s symptoms, particularly certain tremors. But he still takes daily meds to control his symptoms, and these drugs are far from perfect. Parkinson’s patients lose the ability to make the brain chemical dopamine, and the meds restore that ability—temporarily. Experts say that new treatments are desperately needed.
What about stem cells? Back in 2006, Fox went to bat for political candidates supporting publicly funded research into embryonic stem cells, the ones taken from unwanted embryos in fertility clinics. One day these cells may help cure diseases like Parkinson’s. The actor’s stance brought him ridicule from talk-show host Rush Limbaugh, who accused Fox of undermedicating so his symptoms would be noticeable on TV and help his cause. But the misguided criticism only energized him. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research has now poured $126 million into research on treatments and a cure.
Both the political squabbles and scientific research on stem cells are ongoing. Many experts say embryonic research should be pursued, even as nonembryonic research goes forward. A potentially huge advance occurred this summer: Led by an investigator at Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Maryland, scientists converted cells from people with diseases like Parkinson’s into a set of new stem cells. In the future, these cells might be re-engineered to correct genetic errors and implanted for treatment.
Gene therapies and drug advancements are also in the pipeline. But Fox knows that defeating Parkinson’s will require much more effort. “I’m grateful for my meds,” he says. “But it’s a little frustrating that the best drug we’ve got has been around for 40 years.” He hopes that changes … soon.
Related Links:
Comments (12)
I have a question? I want to know if Michael J. Fox has tried a product calld StemEnhance? This product seems to support the realese of tne natural stem cells from the bone marrow. It has done wonders for me. If there is any one who knows the email for Michael J. Fox please email me.
I want him to feel normal agan.
Timothy demissie
978-532-8866
timnoni@msn.com
I also found this
Now that MJF request for the people of the U.S. to fund embryonic stem cell research. I hope he understands that it required the destruction of the embryo. We were all embryos at one time. How can anyone promote this. Trading one life for another.
Will people stop at nothing to promote their own miserable existence at the expense of another.
I hope the people who supported this including Mr Obama can sleep with what they are doing.
Is a celebrities life worth more than Baby Jane the embryo????????
Michael should look up Quantum Energetics and find someone who does the work in his area.
Do your research. Do you think only celebrities get Parkinsons?? I’ve watched my father deteriorate over the last 10 years, he’s only 78,is in pain,can’t walk, is losing his ability to speak, and his meds have reached their peak. My husband, ironically , was just diagnosed with Parkinsons. Now I have to watch two people I love suffer. We are not famous. We are normal people just looking for a cure to a terrible disease. “Baby Jane embryo”,and I stress “embyro” would be happy to be a part of finding a way to end the pain and suffering of a lot of families.
I have recently got involved with a company who has nutrition products. one of the products is called soul. it has helped ppl who have this disease decrease all their symptoms.. u should check it out.. Dr arnold s leonard is the one who researched it. He is a cancer research dr who has been doing research for the last 20 yrs.. leave me a comment if ur interested..
I have mailed some holistic information to Michael care of the Research Foundation. It was received on April 6th. I have spoken with Janet at the Foundation several times, but am unsure whether he actually gets this information. I want to know if he has tried any of the things that I mentioned. Is there a way to email this info to him directly?
I just hope that the influx of funds are not becoming the reason for the research. As we all know, there will be more funds when there are disorders to be researched which can sometimes become the motivation. Explore natural medicines. I had an occasional tingling in my left finger for more than 3 years which sometimes spread to half of my middle finger. I went back to basic Vitamins plus B complexes, it took months to disappear, but it did. I do not call that a miracle.
Meds will kill you and the real problem is eating food like bread, pasta, processed wheat/grains, it causes a disconnect in the body a short circuit as it were. Gluten is called Glue-t-on for a reason. Please do not spend money on research when the research has already been done, at least the real research, the honesty. It is that simple!! Michael, please use your incredible mind and show them the truth. God Bless!!
Is thhere anybody out there who knows how to get in touch with Michael J. Fox?
I know of a product that has helped people all over the world. I have had life changing results with this product.
For more information email me at:
lauren46311@yahoo.com
You will be glad you did!